About me
I am a registered genetic counsellor with more than 15 years’ experience, in both research and clinical settings. I returned to South Africa in 2018 with my husband and young children, after more than 10 years in the United Kingdom.
What I Do
Since returning to South Africa I have started working in private practice as well as part time for Next Biosciences, a local biotechnology company with a focus on reproductive genetic testing.
I approach my sessions in a calm and empathic way to
make sense of complex genetic information, in what are often challenging circumstances for individuals who seek genetic counselling.
What exactly is genetic counselling?
Genetic information can be complex and is often overwhelming.
As genetic counsellors, we aim to make information about how a genetic condition may affect an
individual or family, clear and easy to understand.
The process involves assessing family history, providing risk assessments, discussing the cause and inheritance of a condition, and then, in some cases, guiding individuals and families through the available genetic testing options.
We help individuals to understand the implications of any genetic test results for themselves as well as
their families, while providing the necessary support.
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As well as focusing on the individual who has been diagnosed with a genetic
condition, genetic counsellors see the family as a whole and address the concerns of relatives by providing information regarding risk and possible options going forward.