Erin Ash

In the Interviewing and Counseling-Based Methods in Genetic Counseling course, students explore and practice counseling skills in the context of genetic counseling. Counseling skills are applied to genetic counseling scenarios, as well as to professional interactions. Students learn to utilize different counseling models as they relate to genetic counseling practice, identify counseling strategies that can be applied to specific patient scenarios, and apply motivational interviewing in a genetic counseling session to facilitate patient management.

The Cancer Genetics course provides students with an understanding of cancer genetic counseling through case-based study of clinical services. Students are introduced to the anatomy and physiology of affected organs, screening modalities, and treatment options; become familiar with the pathology and cancer genetic counseling; interpret pedigrees and utilize cancer risk models; understand testing criterion, options, and interpretation of results; and explore the psychosocial aspects of hereditary cancer syndromes.

This course reviews the basic clinical skills required to facilitate the transition between basic medical sciences and the study of specific genetic disease entities. Emphasis will be on understanding the symptoms and physical signs needed to construct and decipher the medical history, physical examinations, written case summary, and oral presentation. Specific genetic counseling cases, as well as general principles, will be discussed in a workshop format.