{"title":"Mothers' reflections on the diagnosis and birth of their child with Down syndrome: Variability based on the timing of the diagnosis","authors":"Angela F. Lukowski, Jennifer G. Bohanek","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1946","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1946","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Previous research has examined parents' reflections on their child's Down syndrome diagnosis based on whether the diagnosis was provided prenatally or after birth, revealing few significant differences; by comparison, few studies have examined parents' reflections on the birth of the child in relation to the timing of the diagnosis. This study was conducted to examine whether mothers differentially reported on and rated the diagnosis, birth, and most recent birthday of their child with DS based on when the diagnosis was provided. Forty-four American mothers of children with DS discussed the birth of their child, when they learned of their child's DS diagnosis, and their child's most recent birthday with a researcher. Participants also completed online questionnaires on which they rated the events and indicated how they felt about the events at the time of their occurrence and at the time of the study. The results revealed that participants who received a prenatal diagnosis of DS for their child reflected differently—and seemingly more positively—on their child's birth relative to participants who received a postnatal diagnosis. These differences were evident when considering participant ratings, emotion language used when discussing the events, and feeling states characterizing how participants felt about the events at the time of their occurrence and at the time of the study. Given these group differences, medical professionals should carefully consider the conditions under which they provide mothers with diagnostic information and support services after a child is born.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jgc4.1946","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141581551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Access to clinical genetic services: An evaluation of patient referral characteristics and identifying barriers in Michigan","authors":"Lacey N. Lemke, Caleb P. Bupp, Karen L. Niemchick","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1947","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1947","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The utilization of genetics in medical care has enhanced the utility of precision medicine and hence increased the need for clinical genetic services. These services have reduced the costs and expanded the availability of genetic testing, but their use is limited in certain populations. This study explores the access to clinical genetic services for Michigan patients referred to a genetics clinic on the western side of the state. Factors included the travel distance (miles), wait time for appointment (days from the referral date to the date of first appointment), population demographics, and cultural characteristics. A retrospective record review of all aged patients (<i>n</i> = 568) referred to a genetics clinic in 2018 demonstrated that all patients were insured (100%), of which majority were white-non-Hispanic (90.7%), more than half were < 10 years of age at referral (53.3%), and most of them kept their first appointment (93.5%). Our analysis showed that the wait time was associated with referral non-compliance, <i>p</i> < 0.01. Adjusting for all variables, for each additional day in wait time, patients had 1% increased risk of not seeking clinical genetic services (OR = 1.01, 90% CI [1.01, 1.02]). Policies to encourage genetic service utilization and improve equitable access to precision health are needed. An opportunity exists for strategies that broaden and add diverse populations to those receiving genetic services.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jgc4.1947","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141581550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel Gore Moses, Colleen Jodarski, Michael Setzer, Katie L. Lewis, Jia Yan, Sophie Byers, Mani Yavi, Elizabeth D. Ballard, Magdalena Walkiewicz, Carlos A. Zarate Jr, Jehannine C. Austin, Morgan Similuk
{"title":"Psychological state at the time of psychiatric genetic counseling impacts patient empowerment: A pre–post analysis","authors":"Rachel Gore Moses, Colleen Jodarski, Michael Setzer, Katie L. Lewis, Jia Yan, Sophie Byers, Mani Yavi, Elizabeth D. Ballard, Magdalena Walkiewicz, Carlos A. Zarate Jr, Jehannine C. Austin, Morgan Similuk","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1949","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1949","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Psychiatric genetic counseling (GC) has been associated with patient-reported increases in empowerment (perceived control, emotional regulation, and hope). We sought to evaluate the extent to which patients' psychological state at the time of GC is related to changes in empowerment. Participants with a history of major depressive disorder and/or bipolar disorder that had been refractory to treatment underwent psychiatric GC remotely from 2022 to 2023. GC was performed by four genetic counselors and included discussion of perceived causes of illness, multifactorial inheritance, and protective factors. Empowerment, depression, and anxiety were measured immediately prior to GC via online survey by the GCOS-16, PHQ-9, and GAD-7, respectively. Empowerment was re-assessed 2 weeks later. In total, 66/161 (41.0%) invited individuals completed both the baseline and follow-up surveys. Participants completing both surveys were 54.6% female, 84.8% white, and ranged in age from 22 to 78 years (mean = 54.8 years). Overall, a significant change in mean empowerment was not observed (<i>p</i> = 0.38); however, there were moderating effects by baseline psychological state. A multiple linear regression model incorporating PHQ-9, GAD-7 and baseline GCOS-16 score predicted change in empowerment with a large effect (<i>F</i> = 5.49, <i>R</i><sup><i>2</i></sup> = 0.21, <i>p</i> < 0.01). A higher score on the PHQ-9 was associated with decreases in empowerment from pre to post GC. Higher scores on the GAD-7 and lower baseline GCOS-16 scores were associated with increases in empowerment. Further, two-way ANOVA was conducted to assess change in empowerment between subgroups based on the level of anxiety and depression. Those with low depression and high anxiety reported significant increases in empowerment (<i>F</i> = 6.64, <i>p</i> = 0.01). These findings suggest that psychiatric GC may be especially helpful to individuals experiencing anxiety and low baseline empowerment. Alternative approaches may be needed to best meet the needs of those experiencing significant depression.