Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work. They work as members of a health care 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 health care 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. Presentations at the conference focused on counseling theories and their applications to genetic counseling, including discussions of family therapy models, issues of grief and shame and the goals of prenatal genetic counseling. Despite the conference's commitment to developing the counseling aspect of the profession, the program was not lacking scientific content. Reviews and updates included such topics as the use of fetal MRI, the benefits of testing for inherited hypercoagulabilities, the successful use of growth hormone in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome, and the diagnostic, surgical and emotional considerations of ambiguous genitalia. Male factor infertility, female factor infertility, gamete donation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and psychological and ethical issues were explored in the short course.