19Questions
Open questions Cannot be answered easily with one or two words
Closed questions Can be answered easily with one or two words
Self-reference
Self-disclosure Counselor revelation of information about her/himself
Self-involvement Counselor “here-and-now” expression of feelings about/reactions to
the patient
Additional skills
Advice Suggest something the patient should/should not do
Information giving Provide data about something
Influence Counselor states her/his opinionAppendix 1.2: Genetic Counseling Role-Play Scenarios
You are to develop six patient roles for use during role-play exercises. Limit each to
no more than half of one page. Use the following ten categories to create six, word-
processed scenarios. Use a separate page for each role-play. Note: You should
assume the counselor has already given genetic information to the patient. Focus the
scenario instead on patient reactions, decisions, questions, etc. (b) Patients can be
individuals or couples. (c) Two scenarios should involve giving patients “bad news”
(positive or abnormal test results).
- Counseling setting: Genetic counseling.
- Patient demographics: Gender, age.
- Describe the situation: What is the presenting concern? Why is the patient see-
ing you? - What are the patient’s surface feelings?
- What are the patient’s hidden feelings?
- What is the patient thinking?
- What is the patient doing? What behaviors are involved in the presenting
concern? - How is the patient coping? What strategies (positive and negative) has the
patient tried to address her/his concern, with what success? What resources,
including people, has the patient drawn upon? - Describe the trigger event: What precipitating factor(s) led to seeking counsel-
ing at this time? What does this patient want from the counselor? - Briefly describe genetic condition: two to three lines so classmates have a
working notion of the condition.
Appendix 1.2: Genetic Counseling Role-Play Scenarios