About genetic counsellors
Genetic counsellors are health professionals qualified in genetics and genetic counselling. They work as part of teams, most often with clinical geneticists. Genetic counsellors might also work with other medical specialists including oncologists, obstetricians, neurologists and cardiologists.
If you have a genetic condition in your family, genetic counsellors can help you learn about the condition, including:
- how the condition might change over time
- how the condition might affect your life
- whether other family members are likely to get the condition
- whether future pregnancies might be affected by the condition and whether you can avoid this
- whether you can prevent other family members getting the condition
- how you can connect with other families with similar genetic conditions
- whether genetic testing is a good option for you and your family
- how you can get support for yourself and your family.
Genetic counsellors can give you information, help you make informed decisions, or suggest lifestyle changes to help you manage the condition.
Genetic counsellors are trained to respect and think about your family circumstances, beliefs and values. They can help you understand complicated information and come to terms with uncertainty or anxiety about the future.
Genetic counsellors can also help you adapt to having a genetic condition yourself or having a genetic condition in your family.
Why you might see a genetic counsellor
If it looks like you have a genetic condition or a genetic condition runs in your family, a genetic counsellor’s most important job is making sure you have all the information you need. This includes information about genetic testing. It’s also their job to support you practically and emotionally.
You might see a genetic counsellor in these situations:
- A condition seems to run in your family and there’s concern that you or your children might get it.
- A child in your family has a serious problem that affects growth, development or health, and there’s concern that the problem has a genetic cause.
- You and your partner are closely related and are thinking of having a child.
- You’re pregnant and tests have picked up an increased chance of a genetic condition in your baby or an ultrasound scan has shown problems with your baby.
- You, your child or a family member has had a genetic test that needs explanation.
Your GP is always a good place to start if you’re worried about your health. Your GP can help you decide about seeing a genetic counsellor and help you find someone who’s right for you. The Human Genetics Society of Australasia can help you find a genetic counsellor in your state. The Centre for Genetics Education can help you find genetic services in Australia.
Before going to a genetic counsellor
Before seeing a genetic counsellor, it’s a good idea to find out about things like the following:
- Why you’re going: talk with your GP or other specialist about why you need to see a genetic counsellor.
- Appointments: do you need to make the appointment, or will the GP make it for you? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
- Waiting lists: how long before you can get an appointment to see the genetic counsellor?
- Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment? For example, should you gather medical information about your family? Or should you gather results from X-rays, blood tests or genetic tests?
- Costs: how much will the appointment with the genetic counsellor cost? In Australia, public hospital genetics clinics offer free genetic counselling and will tell you if there are likely to be out-of-pocket costs. Private genetic counsellors usually charge a fee, which isn’t covered by private health insurance.
- Locations: find out where you have to go to see the genetic counsellor – for example, a public or private hospital, or consulting rooms.