As defined by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates:

• Interpretation of family and medical histories to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence.
• Education about inheritance, testing, management, prevention, resources, and research.
• Counseling to promote informed choices and adaptation to the risk or condition.

The American Board of Genetic Counseling discusses the profession in general terms and lists the accredited genetic counseling training programs. The National Society of Genetic Counselors provides additional information about the field as well as a function that allows you to find a genetic counselor in your community. In addition, Sarah Lawrence College hosts an annual Genetic Counseling Career Day that provides a wide array of information about the profession.