A genetic counselor is a master’s level medical professional who specializes in medical genetics and psychosocial counseling.

Many genetic counselors are people with personal connections to rare disease. To become a genetic counselor, they first need a bachelor’s degree before they can enter a genetic counseling training program. The requirements for every program vary but often include shadowing genetic counselors, volunteering/working with people with special needs, and providing counseling on a crisis hotline. Some programs also require passing the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). For more information about becoming a genetic counselor and the different genetic counseling training programs across the US and Canada, check out these links:

NSGC: "Interested in Becoming a Genetic Counselor?"

Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling - List of Accredited Training Programs

You will often find genetic counselors working in clinics or hospitals alongside doctors in specialty settings like prenatal, cancer, pediatrics, cardiology, metabolism, and neurology. Some genetic counselors are involved in research, working with study participants to gather information that can help to develop treatments and diagnostic tools for people with genetic disease.

A genetic counselor will evaluate families’ risks for inherited medical conditions and help these families to understand the implications of those risks. Individuals who are referred for genetic counseling include those who are affected with a genetic condition, suspected of being affected, family members of affected individuals, and pregnant women with a positive family history.

An initial session with a genetic counselor includes discussing the reason for referral to the genetics clinic, taking a detailed family history (usually documented on a family tree called a pedigree), and exploring any appropriate genetic testing options with patients.

The genetic test itself is what will detect any changes in your genes or DNA, and tell you what genetic conditions you have. The genetic counselor will review your test results. However, you can see a genetic counselor even if genetic testing is not available for your condition.

If you do proceed with testing, genetic counselors help you navigate the entire process. They advocate with insurance companies for testing coverage, explain test results, and provide continued emotional support. Genetic counselors also work to connect patients with appropriate resources both within health care and in social services (early intervention, support groups, advocacy organizations, etc.).

A genetic condition is the result of a change (sometimes called a variant) in a person’s DNA. DNA can be thought of as the instruction manual for all of the body’s functions. A variant in DNA is like a spelling mistake that alters the meaning of some of the instructions so that a particular bodily process can not be carried out properly. Sometimes these DNA variants are inherited from one generation to the next or sometimes a person is the first one in their family with the variant. Our understanding of genetic diseases has grown over time so it is possible that in the past family members from previous generations may have had a genetic disease that went undiagnosed.

The benefits of testing include relief from uncertainty and providing information to help manage healthcare. Unnecessary treatments or screening can be avoided based on negative results and positive results can guide patients to appropriate prevention, monitoring, and treatment. Genetic test results can also allow family members to make informed decisions regarding family planning.

Genetic testing is always optional. Some people decide not to pursue testing because of the emotional, social, and financial consequences. Test results may lead to anxiety (living with the knowledge of having increased risk for a disease), anger (receiving a diagnosis with serious medical consequences), or guilt (testing negative for a disease when a family member is positive). Since genetic issues are shared among family members, testing can cause strain if results from one person also reveal information about a family member who does not wish to know this information. Patients may also encounter genetic discrimination in long-term care insurance, disability insurance, or life insurance and be denied coverage or have increased premiums if they have a positive test result.

Myth: The purpose of genetic counseling is to create “designer babies”.

Fact: Genetic counselors will not tell you what reproductive decisions to make and do not genetically modify babies. They do make you aware of reproductive options available to you and offer support to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Myth: Genetic counselors will force patients into testing.

Fact: Genetic testing is always optional! If testing could be considered for you or your child, a genetic counselor will discuss the benefits, risks, and limitations of testing and then help you to make a decision on if testing is right for you.

Myth: Genetic counselors provide in-depth therapy.

Fact: Genetic counselors certainly have the skills to discuss the emotional issues that can surround a genetic diagnosis or genetic testing but they are not licensed therapists or psychologists. They are available to listen to your story and concerns and help you through what could potentially be a difficult time.

Myth: Genetic testing is painful and invasive.

Fact: Most genetic testing involves a small blood draw or in some cases can even be done with a sample of your saliva. Phlebotomists who take the blood sample are trained to minimize pain as much as possible. Your health care team does not want to see you in pain anymore that you do!

Myth: A genetic counselor is a doctor or nurse.

Fact: Genetic counselors receive specialized training in human genetics and counseling through a master’s degree program. They do not have to go to medical school or nursing school to get their degree. However, they do have to pass a board exam administered by the American Board of Genetic Counseling in order to be certified to do their work and complete continuing education to keep this certification. While they work closely with doctors and nurses as a part of the health care team, their title is different and they fill a specialized role.

Myth: Patients will lose health insurance coverage if they have genetic testing.

Fact: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 is a federal law that prevents discrimination in the workplace and by health insurance companies based on an individual’s genetic test results. However, this law does not protect against discrimination by life insurance, long-term care insurance, or disability insurance companies and the protections that GINA offers may be different if you are in the military.

About Genetic Counselors
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)’s patient-centered website. NSGC is the main governing body for genetic counselors in the US and Canada.

Find a Genetic Counselor
National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)’s directory to help the public connect with an appropriate genetic counselor
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Genetics Home Reference
​National Institutes of Health (NIH) websites for patient-centered genetics information with comprehensive, disease-specific pages