Genetic counselling

What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling provides information to patients and their families with a genetic disease such as BHD. Genetic counsellors have specialist training in genetics and can help families get a diagnosis, find out who else in the family has the disease, find information about the disease, and give advice about family planninggenetic discrimination and health insurance.

If you would like more information, Macmillan Cancer Support has some excellent advice about how to prepare for a genetic counselling consultation and what questions to ask here.

Practical information

Telephone or email consultations

Most genetic counselling appointments will be face to face at a hospital or clinic. However, if this is not possible for you, it may be possible to talk to a genetic counsellor via telephone, email or online video-conferencing.

Paying for a Genetic Counsellor

Genetic counselling may be covered by your private healthcare plan, or your public health service: you will be able to check with your doctor, hospital or insurer. For private counselling, fees vary.

Finding a Genetic Counsellor

Links for finding a local genetic counsellor are provided below. Depending on your healthcare system, it may be easier to get an appointment if your family doctor refers you to a genetic counsellor.

International

Europe

Australia

Canada

Hong Kong

United States

First ask your usual doctor if he or she can find a local genetic counsellor for you. You will need a referral from your primary care physician to get insurance coverage for genetic counselling.

Have any outstanding questions you’d like to ask or any advice for anyone new to these issues? Why not post your advice or questions on the BHD Syndrome Facebook Group?

Last Updated: May 2021
Review date: May 2024