Genetic counseling provides information about how genetic conditions affect you or your family. A trained counselor collects your personal and family health history, and that information helps determine how likely you or a family member is to have a genetic condition. Counseling can also help you decide whether genetic testing is appropriate, and follow-up counseling can explain test results and treatment options when testing takes place.
What Genetic Counseling Covers
Genetic counseling begins with a review of your personal and family health history. The counselor uses this information to assess risk, and the results can help determine whether genetic testing might be appropriate. When a provider refers you for counseling based on your history, the counselor reviews those factors and provides information that relates to your circumstances. Counseling can also help patients and families understand complex genetic information.
Counselors work within defined specialty areas. Some counselors focus on prenatal, pediatric or cancer-related concerns, and others work in fields such as cardiovascular health or psychiatry. When counseling addresses a specific concern, the counselor focuses on the factors related to that area, and the information provided reflects the reason for the referral. Different specialties address different genetic concerns.
Life Stage and Referral Timing
Providers refer patients at different life stages; the timing of that referral depends on what they need. Pre-pregnancy counseling can address genetic conditions that run in a family, infertility, multiple miscarriages, stillbirth, and assisted reproductive technology options. During pregnancy, counseling can address abnormal test results and conditions that might affect a baby, while previous pregnancies affected by a birth defect or genetic condition can also lead to a referral. Childhood counseling can address disorders identified through newborn screening, birth defects, developmental disabilities, and vision or hearing problems. Adult counseling can address symptoms or family histories linked to conditions such as hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, Lynch syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia, muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, and sickle cell disease.
Cancer Risk and Findings
Cancer-focused genetic counseling helps patients and families with a history of cancer understand and manage their risk. A counselor performs a genetic risk assessment and reviews testing options; the information can affect current cancer treatment or surgical decisions. It can provide personalized cancer screening and management recommendations, while prevention options can include surgery and chemoprevention.
What Follows a Session
A counseling session can lead to a decision about whether to proceed with genetic testing. Follow-up counseling helps explain test results and treatment options; counselors can refer patients to other healthcare providers and advocacy or support groups. When testing takes place, counseling after the test provides an opportunity to better understand the results and available options. Genetic counseling is available in person, by phone, and by video conference.
Schedule Genetic Counseling
Genetic counseling can clarify genetic information and testing options. The process begins with personal and family health history; different life stages can lead to different reasons for counseling. When genetic testing follows counseling, follow-up can explain the results and treatment options, while referrals can connect patients with other healthcare providers or support groups.
