Exploring the Connection Between Genetic Testing and Mental Health: How Online Counselling Can Make a Difference

Ms Uruj Anjum, Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, MBACP, Msc

24/03/2025

Let's explore the impact of genetic testing on mental health.

Genetic testing can offer valuable insights into our health and future, but it also comes with an emotional weight that many don’t expect. Whether you’re navigating the possibility of an inherited condition, awaiting results, or coming to terms with a diagnosis, the psychological impact can feel overwhelming.

As an online counsellor specializing in genetics and attachment psychotherapy, I understand that genetic testing isn’t just about medical information—it’s about emotions, relationships, and the way we see ourselves.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Genetic Testing

For some, receiving genetic results brings relief. It provides clarity, validation, and the ability to make informed choices. But for others, it can trigger deep emotions—anxiety about the future, grief over what might change, or guilt about passing on a condition to children.

Even a negative result can bring unexpected feelings. Some experience survivor’s guilt if family members are affected, while others feel lost, struggling with uncertainty about what their results truly mean for them.

The Impact on Family & Relationships

Genetic results don’t exist in isolation—they ripple through families. Conversations about inherited conditions can strengthen family bonds, but they can also bring up fear, denial, or conflict. Some people worry about sharing their results, unsure of how loved ones will react. Others feel isolated, especially if they don’t have a strong support system.

If you’re facing these challenges, know that your feelings are valid. It’s okay to feel conflicted, overwhelmed, or uncertain about the next steps.

Supporting Parents & Families of Children with Genetic Conditions

During my time working at The Maypole Project, I support parents of children with complex medical needs and genetic diagnoses. I witnessed first-hand how genetic conditions impact not just the child but the entire family system—emotionally, relationally, and practically.

Parents often carry a deep emotional burden, balancing medical care, grief, and the uncertainty of the future. Many struggle with guilt, fear, and the pressure to be strong for their child and other children. Therapy can offer a space to process these emotions, find resilience, and feel less alone in this journey.

Supporting Individuals affected by Huntington's Disease

I am also highly experienced in providing counselling to individuals affected by Huntington’s disease. HD is a uniquely complex condition, often carrying a generational weight—impacting not just those diagnosed, but their children, partners, and extended families who live with the uncertainty of genetic inheritance. The Huntington’s Disease Association is a wonderful resource to HD families.

Through counselling, I have supported clients navigate the psychological impact of genetic testing, anticipatory grief, and the changing dynamics within relationships during predictive genetic testing. For many, the emotional toll of watching a loved one decline while carrying concerns about their own future can feel overwhelming. My approach integrates attachment-based psychotherapy, supporting clients in understanding their responses to loss, uncertainty, and the challenges of caregiving.

Genetic conditions affect every layer of family life. Whether it’s parents of children with complex medical needs or adults facing a genetic diagnosis themselves, I believe in creating a compassionate and informed space where these experiences can be explored with care and understanding.

How Therapy Can Help

Genetic information is part of your story. Therapy offers a space to process your emotions, explore fears and hopes, and find ways to move forward with self-compassion. My past work experience as a genetic counsellor helps me to understand the intricacies of genetics.

I use an attachment-based approach to help individuals:

✔ Understand emotional reactions to genetic results

✔ Navigate difficult family conversations

✔ Work through anxiety, grief, or guilt

✔ Build resilience and emotional well-being

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Receiving genetic results can feel like a turning point in life. But you are more than your genes, and your story is still yours to write. With the right support, you can process this journey in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming.

If you need a safe space to explore your emotions, I’m here to help. Book a session at Saiyna Therapy, and let’s navigate this together.