Kendra Schaa-Genetic Counseling&"Response-able" Possibilities of Pregnancy Termination for Medical..

Genetic Counseling and "Response-able" Possibilities of Pregnancy Termination for Medical Reasons Genetic counselors practice at the intersection of disclosing life-changing diagnoses and helping clients explore beyond the science to “why me?”. Prenatal counselors support parents who are navigating the existential questions and “response-able” possibilities of pregnancy termination for medical reasons (TFMR) or who have made this heartbreaking choice. This population represents a marginalized group who experiences long-term psychological distress and every aspect of Frankl’s Tragic Triad of Suffering, Guilt, and Death simultaneously. This presentation will illustrate the application of logotherapy to guide genetic counseling practice at the bedside of medical and moral decision-making and reduce long-term psychological distress in this population. Educational Objectives: · Describe the existential distress and psychological impact surrounding pregnancy termination for medical reasons. · Review the role of genetic counseling in mitigating the existential vacuum that can occur in reproductive decision-making. · Illustrate the application of logotherapy in genetic counseling practice.