What is genetic counseling?
Genetic counseling is a process that includes collecting a detailed personal and family history, a risk assessment, and a discussion of the genetic testing options. The risks, benefits and limitations of the available testing options and personalized cancer screening and risk reduction recommendations are also discussed during the counseling sessions. For more information about these sessions please see Steps of our Program.
Genetic counseling is a service which is offered to patients who may be at risk of inherited diseases. It is also offered to expecting parents who are concerned about the genes which they may pass down. A genetic counseling session is designed to open communication, providing useful medical facts and helping patients make decisions and advocate for themselves with medical professionals. This medical field has been around since the 1970s; the first genetic counseling training program in the United States opened in 1971. Requirements to become a genetic counselor vary, depending on the region in which one wishes to practice. As a general rule, candidates complete a master’s program in genetics and counseling, and then they must pass an examination administered by a national genetic counseling program. During their training, genetic counselors will have a chance to interact with patients in a clinical setting, and to amass fieldwork hours which will help them professionally. There are sev
Genetic counseling is the process of determining the risk you have of passing on an inheritable disease to your baby. Genetic counseling involves a specially trained health care professional who identifies families at risk, investigates the problem present in the family, interprets information about the disorder, analyzes inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and reviews available options with the family.
