There are many different definitions about what Genetic or Genomic Counselling is and, in truth, almost every session is different!!  The title itself can be misleading; genetic counsellors use a variety of counselling skills in their work, but they are not "counsellors" specifically.  

What does a genetic counsellor do?

A genetic counsellor’s main role is to help patients and their relatives understand the genetic diagnosis that has been made, to understand how it has occurred and how it may be passed on, so that ultimately that they can make informed decisions about managing their risks and planning a family.

As such there is 4 main areas which Genetic Counsellors cover:

• Collecting information and carrying out genetic risk assessment(s)
• Communicating information to patients and/or other health professionals
• Supporting patients/relatives decide on a management strategy that is right for them
• Providing support to patients and their families

How can a genetic counsellor help members?

When a genetic diagnosis is made often some of the first questions patients ask are…

• Will my relatives get ill?
• Are my children at risk?
• What can I do to protect relatives from harm?
• How do we get genetic testing?

A genetic counsellor can help to answer each of these questions, as well as offer help support in helping patients adjusting emotionally to your diagnosis.