GENETIC COUNSELING IN PRACTICE
A genetic counseling session is a very personalized procedure and aims to increase the family’s understanding of genetic testing…
PSYCHOLOGY IN PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a time full of changes. These changes occur on both a physical and psychological level. Before becoming pregnant, all women may think…
MEDICATION IN PREGNANCY
Teratogens are substances that cause congenital disorders in a developing embryo or fetus. A teratogen is anything a person is exposed to…
ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
Every year, millions of couples who are facing difficulties to conceive, turn to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Genetic Counseling may be an important first step…
What is Genetic Counseling?
Who should get Genetic Counseling?
Genetics is the field of health sciences that has advanced rapidly during the recent years. It has attracted the interest of health professionals, since it has offered the tools for diagnosis, population screening and molecular testing. At the same time, several ethical dilemmas have developed at a personal, social, religious and professional level. Education of the public on genetic testing is a difficult task. Genetic Counseling has developed to cover the need for provision of medical information to patients and their families and to offer psychological support.
The first graduate-level genetic counselor training program was established in 1969 in Sarah Lawrence College, N.Y., U.S.A. Since then, the profession has evolved and spread throughout the world.
Genetic Counseling translates genetic knowledge into practical information for individuals and families. Genetic counselors have special expertise in genetics and are experienced in helping families understanding the mechanisms of inheritance. They provide information that helps families make personal decisions on pregnancy and childcare and on using genetic testing and treatment for various health problems…
A FEW WORDS ABOUT ME
Loukia Katsichti was born and raised in Athens Greece. She always felt attracted to the field of Biomedical sciences. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at City University of New York.
Since she was always amazed by the miracle of life and human reproduction, the field of Genetic Counseling got her attention. She got accepted at Sarah Lawrence College, the pioneer program in Genetic Counseling and got her Master’s degree in 1991. She then worked at Jersey City Medical Center in New Jersey.
She decided to return to Greece in 1994 out of nostalgia. She set the goal in her mind to introduce and develop the new field of Genetic Counseling to the Greek health care system. Since then, she has offered services to hundreds of couples and families and has given lectures to health care professionals and talks to the public…