Genetic Counselling
What Is Genetic Counselling?
Genetic counselling is a specialist healthcare service that helps you understand how genetic factors may affect your health and your family. It provides personalised information and support based on your medical history, family history and individual circumstances.
A genetic counsellor can help you explore whether a genetic condition may run in your family, understand your potential inherited risk, and make sense of genetic information or test results. Where appropriate, they can also discuss whether genetic testing may be useful and what the possible outcomes could mean for you and your relatives.
this service is not only about genetic testing. It is a confidential opportunity to ask questions, understand your options and make informed decisions about your health and future.
Who Can Benefit From Genetic Counselling?
Genetic counselling can be helpful for people who have questions or concerns about their genetic health, inherited conditions or family history. You do not need to have a confirmed genetic condition or have already undergone genetic testing to speak with a genetic counsellor.
It may be particularly useful if you are concerned about your own genetic health, have questions about a condition that may run in your family, or need help understanding how genetic information could affect you or your relatives. For individual concerns, Individual Genetic Counselling can provide personalised guidance based on your medical and family history. Where genetic concerns involve several relatives or may affect the wider family, Family Genetic Counselling can help families understand shared risks and consider appropriate next steps.
this service can also be valuable when you are unsure whether genetic testing is appropriate for you. A consultation provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, understand your options and make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances.
When Might Genetic Counselling Be Recommended?
Genetic counselling may be recommended when your medical or family history raises questions about a possible inherited condition or genetic risk.
Several relatives have the same or related health condition, particularly if it developed at an unusually young age. Genetic counselling can help assess whether there may be an inherited pattern.
You or a family member has a condition that may have a genetic cause or features suggesting an inherited disorder. Genetic counselling can help clarify the possible genetic implications.
You have received genetic information or a test result and would like to understand its potential implications for your health or family.
You have concerns about inherited conditions or genetic risks when considering pregnancy or having children, and would like professional guidance about your options.
Genetic counselling helps turn genetic concerns into informed decisions. A specialist consultation can help you understand your circumstances, explore your options and decide what steps may be appropriate.
Understanding Your Genetic Health and Family History
Genetic counselling can help you understand how your personal and family medical history may relate to your genetic health. By looking at patterns of illness across relatives, a genetic counsellor can help identify whether there may be an inherited risk and explain what that risk could mean for you and your family.
A detailed family health history can provide important context. This may include the conditions affecting close relatives, the age at which they developed and any known genetic diagnoses. Understanding this history can help determine whether further genetic assessment or testing may be appropriate.
this service can also help you understand genetic test results and their potential implications. Rather than simply explaining whether a result is positive or negative, a genetic counsellor can put the findings into the context of your personal and family history and discuss what they may mean for your health and relatives. More detailed information about interpreting genetic findings can be found in our guide to Genetic Testing Result Interpretation.
Ultimately, counselling helps turn complex genetic information into a clearer understanding of your risks, options and possible next steps.
What Happens During Your Consultation?
A genetic counselling consultation is a personalised discussion designed to understand your concerns, review relevant medical and family history, and help you make informed decisions about your genetic health.
Your consultation is personalised to you. The aim is to help you understand your genetic information and options clearly, without pressure, so that you can make informed decisions about your health and future.
What Does Genetic Counselling Involve?
Genetic counselling involves a personalised discussion between you and a specialist genetic counsellor about your medical history, family history and genetic concerns. The consultation is tailored to your circumstances and provides an opportunity to ask questions and understand how genetic factors may relate to your health.
Depending on your situation, a consultation may involve reviewing your family health history, assessing potential inherited risks, discussing a genetic condition or diagnosis, and explaining genetic information or test results in a clear and understandable way.
Your genetic counsellor may also discuss whether genetic testing or further assessment could be appropriate. This includes explaining the potential benefits, limitations and possible implications of different options, so that you can make an informed decision without pressure.
The aim is not simply to provide information, but to help you understand what it means for you and your family and what your possible next steps may be.
Genetic Counselling and Genetic Testing
Genetic counselling and genetic testing are closely related but serve different purposes. This service focuses on understanding genetic risk, information and choices, while genetic testing involves analysing DNA to identify specific genetic changes.
| Aspect | Genetic Counselling | Genetic Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | To understand genetic risks, concerns and available options. | To analyse DNA and identify specific genetic variants or changes. |
| What It Involves | Discussion of your medical history, family history, genetic concerns and possible risks. | Laboratory analysis of a blood, saliva or other appropriate biological sample. |
| Can It Happen Without Testing? | Yes. Genetic counselling can help you understand your risk and decide whether testing may be appropriate. | No. Genetic testing requires a laboratory analysis of a biological sample. |
| Main Focus | Risk assessment, interpretation, support and informed decision-making. | Identifying genetic variants that may provide information about health or inherited conditions. |
| Outcome | A clearer understanding of your genetic circumstances, options and possible next steps. | A genetic test report identifying whether particular genetic findings were detected. |
Genetic counselling and genetic testing can work together. Counselling can help determine whether testing is appropriate and help you understand the potential implications of the results. Learn more about Genetic Testing .
