Child Health

Genetic counselling is a specialist form of counselling or advice that is given to people who have been affected by genetic disorders. This may include people who have been diagnosed with a genetic condition, parents who have been told that there is a risk that their child may be born with a genetic disorder or birth defect, family members of people who have genetic disorders and people who are worried that they may be at risk of developing a genetic disorder because other people in their family have a disease or condition.

Genetic counselling may come from a qualified genetic counsellor but other specialists may also offer advice on genetic issues, including paediatricians, a clinical geneticist or a doctor who specialises in medical genetics.

Services for expectant parents

Genetic counsellors can provide a very valuable service for expectant parents who have received abnormal tests results and told that there is a risk that their baby will be born with a birth defect or genetic disorder. Counsellors may also be beneficial for parents who have a family history of genetic conditions and are weighing up whether or not to have children of their own. Often, expectant parents are given options by medical staff and they can then discuss the options with a genetic counsellor, which can help them reach a decision that they are happy with and find ways of coping with their decision, whether it is continuing or terminating the pregnancy.

Other services

Genetic counselling may be recommended for many people and in some cases patients with a family history of conditions, such as cancer, will be advised to see a genetic counsellor to discuss your options if tests have revealed that you have a high risk of developing the disease.

Training to become a genetic counsellor

There are two main routes to becoming a genetic counsellor: you can either train as a nurse or midwife and then complete a minimum of 90 hours of counselling training and a genetic course (this must include at least 30 hours of training) or you can apply to do a Master’s degree in genetic counselling, with this route aimed at people who have undergraduate qualifications in psychology, genetics, biology or sociology. There are currently two postgraduate programmes recommended by the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors, which are offered by the University of Manchester and Cardiff University.