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11717984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141581552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lingzi Zhong, Yanete Rodriguez, Whitney Espinel, Elissa M. Ozanne, Kimberly A. Kaphingst
{"title":"Investigating genetic counselors' communication with Lynch syndrome patients about cascade testing: Barriers, facilitators, and strategies","authors":"Lingzi Zhong, Yanete Rodriguez, Whitney Espinel, Elissa M. Ozanne, Kimberly A. Kaphingst","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1937","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1937","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cascade testing is an imperative process to engage Lynch syndrome patients' at-risk relatives in early cancer risk reduction interventions. How genetic counselors communicate about cascade testing is crucial to patients' intentions of and actual involvement in family communication. Based on data from 20 interviews with genetic counselors, this qualitative study examined their perceptions of barriers and facilitators of offering cascade testing to at-risk relatives and the specific communication strategies they use to discuss cascade testing with patients. We identified patient-level, genetic counselor-level, and system-level barriers and facilitators of having discussions with Lynch syndrome patients about cascade testing. The qualitative data also revealed four prominent communication strategies that genetic counselors use for such discussions: build rapport, reframe the benefits of family communication, adapt communication, and provide various resources. These findings highlight genetic counselors' needs of practical and structural support to facilitate their communication about cascade testing, especially when patients are hesitant or lack resources or skills to notify at-risk relatives about cascade testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11698949/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141499677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Lin, Rita M. Cantor, Mariana Niell-Swiller, Philip Sayegh, Christina G. S. Palmer
{"title":"Cultural, demographic, and other non-demographic factors associated with cancer genetic counseling patients' appointment accompaniment preferences in the United States","authors":"Jonathan Lin, Rita M. Cantor, Mariana Niell-Swiller, Philip Sayegh, Christina G. S. Palmer","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1942","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1942","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Although the presence of companion(s) in a genetic counseling session can positively influence session dynamics, research has found that some patients prefer to attend their appointments alone. To date, no studies have examined patient accompaniment preferences across different cultural groups in the context of genetic counseling. This quantitative study aimed to identify factors associated with individual preferences in accompaniment at cancer genetic counseling appointments in a sample (<i>N</i> = 130) of Hispanic/Latine (<i>n</i> = 29) and non-Hispanic/Latine White (<i>n</i> = 101) participants at a large academic medical institution. Variables examined included demographics, horizontal and vertical collectivism, and Hispanic and American acculturation. A link to an online questionnaire was emailed to patients who met four criteria: (1) identified as either Hispanic/Latine or non-Hispanic/Latine White; (2) had attended a cancer genetic counseling appointment at UCLA Health to discuss genetic testing options between October 2020 and December 2022; (3) were at least 18 years of age at the time of their appointment; and (4) indicated they were comfortable reading in Spanish or English; responses were anonymous. Logistic regression analyses identified four significant variables in the model associated with accompaniment preferences: individuals with at least one parent born outside of the US, those who attended their appointment in-person, and those with a higher horizontal collectivism score were less likely to want to attend their cancer genetic counseling appointment alone, while the converse was true among those with a higher American acculturation score. These findings highlight cultural and demographic factors that are associated with patient accompaniment preferences unrelated to ethnicity, indicating genetic counselors should not make assumptions regarding accompaniment preferences based solely on cultural or racial/ethnic background. Genetic counselors should incorporate this understanding when assessing patients' accompaniment preferences.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jgc4.1942","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141494330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha K Rojas, Shelin Adam, Alison M Elliott, Ma'n H Zawati
