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Quick Links to this Page

• What are genetic counselors?
• Where can I find information about genetic counselors in my area?
• How can I become a genetic counselor?
• Career Opportunities in Genetic Counseling
• Other Resources

What are genetic counselors?

Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, and social work.

Genetic counselors work as members of a healthcare team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family.

Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates, and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other healthcare professionals and for the general public. Some counselors also work in administrative capacities. Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling.

See the National Society of Genetic Counselors' definition.

Where can I find information about genetic counselors in my area?

National Resources for Locating Genetic Counselors By Area

• National Society of Genetic Counselors: Use Find a Counselor.
• Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors
  
• American Board of Genetic Counseling
  • Listing of ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors
  • Membership Directory. For a list of all members in a particular city or state, enter the location without entering any names.
    
• American College of Medical Genetics. Medical Geneticists have M.D.'s or Ph.D.'s with specialized training in the diagnosis of genetic disorders.
  • Membership Directory. For a list of all members in a particular city or state, enter the location without entering any names.

How can I become a genetic counselor?

Genetic counselors hold a Master's degree from one of over 30 accredited U.S. graduate programs. International training programs are also available. Students in these programs study genetics, psychosocial theory, ethics, and counseling. They also participate in clinical training. Certification is obtained through successful completion of documented clinical experience and the American Board of Genetic Counseling's examination. A listing of genetic counseling training programs is available through the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

Career Opportunities

Genetic counseling is a growing field that offers opportunities in a variety of areas. Among the possibilities are

• Clinical - working with patients and families in hospitals, private practice, or on a consulting basis.  Genetic counselors may specialize in genetic counseling in the prenatal, pediatric, cancer-risk, adult, cardiovascular, hematology, neurogenetics setting.
• Commercial - working with biotech companies which design, sell, and administer genetic tests
• Diagnostic Laboratories – working as a liaison between the diagnostic laboratory and referring physicians and their patients
• Education and Public Policy - teaching and advising companies, students, and lawmakers
• Research – working as a study coordinator for research projects involved in genetics

Average income for genetic counselors with a master's degree and 5-9 years experience in 2006 was $61,268. Median salary for a typical genetic counselor in 2008 in the United States was $54,832.

Other Resources

General Resources

• National Society of Genetic Counselors
  • Practice Guidelines
• Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors
• American Board of Genetic Counseling
• Journal of Genetic Counseling

Genetic Counseling FAQs

• Genetic Counseling FAQs from American Pregancy Association
• Genetic Counseling FAQS from March of Dimes
• Genetic Counseling FAQs from GeneticHealth
• Genetic Counseling from KidsHealth
• Genetic Counseling from MEDLINEplus
• What is a genetics consultation? - From GeneTests.

Career Information

• Listings of Graduate Programs
  • National Society of Genetic Counselors
  • American Board of Genetic Counseling
  • GradSchools: Genetic Counseling
• Professional Status Survey from National Society of Genetic Counselors
  • Tables divided by geographical regions
  • Professional Status Survey of Genetic Counselors (2006 PDF)

Books

• C. Evans and P. Harper, Genetic Counseling, A Psychological Approach, 2006.
• P. S. Harper, Practical Genetic Counseling (6th Edition), 2004.
• P. McCarthy Veach, B. LeRoy, and D. Bartels, Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process: A Practice Manual, 2003.
• K. Schneider, Counseling About Cancer: Strategies for Genetic Counseling (2nd. Edition), 2001.
• Psyche and Helix: Psychological Aspects of Genetic Counseling, ed. R. Resta, 2000.
• J. Well, Psychosocial Genetic Counseling, 2000.
• A Guide to Genetic Counseling, ed. D. L. Baker, J. Schuette, and W. Uhlmann, 1998.

A special thanks to Meghan E. Carey, Executive Director, National Society of Genetic Counselors (www.nsgc.org) for her review and updates to this page.

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