Advanced Genetic Counseling: Theory and Practice

A CRITICAL NEW APPROACH FOR LEARNING AND THRIVING IN A FIELD OF CHANGE The scope and responsibilities of today's genetic counselors exceed the reasonable capacity of any one educational resource. While the field's first-year curriculum may be relatively fixed, the landscape of what comes after that -- a dizzying mix of practice, ethics, research design, and professional competencies -- is increasingly broad. Advanced Genetic Counseling offers an overdue extension of the field's core curriculum. From navigating ethical dilemmas and potential conflicts of interest to confronting the biases and patterns of thought that can limit counselors' interactions with clients, it prepares readers to face the profession's most challenging aspects with confidence. Drawing on techniques from psychotherapy, social psychology, and health behavior, Advanced Genetic Counseling is an essential resource for trainees and mid-career professionals. It offers a roadmap not just for addressing client needs, but for the future of genetic counseling education.

About the Author

Barbara B. Biesecker, PhD, MS, CGC, is a distinguished fellow in at RTI International. She directed the Johns Hopkins University/National Human Genome Research Institute Genetic Counseling Training Program for 23 years. Dr. Biesecker has over 35 years' experience in clinical care, education, and research in the field of genetic counseling and is the author of more than 150 publications. Her work focuses on the psychological, social, and health outcomes of living with a genetic condition and the translation of genomics into clinical care. She is the 2014 recipient of the Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award, the most distinguished honor within the National Society of Genetic Counselors. Kathryn F. Peters, MS, CGC, is a certified genetic counselor and has been involved in clinical care, research, and education in genetic counseling for more than 25 years. Her personal research interests center on the assessment of the background, needs, and expectations of genetic counseling clients and social stigma. She is the 2008 recipient of the National Society of Genetic Counselor's Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship. Robert Resta, MS, CGC, is a genetic counselor with more than 35 years of experience. He has published extensively on the historical, ethical, and psychological aspects of genetic counseling. He is a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Genetic Counseling and a frequent contributor to The DNA Exchange , the most widely read genetic counseling blog. He is the 2013 recipient of the Natalie Weissberger Paul National Achievement Award, the most distinguished honor within the National Society of Genetic Counselors.