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Adoptive Family Genogram Template
A genogram template mapping adoptive and biological relationships in the same family; showing correct adoption notation alongside structural and emotional lines.
Adoptive Family Genogram Template
What This Template Shows
Three generations with both adoptive and biological relationships in the same diagram.
The father and mother have one biological son and one adopted daughter (the primary person).
The adopted daughter has a close relationship with her mother and her brother, and a distant one with her father.
The adoption notation is the structural focus: the dashed adoption line from the adoptive parents to the daughter distinguishes her legal relationship from the biological child line connecting the son to the same parents.
The symbol legend is displayed below the diagram. For full definitions and clinical usage, see Genogram Symbols Explained.
When to Use This Template
- Adoption intake and post-adoption family assessment: map the adoptive family structure, the birth parent connection, and the relational dynamics around the adopted child at the start of a clinical relationship.
- Family therapy with adoptive families: document both the legal and biological family picture to ground clinical work in the adopted child's full family history.
- Social work and adoption agency documentation: establish the adoptive family structure with correct notation for case records, court documentation, or post-adoption support planning.
- Counseling and MFT coursework: meets standard requirements for assignments involving adoption, non-biological parent-child relationships, and complex family configurations.
How to Use This Template
1. Download as-is
Click the PDF or PNG button under the embed to download immediately. Use as a session reference, supervision document, or teaching example for adoption notation.
2. Customize before downloading
Click "Use this genogram" to open the template in EasyGenogram. Replace the generic labels with real or fictional names, adjust the family structure, and update the adoption lines, birth parent connections, and emotional relationship lines to reflect the actual adoptive family.
Export as PDF or PNG when done, or share via link with a supervisor or colleague.
Adoptive Family Genogram Template
Explore this genogram and adapt it to your needs.
FAQ
How do you show an adopted child in a genogram?
An adopted child is connected to their adoptive parents by a dashed vertical line; the standard adoption notation in McGoldrick-Gerson-Petry clinical genograms. This distinguishes the legal parent-child relationship from a biological one, which uses a solid vertical line. Both line types can appear in the same diagram when a family includes both biological and adopted children.
How do you show birth parents in a genogram?
Birth parents are placed in the diagram as separate individuals connected to the adopted child by a biological line. The connection shows the biological origin without implying an active parenting relationship. If the birth parent has no ongoing relationship with the child, no emotional relationship line is drawn. If there is contact, the appropriate emotional line, whether close, distant, or another type, is added between them.
How is an adoptive family genogram different from a standard family genogram?
The structure and notation are largely the same. The main difference is the use of dashed adoption lines in place of solid biological child lines for adopted children, and the inclusion of birth parents as separate figures in the diagram. A standard family genogram assumes all parent-child connections are biological unless otherwise noted. An adoptive family genogram makes the distinction between legal and biological relationships explicit throughout.
Is this template free?
Yes. Open and customize it in EasyGenogram at no cost. Export requires a subscription for most users; students with a valid school email can export free.
Can I use this for a social work or counseling assignment involving adoption?
Yes. The template follows McGoldrick-Gerson-Petry standard notation and includes the adoption lines and birth parent notation required for adoption documentation and coursework. Open it in EasyGenogram, adjust the family structure to match your assignment or case, and export as PDF for submission.