© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 139
P. McCarthy Veach et al., Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74799-6_6
Chapter 6
Structuring Genetic Counseling Sessions:
Initiating, Contracting, Ending,
and Referral
Learning Objectives- Describe activities for initiating the genetic counseling session.
- Define contracting and describe steps in the goal-setting process.
- Describe genetic counselor activities for ending the session and the
relationship. - Identify referral strategies for effective follow-up.
- Develop skills at initiating, contracting, ending, and referral through self-
reflection, practice, and feedback.
This chapter discusses four of the components of a genetic counseling session: ini-
tiating the session, introductions and contracting (setting goals), ending the session/
relationship, and making referrals. The components described in this chapter cor-
respond to several of the categories identified by the Accreditation Council for
Genetic Counseling (ACGC 2015 ) for logbook case documentation.
6.1 Initiating the Genetic Counseling Session
Close your eyes and imagine that you are about to see your first genetic counseling
patient. What are you feeling? What are you doing to prepare for your first encoun-
ter? Do you have a clear picture of how you will begin? What is the first thing you
will say or do? Now ask yourself how your patients may feel about coming to
genetic counseling and what they might say or do.
Many people have never heard of genetic counseling prior to becoming genetic
counseling patients. They may be anxious, confused, frightened, and disoriented
about the relationship they are about to enter with you. It is important that you try to
alleviate their discomfort by providing guidance about what will happen in this
relationship.