Genetic Counseling

What it is

Genetic counseling gives you information about how genetic conditions might affect you or your family. The genetic counselor or other healthcare professional will collect your personal and family health history. They can use this information to determine how likely it is that you or your family member has a genetic condition. Based on this information, the genetic counselor can help you decide whether a genetic test might be right for you.

Reasons for genetic counseling

Based on your personal and family health history, your healthcare provider might refer you for genetic counseling. Genetic counselors may focus on a particular area of genetic counseling, such as prenatal, pediatric, or cancer, or they may work in one or more specialty fields, such as cardiovascular health or psychiatry.

There are different stages in your life when you might be referred for genetic counseling.

Planning for pregnancy

Genetic counseling before you become pregnant can address concerns about factors that might affect your baby during infancy or childhood, or your ability to become pregnant, including

• Genetic conditions that run in your family or your partner's family
• History of infertility, multiple miscarriages, or stillbirth
• Previous pregnancy or child affected by a birth defect or genetic condition
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) options

During pregnancy

Genetic counseling while you are pregnant can address certain tests that may be done during your pregnancy, any detected problems, or conditions that might affect your baby during infancy or childhood, including

• History of infertility, multiple miscarriages, or stillbirth
• Previous pregnancy or child affected by a birth defect or genetic condition
• Abnormal test results, such as a blood test, ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), or amniocentesis
• Maternal infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), and other exposures such as medicines, drugs, chemicals, and x-rays
• Genetic screening that is recommended for all pregnant people, which includes cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and any conditions that run in your family or your partner's family

Childhood

Genetic counseling can address concerns if your child is showing signs and symptoms of a disorder that might be genetic, including

• Disorders identified through newborn screening
• Birth defects
• Autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities
• Vision or hearing problems

Adulthood

Genetic counseling can be helpful if you have symptoms of a condition or have a family history of a condition that makes you more likely to be affected with that condition, including

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
• Lynch syndrome (hereditary colorectal and other cancers)
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Muscular dystrophy and other muscle diseases
• Inherited movement disorders such as Huntington's disease
• Inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell disease

Next steps

Following your genetic counseling session, you might decide to have genetic testing. Genetic counseling after testing can help you better understand your test results and treatment options, help you deal with emotional concerns, and refer you to other healthcare providers and advocacy and support groups.

Find a genetics specialist

There are various ways to access genetic counseling services, including in person, by phone, and by video conference.

Find a genetic counselor using the National Society of Genetic Counselors directory.

Find a genetics clinic using the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics directory.