Meet Our Genetic Counsellor: Helping Patients to Understand the Link Between Genes and Health
13 November 2025
Our genes hold powerful clues about our health, influencing everything from cancer and heart disease to inherited disorders like thalassemia.
Genetic testing helps doctors find out whether someone has, or may be at risk of, certain diseases. It can also guide treatment choices and help families plan for the future by identifying conditions that could be passed down to their children.
However, genetics can be a complex topic for most people to understand. That’s where a genetic counsellor comes in — a role not many people know exists, but one that’s incredibly important.
In conjunction with Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, we spoke with Tiong Shing Yiing, our very own Senior Genetic Counsellor, to learn more about her role in supporting patients as they navigate how their genes may influence their health and risk of disease.
What Does a Genetic Counsellor Do?
As a genetic counsellor, Shing Yiing is highly trained in medical genetics, which is the field of medicine that studies the relationship between genes and health.
She often sees patients who are referred by specialists for genetic testing to determine whether their cancer or condition has a genetic cause. She also meets with couples who wish to understand their risk of passing on inherited health conditions to their children, such as thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia.
Beyond patient consultations, Shing Yiing also collaborates closely with specialists, advising on the most suitable genetic tests and providing counselling support for their patients.
Drawing from her expertise, she helps identify potential risks, assess which genetic tests are most appropriate, and interpret complex test results in a way that patients can clearly understand.
What Happens During a Genetic Counselling Session?
Pre-Test Counselling
Before any genetic testing takes place, patients first meet with Shing Yiing for a detailed discussion, which can take up to one hour or more. During this session, she reviews their family history, explains the benefits and limitations of testing, and helps them understand the possible outcomes and their implications — not just for themselves, but for their families as well.
Based on the information gathered, she may recommend a more suitable or comprehensive test if the one initially proposed by their doctor is not the best fit.
This pre-test session is crucial, as the results of genetic testing can have significant emotional and psychological effects. Preparing patients beforehand helps minimise the potential distress that may arise once results are received, and also assess if the patient is able to handle a potentially positive result.
Post-Test Counselling
When test results are ready, Shing Yiing meets with patients again to explain what the findings mean. If a genetic condition is detected, she helps patients understand the implications and offers the psychological support they may need.
“Let’s say a woman is carrying a condition that could affect males in her next generation, or what we call an X-linked recessive condition. The mother may feel guilty, or her in-laws may blame her. In such cases, we provide a safe and supportive space for her to express her concerns,” shared Shing Yiing.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Genetic Counselling?
According to Shing Yiing, one of the biggest misconceptions is that people should only see a genetic counsellor if they are certain they want to proceed with genetic testing.
This is a common misconception, especially among those who have been referred by another specialist, and it is not true.
“After the counselling session, if you decide to not proceed with genetic testing, that’s entirely fine, because our purpose is to help you understand before making a decision,” adds Shing Yiing.
Bringing Hope Through Genetic Counselling
In one of her past sessions, Shing Yiing met a couple seeking advice before starting a family. One was an alpha thalassemia carrier and the other a beta thalassemia carrier. Naturally, they were worried that their future child might inherit a severe form of thalassemia.
Many might assume that when both parents are thalassemia carriers, their child would inevitably develop a serious condition. However, through a detailed genetic counselling session, Shing Yiing discovered that this was not the case for this couple.
“After reviewing their genetic profiles, we found that their future children would not inherit the severe form of thalassemia. At most, they might only be carriers of both alpha and beta thalassemia,” shared Shing Yiing.
The session brought the couple immense relief and a clearer understanding of their situation.
“It meant that they could safely plan for children,” she explained. “The session also helped them make sense of their previous DNA analysis, which had not been clearly explained before.”
Even in cases where results suggest a higher risk, there are still options available for affected couples.
“Couples can undergo in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and screen the embryos through pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) to ensure they do not carry the same genetic mutations as their parents,” added Shing Yiing.
Appreciating Those Who Help Us Understand Our Genes
With compassion and expertise, genetic counsellors like Tiong Shing Yiing help patients make sense of complex genetic information, guiding them through important health decisions with clarity and care.
As we mark Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day, we extend our appreciation to all genetic counsellors for their dedication in helping patients find clarity, confidence, and hope through knowledge.
To learn more about our genetic counselling services or to schedule a consultation with our genetic counsellor, please contact our Genomic Medicine SMC Careline here.
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