Definitions and Goals of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

The definition of genetic counseling has evolved from being proscriptive to the triumvirate of patient education, facilitating informed decision making, and adaptation to a risk or condition. This definition, endorsed by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, has been widely cited and used in graduate training around the globe. Despite significant advances in the roles of genetic counselors, the central tenets of counseling remain. Our practice model was previously described as psychoeducational but has evolved to psychotherapeutic to emphasize relational counseling. The goals of genetic counseling are specific, vary by subspecialty, and evolve with advances in genomic science. In the cancer setting much of genetic counseling is about cancer risk and the potential value of predictive testing to inform choices, whereas in the pediatric setting, the goal is to diagnose or determine a cause for a child’s condition.