Genogram vs Family Tree ​

A family tree shows lineage: who belongs to the family, who descends from whom, and how generations connect biologically or legally.

A genogram goes further. It keeps the family structure, but adds the information a family tree leaves out: emotional relationships, conflict, cutoffs, health conditions, repeated life events, and multi-generation patterns.

In practice, the difference is about purpose:

• Use a family tree for ancestry, genealogy, or a simple family record.
• Use a genogram for counseling, social work, education, healthcare, or any situation where family dynamics matter.

If you need to build one, start with How to Make a Genogram. If you want to see the difference in a finished diagram, review Simple Genogram Example and 3-Generation Genogram Example.

Related ​

• Genogram: The Complete Guide
• How to Make a Genogram
• Simple Genogram Example
• 3-Generation Genogram Example