{"title":"Genetic counselors outside of the genetics clinic: Roles, practices, and ethico-legal implications in light of lagging legal recognition across Canada.","authors":"Samantha K Rojas, Shelin Adam, Alison M Elliott, Ma'n H Zawati","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1943","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1943","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advances in medical genetics have led to a significant increase in demand for genetic services and expertise across almost all medical specialties. Genetic counselors (GCs) in Canada play key roles in genetic services both within and outside of the Genetics Clinic, while not being regulated or legally recognized as healthcare professionals (HCPs) in most provinces. Understanding whether GCs outside of the \"traditional\" Genetics Clinic influence patient care, their level of professional autonomy and supervisory structure is, therefore, important. In this study, we explore the current landscape of GC practice outside of the Genetics Clinic by describing positions, determining the professional scope of practice, as defined by the Canadian Association of Genetic Counselors (CAGC) and Canadian Board of Genetic Counseling (CBGC) core competencies, and by elucidating associated ethico-legal implications. An online survey was developed and distributed to GCs working with patient-related data in Canada in positions outside of the Genetics Clinic through the CAGC ListServ and accessed between March 5 and April 9, 2021. Thirty GCs were included in the study, with 16/30 in public healthcare system positions. Most respondents held roles with direct (11/30) and indirect (14/30) impact on patient care and management, and the majority reported performing their primary roles with minimal supervision (56%) or complete independence (36%). Most roles (22/25) elicited by respondents were considered to be within the GC scope of practice, except for administrative tasks and special projects. GCs were the only genetics-trained professional(s) in 8/30 of respondents' workplaces. The results of the current study support the value of GCs translatable skillset in positions beyond the Genetics Clinic, and outline ethico-legal implications for GCs, regulated HCPs, patients, and health institutions in the absence of legal recognition, including medical-legal liability and title protection. This study provides evidence in support of regulation of GCs as HCPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141472744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lee-Anna Huisman, Sheridan Martin, Emma Ewasiuk, Alexa McAdam, K’sana Wood Lynes-Ford, Rod McCormick, Laura Arbour
{"title":"The multigenerational impact of long QT syndrome: A Gitxsan perspective","authors":"Lee-Anna Huisman, Sheridan Martin, Emma Ewasiuk, Alexa McAdam, K’sana Wood Lynes-Ford, Rod McCormick, Laura Arbour","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1927","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1927","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Long QT syndrome (LQTS), a rare cardiac condition that can lead to sudden death, is highly prevalent in First Nations communities of northern British Columbia. In the Gitxsan community of 5500, an estimated 1 in 125 individuals are affected, primarily due to the novel pathogenic variant p.V205M in <i>KCNQ1</i>. Over the past decade, more than 800 Gitxsan individuals received genetic testing and counseling for LQTS through a community-based study. Despite the substantial research characterizing the biological underpinnings of LQTS, there are few studies exploring the lived experiences of families with LQTS, especially those of Indigenous peoples. The goal of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the impact of the genetic confirmation of LQTS in this community, and the impact the condition has on individuals, their families, and the community. A qualitative study was developed in consultation with a local research advisory board and a Talking Circle, a traditional Indigenous format for discussion, was held. Four people who belonged to the same kindred group attended the Talking Circle. This article presents the multigenerational impact that LQTS and genetic diagnosis have through the reflections of one Gitxsan family. LQTS affects identity and family relationships, including those between parents and children, siblings, and even extended family members. Laughter and humor played an important part in coping. The role of family relationships for this Gitxsan family was seen to be critical in managing an LQTS diagnosis. This multigenerational perspective provides key insights into family structure and dynamics which can inform genetic counseling and clinical care. As cultural safety is experienced and therefore defined by the person receiving services, listening to the perspectives and preferences of Indigenous peoples is essential to the delivery of culturally informed care.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11735187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141460849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alison C. Kay, Jonathan Wells, Anne Goriely, Nina Hallowell
{"title":"Professionals' views on providing personalized recurrence risks for de novo mutations: Implications for genetic counseling","authors":"Alison C. Kay, Jonathan Wells, Anne Goriely, Nina Hallowell","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1910","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1910","url":null,"abstract":"<p>When an apparent de novo (new) genetic change has been identified as the cause of a serious genetic condition in a child, many couples would like to know the risk of this happening again in a future pregnancy. Current practice provides families with a population average risk of 1%–2%. However, this figure is not accurate for any specific couple, and yet, they are asked to make decisions about having another child and/or whether to have prenatal testing. The PREcision Genetic Counseling And REproduction (PREGCARE) study is a new personalized assessment strategy that refines a couple's recurrence risk <i>prior</i> to a new pregnancy, by analyzing several samples from the parent–child trio (blood, saliva, swabs, and father's sperm) using deep sequencing and haplotyping. Overall, this approach can reassure ~2/3 of couples who have a negligible (<0.1%) recurrence risk and focus support on those at higher risk (i.e. when mosaicism is identified in one of the parents). Here we present a qualitative interview study with UK clinical genetics professionals (<i>n</i> = 20), which investigate the potential implications of introducing such a strategy in genetics clinics. While thematic analysis of the interviews indicated perceived clinical utility, it also indicates a need to prepare couples for the psychosocial implications of parent-of-origin information and to support their understanding of the assessment being offered. When dealing with personalized reproductive risk, a traditional non-directive approach may not meet the needs of practitioner and client(s) and shared decision-making provides an additional framework that may relieve some patient burden. Further qualitative investigation with couples is planned.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11735184/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141460848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexandra Osborne, Emily Magness Bland, Callie Diamonstein, Kristen Fishler