Types of Genetic Counselling
Genetic counselling can be tailored to different genetic concerns and circumstances. Explore the type of genetic counselling that best matches your needs.
Personalised genetic guidance for individuals with concerns about their health, family history, inherited conditions or genetic test results.
Support for families seeking to understand shared genetic risks, inherited conditions and the potential implications for relatives.
Specialist counselling during pregnancy to help understand potential genetic risks, testing options and possible outcomes.
Genetic guidance for couples considering marriage and wanting to understand inherited conditions and potential reproductive risks.
Specialist counselling for individuals and families concerned about hereditary cancer risk based on their personal or family history.
Guidance for individuals and families affected by, or seeking answers about, suspected or undiagnosed rare genetic conditions.
Not sure which type of genetic counselling you need? Our general genetic counselling service can help you understand your concerns and identify the most appropriate pathway for your circumstances.
Understanding Your Genetic Test Results
Receiving a genetic test result can raise important questions about what the findings mean for your health and your family. Genetic counselling can help put the result into context by considering your personal and family history and explaining the possible implications.
Whether your result is positive, negative or uncertain, its significance can depend on the specific genetic change, the condition being investigated and your individual circumstances. Your genetic counsellor can help you understand what the result may mean and discuss whether any further assessment, testing or follow-up may be appropriate.
For more detailed information about understanding genetic findings, see our guide to Genetic Testing Result Interpretation.
Why Choose London Genetics for Genetic Counselling?
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Personalised Care: Your consultation is tailored to your medical history, family history, concerns and individual circumstances.
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Specialist Genetic Guidance: Receive professional guidance to help you understand genetic risks, conditions and information relevant to your circumstances.
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Clear, Understandable Information: Complex genetic information is explained clearly, helping you understand what it may mean for you and your family.
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Confidential Consultations: A private and confidential setting where you can discuss sensitive health, family and genetic concerns openly.
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Support With Next Steps: Where appropriate, your consultation can help you consider genetic testing, further assessment or other relevant options without pressure.
Frequently asked questions
In this section you can check frequently asked questions.
What is genetic counselling?
This service is a specialist healthcare service that helps you understand how genetic factors may affect your health and your family. It considers your personal and family history and provides personalised information about potential genetic risks, available options and possible next steps.
Who can benefit from counselling?
Genetic counselling can be helpful for anyone with concerns about an inherited condition, family history or genetic health. You do not need to have a confirmed genetic condition or have already had genetic testing to arrange a consultation.
Do I need genetic testing before having genetic counselling?
No. Genetic counselling can take place before genetic testing. A consultation can help you understand whether testing may be appropriate for your circumstances, what it could involve and what the possible outcomes might mean.
What happens during a counselling consultation?
Your genetic counsellor will discuss your concerns and review relevant personal and family medical history. Depending on your circumstances, they may discuss potential genetic risks, available options and whether further assessment or testing could be appropriate.
How long does a genetic counselling consultation take?
The length of a consultation can vary depending on your circumstances and the complexity of the information being discussed. Your appointment will allow sufficient time to explore your concerns, review relevant history and discuss appropriate next steps.
Is genetic counselling confidential?
Yes. Genetic counselling is provided in a confidential healthcare setting, allowing you to discuss personal, medical and family concerns openly with your genetic counsellor.
Will genetic counselling tell me whether I have a genetic condition?
Genetic counselling itself does not diagnose a genetic condition. It helps assess your personal and family history, explain potential genetic risks and determine whether further assessment or genetic testing may be appropriate.
What should I bring to a genetic counselling consultation?
If possible, it can be helpful to bring information about your personal medical history, relevant family health history and any previous genetic reports or diagnoses. However, you can still arrange a consultation if you do not have all of this information available.
Book a Genetic Counselling Consultation
If you have concerns about your genetic health, family history or a genetic test result, a private consultation can help you understand your circumstances and explore your options.
Discuss your questions with a specialist genetic counsellor and receive personalised guidance about your possible next steps.
Book a Genetic Counselling Consultation
I had my consultation last week and it was so supportive. The team really listened and gave practical advice.
Just booked my appointment for Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Counselling in London. Feeling hopeful to get some clarity.
Really comforting service. They cover both medical and emotional aspects, which makes a huge difference.
I’ve had two miscarriages in the past year and I’m feeling lost. Can this counselling help me understand why it keeps happening?
Thank you for reaching out, Emily. Our Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Counselling is designed to assess potential genetic, medical, and lifestyle factors that may contribute to repeated miscarriages. During the consultation, we review your medical history, suggest any relevant tests, and provide personalised guidance to help you make informed decisions about future pregnancies.
Are there specific genetic tests you recommend for couples who’ve experienced multiple miscarriages?
Yes, Michael. We typically start with reviewing family and personal histories to identify any inherited conditions. Based on this, we may recommend genetic testing such as karyotyping or screening for specific chromosomal abnormalities. Each plan is personalised, as the most suitable tests depend on your unique situation.