About Genetic Counseling
What Is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical and psychological implications of inherited or genetic disease.
Some examples include:
Some examples include:
- Education about specific genetic or hereditary conditions
- How inherited or genetic diseases may be passed through a family
- How family and medical history can influence risk for developing disease
- Options for genetic testing, what testing might be appropriate and what those results mean
- Legal and ethical considerations for genetic testing and genetic test results
- How to make the most informed choices about healthcare conditions
- The potential impact of genetic information on family relationships or dynamics
what is a genetic counselor?
Genetic counselors are specially trained healthcare professionals with background and experience in medical genetics and counseling. Most genetic counselors have a Master's-level Genetic Counseling degree from a graduate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) and are certified through the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC).
Genetic Counselors work as members of a healthcare team to assess family history, provide education about inherited conditions or support individuals at risk for developing inherited conditions. They assist in decision-making, interpreting genetic testing results and helping individuals and families process the meaning of genetic information. Additionally, genetic counselors can work for genetic testing companies to optimize patient care by educating healthcare providers or by assisting in the interpretation of genetic test results.
Genetic Counselors work as members of a healthcare team to assess family history, provide education about inherited conditions or support individuals at risk for developing inherited conditions. They assist in decision-making, interpreting genetic testing results and helping individuals and families process the meaning of genetic information. Additionally, genetic counselors can work for genetic testing companies to optimize patient care by educating healthcare providers or by assisting in the interpretation of genetic test results.
What do genetic counselors do?
Genetic counselors work in many areas of medicine and their job responsibilities are unique to each specific role. The main specialty areas of clinical genetic counseling include cancer, prenatal, pediatric and adult genetics. There are many other sub-specialties that include neurology, cardiology and metabolic genetics, etc. Some other genetic counselors work outside a clinical setting in research, education, public health, laboratory or corporate settings.
While each specific role is different, all genetic counselors have an in-depth understanding of genetic conditions and genetic testing. They are able to interpret the meaning of genetic test results, explain information clearly to patients or other healthcare providers, and support emotional needs of individuals impacted by genetic information.
While each specific role is different, all genetic counselors have an in-depth understanding of genetic conditions and genetic testing. They are able to interpret the meaning of genetic test results, explain information clearly to patients or other healthcare providers, and support emotional needs of individuals impacted by genetic information.
what happens during a genetic counseling session?
During a genetic counseling session, a genetic counselor will address and talk about any concerns for genetic conditions in a family. They will ask very specific medical and family history questions to map out a genetic family tree, also called a pedigree. Pedigrees help to identify patterns in a family that may be informative about genetic risk. Based on this information, genetic counselors can determine risk for a condition, provide additional medical information about that condition, discuss the benefits and limitations of any genetic testing that may be available, and help patients make informed decisions about their health care.
If a patient decides to undergo genetic testing, genetic counselors are available to help order the testing, interpret the test results as it applies to one individual or a family, and provide emotional support for the impact of that genetic information. They can also provide high quality, accurate patient educational resources and contact information for support groups.
Most patients will meet in-person with a genetic counselor one to two times. While most genetic counseling is provided in-person, there are alternative options available for patients who may not live close to a medical facility with a genetic counselor or who may not be able to travel. There are now consultation services available by telephone, videoconferencing, and the internet.
If a patient decides to undergo genetic testing, genetic counselors are available to help order the testing, interpret the test results as it applies to one individual or a family, and provide emotional support for the impact of that genetic information. They can also provide high quality, accurate patient educational resources and contact information for support groups.
Most patients will meet in-person with a genetic counselor one to two times. While most genetic counseling is provided in-person, there are alternative options available for patients who may not live close to a medical facility with a genetic counselor or who may not be able to travel. There are now consultation services available by telephone, videoconferencing, and the internet.
do genetic counselors have specialties?
Genetic counselors play a very important role in many different areas of medicine. The main specialty areas of clinical genetic counseling include cancer, prenatal, pediatric and adult genetics.
There are many other sub-specialties that include, but are not limited to:
There are many other sub-specialties that include, but are not limited to:
- Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)/Infertility Genetics
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Connective Tissue Disorder Genetics
- Hematology Genetics
- Metabolic Genetics
- Neurogenetics
- Personalized Medicine Genetics
who should see a genetic counselor?
Genetic counseling is appropriate in a variety of different clinical situations.
For patients, the best way to find a genetic counselor is by talking with your doctor. Genetic counselors can also be located based on name, location and area of specialty by using the National Society of Genetic Counselor's Find A Genetic Counselor tool.
- Pregnancy-Related Testing:
- Carrier screening for a couple or screening for a known genetic condition
- Routine testing of pregnancy to assess risk for chromosomal conditions (such as Down syndrome)
- For pregnancies at increased risk for a genetic condition due to maternal age, abnormal test results or abnormal findings on ultrasound
- Diagnosis of a genetic condition in a close family member
- Family or personal history of cancer, birth defects or other complex disease (such as heart defects)
- Guidance on how to discuss and share genetic information with family members
For patients, the best way to find a genetic counselor is by talking with your doctor. Genetic counselors can also be located based on name, location and area of specialty by using the National Society of Genetic Counselor's Find A Genetic Counselor tool.
is genetic counseling covered by health insurance?
Health insurance will usually pay for genetic testing when it is recommended by a genetic counselor or doctor. It is still important to check with an insurance provider to verify coverage before having genetic testing. Genetic testing policies different from company to company, test to test. As with some other diagnostic or medical tests, patients may be responsible for an out of pocket cost.
how can i become a genetic counselor?
Genetic counseling is a rapidly growing, in-demand field. In order to become a Certified Genetic Counselor by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), one must obtain a Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC). There are currently 34 colleges and universities across the United States and Canada with master's degree programs in genetic counseling.
For more information about admission requirements and Genetic Counseling graduate programs, please visit NSGC's Genetic Counseling Training page. You can also find information on both the ABGC and ACGC websites.
For more information about admission requirements and Genetic Counseling graduate programs, please visit NSGC's Genetic Counseling Training page. You can also find information on both the ABGC and ACGC websites.
how can i find a genetic counselor?
For patients, the best way to find a genetic counselor is by talking with your doctor. Genetic counselors can also be located based on name, location and area of specialty by using the National Society of Genetic Counselor's Find A Genetic Counselor tool.
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