{"title":"Time tracking and comparison of genetic counseling tasks in inpatient and outpatient settings","authors":"Alexandra Osborne, Emily Magness Bland, Callie Diamonstein, Kristen Fishler","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1935","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1935","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Genetic counselors (GCs) practice in critical care settings. Some GCs have full-time inpatient roles, while most GCs who see inpatients do so as needed or on a rotating schedule in addition to seeing patients in an outpatient setting. Few studies have tracked and compared the amount of time it takes GCs to perform tasks in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Genetic counselors were invited to participate in this study via the National Society of Genetic Counselors research listserv. Participants completed an online survey asking how their role is structured and what types of support are available to them while seeing inpatients. They also performed time tracking for 16 tasks known to be associated with inpatient and/or outpatient care via RedCap. These tasks include direct patient care, care coordination, and other tasks which encapsulate a new patient encounter from beginning to end. Forty-two inpatient encounters and 26 outpatient encounters were analyzed. The total average time spent on an inpatient consult (3 h and 38.5 min) was significantly higher than the time spent on an outpatient consult (2 h and 24.7 min; <i>p</i> < 0.05). Individually, genetic counselors spent significantly more time on the following tasks in an inpatient setting: direct follow-up encounters, multidisciplinary team communication, results disclosure encounters, results disclosure documentation, traveling, and waiting. Follow-up encounters, traveling, and waiting happen almost exclusively in inpatient settings. Short answer prompts regarding structure of GC role and available support revealed themes including lack of inpatient role structure, challenges with balancing between inpatient and outpatient tasks, and varied institutional support. These results promote further discussion about how to support GCs who see inpatients as these roles expand. Some suggestions include increased FTE/protected time and/or GCA support specific to the inpatient role.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jgc4.1935","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141460850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aimee Dane, Jennifer Berkman, Emily DeBortoli, Courtney K. Wallingford, Tatiane Yanes, Aideen McInerney-Leo
{"title":"Narrative therapy and family therapy in genetic counseling: A scoping review","authors":"Aimee Dane, Jennifer Berkman, Emily DeBortoli, Courtney K. Wallingford, Tatiane Yanes, Aideen McInerney-Leo","doi":"10.1002/jgc4.1938","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jgc4.1938","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Genetic counseling facilitates psychological and social adaptation in clients and families. Two psychotherapeutic approaches, narrative and family therapy foster client adaptation to adverse situations and may enhance the genetic counseling process. This scoping review aimed to describe the applications of narrative therapy and family therapy in genetic counseling, and to document the actual and perceived value of these approaches in a genetic counseling setting. Nine original research articles and six commentary articles met the study inclusion criteria. Original articles reported on positive client attitudes when these approaches were applied to hereditary cancer and Huntington disease settings. Five studies applied either approach in group sessions, where safety was key to positive outcomes, including sharing lived experiences and coping strategies. Balanced utilization of structured and open elements in group sessions maximized a sense of control, while also allowing for opportunity to self-disclose. Narrative therapy interventions were time efficient and were reported to foster connection with others and shape a new adaptive narrative centered around strengths. Family therapy approaches, based on experiential family therapy, the intersystem model, object relations family therapy, and the social ecology model, required a greater time commitment, but promoted disclosure of complex feelings and diffused tension. Family therapy genogram tools were feasible in practice, easy to implement, and effective at identifying communication barriers. Commentary articles highlighted the alignment of both approaches with genetic counseling goals and their potential value in practice. Utilization of psychotherapeutic approaches can improve counselors' ability to shape sessions, enhance insight and optimize efficacy, and flexibility in moving between models can maximize impact. This review highlights the paucity of studies investigating the efficacy of these psychotherapeutic approaches in the genetic counseling context and the need for more outcomes-based research on the utilization of narrative or family therapy in genetic counseling practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":54829,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Genetic Counseling","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jgc4.1938","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141428353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}