Overview of Genetic Counseling: History, Competencies, and Models

Vocabulary flashcards covering professional organizations, history, practice-based competencies, contracting steps, and theoretical counseling models in genetic counseling.

National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)

The professional society for genetic counselors that hosts annual education conferences, publishes the Journal of Genetic Counseling, issues position statements, and maintains member databases.

American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC)

The organization responsible for administering the genetic counseling board certification examination and overseeing credentialing of diplomates.

Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC)

The body that accredits genetic counseling graduate programs and oversees Practice-Based Competencies and training standards.

Practice-Based Competencies (PBCs)

A set of minimum practice standards for genetic counselors organized into seven domains and 25 sub-competencies, currently maintained by the ACGC.

Sheldon C. Reed, PhD

The scientist who coined the term 'genetic counseling' in 1947 and defined its core requirements: knowledge of human genetics, respect for client attitudes, and effective genetic education.

Eugenics Era (U.S.)

The period from the late 1800s to late 1930s characterized by state-mandated sterilization laws and immigration restrictions aimed at reducing the perceived burden of individuals labeled 'genetically inferior'.

Clinical Genetics Era

The period from the late 1930s to late 1960s where PhD and MD geneticists provided education and advice to families affected by genetic conditions prior to the advent of prenatal diagnosis.

Genetic Counseling as a Profession Era

The modern era beginning in the late 1960s marked by master's-level training programs and an emphasis on psychosocial adaptation in client decision-making.

NSGC 2006 Definition of Genetic Counseling

The process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.

Non-prescriptive Counseling

The practice of supporting and facilitating a client's autonomous choices without imposing the counselor's personal values or opinions (formerly termed non-directive).

Contracting

An ongoing interaction at the beginning and throughout a counseling session where the counselor and client discuss goals and expectations to establish a shared agenda.

Process Description

The first step of contracting, in which the counselor explains the nature of genetic counseling and what the upcoming session will address.

Elicitation

The step in contracting where the counselor asks about the client's expectations, background knowledge, values, and specific anxieties.

Agenda Application

The contracting phase that merges the counselor's clinical objectives with the client's expressed priorities into a unified plan.

Re-Contracting

The ongoing process of adjusting the session plan mid-session whenever new client concerns or information surface.

Rogers' Person-Centered Counseling Model

A psychological framework premised on human capacity for self-direction and growth, providing the basis for the patient autonomy and resilience tenets in genetic counseling.

Family Systems Counseling Model

A counseling framework that considers a client's familial context, shared cultural beliefs, and interpersonal dynamics when evaluating genetic risk.

Intersystems Counseling Model

An approach that addresses individual psychology, partner interactions, and intergenerational dynamics, often utilizing genograms.

Content-Oriented Counseling

A genetic counseling style defined by Seymour Kessler where objective facts dictate decisions and the counselor functions as an authoritative educator.

Person-Oriented Counseling

A genetic counseling style defined by Seymour Kessler where decisions rest on the client's subjective understanding and the counselor acts as a facilitator and guide.

Reciprocal Engagement Model (REM)

The current best practice model in genetic counseling founded on five core tenets: genetic information is key, relationship is integral, autonomy must be supported, patients are resilient, and patient emotions matter.

Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act

Federal legislation introduced to grant Medicare recognition to Certified Genetic Counselors, authorizing reimbursement at 85% of the physician rate.