Genetic counseling helps you understand your genes, assess inherited risks, and prepare for informed health and family planning decisions.
Genetic counseling is a professional service that helps individuals and families understand how genetics may affect their health, reproductive decisions, or the health of other family members. It is provided by trained healthcare professionals—genetic counselors—who combine expertise in genetics with counseling skills to support informed decision-making.
At its core, genetic counseling involves interpreting personal and family medical histories, assessing the likelihood of inherited conditions, and explaining genetic testing options. A genetic counselor may discuss the benefits, limitations, and possible outcomes of testing, as well as the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic information. Importantly, genetic counseling is non-directive: the counselor’s role is to provide clear, accurate information and support, not to tell patients what decisions to make.
People seek genetic counseling for many reasons. These include a personal or family history of genetic conditions, cancer risk assessment, planning a pregnancy, abnormal prenatal screening results, or interpreting results from genetic tests, including direct-to-consumer testing. Genetic counseling can occur before testing (to help decide whether testing is appropriate) or after testing (to understand and act on results).
How to Prepare for a Genetic Counseling Session
Preparation can significantly improve the value of a genetic counseling appointment. First, gather relevant family medical history, ideally covering at least three generations. This includes known diagnoses, ages at diagnosis, causes of death, and any previous genetic testing results among relatives. Even approximate information can be helpful.
Second, collect your own medical records that relate to the reason for the referral, such as pathology reports, imaging results, or prior genetic test reports. Bringing written documentation reduces uncertainty and allows for more precise risk assessment.
Third, reflect on your goals and questions. Consider what prompted the referral, what decisions you may be facing, and what concerns you have—medical, emotional, or practical. Writing these down in advance helps ensure they are addressed during the session.
Finally, be prepared for discussion beyond technical details. Genetic counseling often touches on uncertainty, family communication, and personal values. Approaching the session with openness and curiosity allows the counselor to tailor information and support to your specific situation, ultimately enabling more confident and informed choices.
