Response to A Different Vantage Point Commentary: Psychotherapeutic Genetic Counseling, Is it?

Abstract

Whether genetic counseling is a form of psychotherapy is open for debate. Early practicioners in genetic counseling described it as such, and this claim has been replicated in recent publications. This commentary is a rebuttal to the claim that genetic counseling is distinct from psychotherapty. We argue that it is a a form of psychoterapy that aims to help clients manage a health threat that affects their psychological wellbeing, paralleling the goals of psychotherapy.

Web Platform vs In-Person Genetic Counselor for Return of Carrier Results From Exome Sequencing

“…[8][9][10][11][12] With additional supporting evidence, in-person genetic counseling may be reserved for individuals receiving results that are more health threatening than carrier results. 5 Given the limits of the Our results demonstrate that a strong interest in learning carrier results at baseline 1 translated to downstream uptake, which differs from past research 8 and suggests that participants perceived potential value of their results for their family members. Although this sample was a welleducated group, it remains heartening that we found no indication of distress or other potential psychological harms that may arise from learning one's carrier status.…”

“…These results are consistent with those of 3 other RCTs returning single genetic variant results comparing in-person with computer interventions . With additional supporting evidence, in-person genetic counseling may be reserved for individuals receiving results that are more health threatening than carrier results . Given the limits of the genetics health care workforce, such evidence-based alternative delivery modes will be needed.…”

“…Genetic counseling comprises 2 related but distinct functions: the provision of genetic information and psychological counseling about managing the threat of living at risk . In the design of studies to assess independent effects on outcomes, the education and counseling components can be separated .…”

“…Genetic counseling comprises 2 related but distinct functions: the provision of genetic information 4 and psychological counseling about managing the threat of living at risk. 5 In the design of studies to assess independent effects on outcomes, the education and counseling components can be separated. 6 In a recent systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting outcomes of genetic counseling for predictive genetic testing, 7 3 studies compared education by a genetic counselor with pretest education by a web-based platform [8][9][10][11][12] and found equivalence or noninferiority between the intervention arms.…”

Special Issue Introduction: Dealing with Psychological and Social Complexity in Genetic Counseling

“…Therefore, in conjunction with this new paper, we have invited a commentary about the intersection of genetic counseling and psychotherapy (Redlinger-Grosse 2016). In response, Biesecker et al have replied regarding their contention that genetic counseling is a form of psychotherapy (Biesecker et al 2016a). They argue there is an historical precedent for considering genetic counseling to be psychotherapeutic, that there are overlapping theories, goals, skills, and research evidence, when available.…”