Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process Practice-Based Skills, Second Edition

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6.8 Written Exercises

Exercise 1: Contracting Role-Play

Engage in a 20-min role-play of a genetic counseling session with a classmate. The
role-play can be based on a patient you saw in clinic or it can be a made-up patient
situation. During the role-play, focus on contracting and setting session goals. Audio
record the role-play. Next transcribe the role-play and critique your work. Use the
following method for transcribing the session:

Counselor Patient Self-critique Instructor

Key phrases of

dialogue

Key

phrases

Comment on your own

response

Will provide feedback on your

responses

Create a brief summary:

1. Briefly describe patient demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, socioeco-
   nomic status, relationship status) and reason for seeking genetic counseling.


2. Identify two things you said/did during the role-play that were effective and two
   things you could have done differently.
   Give the recording, transcript/self-critique, and summary to the instructor who
   will provide feedback.
   [Hint: This assignment encourages self-reflective practice regarding your clinical
   performance. The goal is not to do a perfect session. Rather the goal is to assess the
   extent to which you can accurately assess your psychosocial counseling skills. You
   will gain more from this exercise if you refrain from scripting what you plan to say
   as the counselor.]

Exercise 2: Ending and Referral Role-Play

Engage in a 15-min role-play of a genetic counseling session with a classmate. The
role-play can be based on a patient you saw in clinic or it can be a made-up patient
situation. During the role-play, focus on ending the genetic counseling session and
making a referral. Audio record the role-play. Next transcribe the role-play and
critique your work. Use the following method for transcribing the session:

Counselor Patient Self-Critique Instructor

Key phrases of

dialogue

Key

phrases

Comment on your own

response

Will provide feedback on your

responses

Create a brief summary:

1. Briefly describe patient demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, socioeco-
   nomic status, relationship status) and reason for seeking genetic counseling.


2. Identify two things you said/did during the role-play that were effective and two
   things you could have done differently:

6 Structuring Genetic Counseling Sessions: Initiating, Contracting, Ending, and Referral