Foreword Peter Harper; Preface; 1. An overview of genetic counselling; 2. The psychological processes underlying genetic counselling; 3. Understanding individual differences in genetic counselling using Attachment Theory; 4. The role and skills of the counsellor and ideas from psychotherapy; 5. Examples of the roles and skills of the counsellor; 6. The gene and the Family System; 7. Working with parents and children; 8. The influence of the nature of the disorder on the consultation; 9. The effect on the counsellor; 10. The interview and non-directiveness; Index.

'… provides eloquent testimony for the central role psychological considerations do and should play in the day-to-day work of the genetic counselling professions (whether medical geneticists, genetic counsellors, genetic nurses, etc.) … the book is dense with content and meaning, but does not let that put you off - it will richly reward the serious reader. The language is admirably clear, providing a transparency to the descriptions of psychological mechanisms and counselling techniques … liberal use of case vignettes, augmented by actual transcript material, carefully chosen to illustrate the emotional challenges faced by families affected by genetic disease and, equally importantly, to place the spotlight on the quality of communication in genetic consultations … this book is essential reading for us all (students, trainees and experienced practitioners alike) - whether to introduce, expand, consolidate or revitalise our knowledge and skills as counsellors in this unique medical discipline.' Journal of Human Genetics