What happens when someone receives a genetic diagnosis? In this episode of Good Enough Counsellors, I'm joined by Uruj Anjum of Saina Therapy.

Before training as a psychotherapist, Uruj spent nine years working within NHS genetics services, supporting individuals and families navigating conditions such as Huntington's disease and other complex inherited disorders. She now specialises in working with clients affected by genetic diagnoses, reproductive decision-making, grief, loss and family dynamics.

We talk about what therapists need to know when supporting clients living with genetic uncertainty, and how genetics may be lying behind presenting issues such as anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties and identity struggles.

Takeaways:

• The emotional impact of genetic diagnosis on individuals, couples and families
• Anticipatory grief and living with uncertainty
• Carrier guilt and the complex emotions that can follow a diagnosis
• How attachment patterns can influence the way people respond to genetic testing and diagnosis
• The impact of inherited conditions on relationships and family dynamics
• Reproductive decision-making and termination for medical reasons
• Supporting clients affected by genetic conditions in the therapy room
• How therapists can work confidently with clients affected by genetic diagnoses without needing specialist medical expertise

You can connect with Uruj via her website saiynatherapy.co.uk and on instagram @saiynatherapy

Looking for Support with Your Private Practice?

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Keywords: genetic counselling, therapy for genetic conditions, mental health and genetics, emotional impact of genetic diagnoses, family dynamics in genetic counselling, genetic testing and therapy, attachment theory and genetics, anticipatory grief in genetic conditions, supporting clients with genetic diagnoses, carrier guilt in genetics, navigating genetic testing decisions, anxiety and genetic diagnoses, therapeutic approaches to genetic issues, stigma around genetic conditions, building confidence in genetic counselling.

The information contained in Good Enough Counsellors is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this podcast are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast.

Josephine Hughes disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this podcast.