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Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process pp 139–172Cite as

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

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Abstract

Four of the components of a genetic counseling session are initiating the session, introductions and contracting (setting goals), ending the session/relationship, and making referrals. Genetic counselors have a great deal of responsibility for beginning and ending genetic counseling sessions and relationships and for helping patients establish feasible goals. This chapter describes activities for initiating the genetic counseling session, defines contracting and describes steps in the goal-setting process (including session goals and patient goals), describes genetic counselor activities for ending the session and the relationship, and identifies referral strategies for effective follow-up. Specific examples illustrate the various genetic counselor activities within each session component. Activities and written exercises at the end of this chapter are designed to help students develop skills for initiating, contracting, ending, and referral through self-reflection, practice, and feedback.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Adapted from Danish and D’Augelli (1983).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Patricia McCarthy Veach Ph.D., L.P.

  2. Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Bonnie S. LeRoy M.S., C.G.C., L.G.C.

  3. Genetic Counseling Program, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Nancy P. Callanan M.S., C.G.C.

Authors
  1. Patricia McCarthy Veach Ph.D., L.P.
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  2. Bonnie S. LeRoy M.S., C.G.C., L.G.C.
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  3. Nancy P. Callanan M.S., C.G.C.
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Appendices

Appendix 6.1: Observer Checklist for Beginning the Genetic Counseling Session

 

Yes

No

Initial greeting

  

 Chairs at comfortable distance

  

 Faces patient

  

 Introduces self

  

 Asks how to address patient

  

 Makes some small talk, if appropriate

  

Orientation

  

 Presents credentials

  

 Discusses taping/supervision

  

 Describes genetic counseling

  

Contracting and goal setting

  

 Asks about patient’s reasons for seeking genetic counseling

  

 Attempts to establish goals

  

 Seeks patient’s agreement to work on goals

  

Miscellaneous

  

 Is sensitive to patient’s questions/concerns

  

 Discusses follow-up to the session

  

Additional comments

  

Appendix 6.2: Observer Checklist for Ending the Genetic Counseling Session

 

Yes

No

N/A

Anticipate conclusion of session

   

 Summarizes major points

   

 Reaches consensus on what to do next

   

 Agrees on time, date, and place of future contact

   

 Is aware of time constraints (e.g., clinic schedule)

   

 Gives cues to signal the end

   

 Determines why patient does not want to leave

   

 Makes special arrangements for additional time

   

 Observes courtesies of departure

   

 Ends on positive note, if appropriate

   

Structures end of relationship

   

 Assesses extent to which goals were accomplished

   

 Asks patient to summarize decision-making progress

   

 Summarizes patient decision-making progress

   

 Plans follow-up

   

 Makes referral to other sources

   

Additional comments

   

Appendix 6.3: Observer Checklist for Making Referrals

 

Yes

No

Describes patients’ issue/problem for which the referral is made

  

Selects referral sources appropriate for the patients and their situation

  

If possible, provides more than one name for referral

  

Informs patients about referral source name, address, phone number, and how to contact

  

Contacts the referral source directly

  

Presents referral source credentials to enhance credibility

  

Makes positive statements about the usefulness of the source for helping the patients

  

Secures patients’ written permission to send a report of the genetic counseling to this source

  

Follows up with patients to inquire about their experience with the referral source

  

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McCarthy Veach, P., LeRoy, B.S., Callanan, N.P. (2018). Structuring Genetic Counseling Sessions: Initiating, Contracting, Ending, and Referral. In: Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74799-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74799-6_6

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