Curious about your health risks?

Genetic counselling can help.

CONTACT US TO BOOK

We are here for you every step of the way

Have you ever wondered how your family’s health history might affect you? While genetics play a part in many health conditions, some illnesses carry a higher genetic risk than others.

By analyzing your medical and family history and any genetic test results you may have, our bilingual, Canadian board-certified genetic counsellors can determine your genetic risks to help you and your healthcare provider make informed, precise, and personalized decisions about your healthcare and, sometimes, the care of your family, too. These services are available to patients with a healthcare provider referral and can be arranged as part of a contract with research or clinical partnerships.

We are here for you every step of the way

Research shows that people who receive genetic testing without first speaking to a genetic counsellor feel less satisfied and are less sure about what to do with the information they receive.

Meet our Genetic Counsellors

Kate Gardiner MS, CGC, CCGC

"The field of genetics is constantly changing and improving the lives of individuals. As a GC, I most love being an educator and advocate in this field that empowers individuals to take control of their own health.”

Ruth Godoy MSc, CGC, CCGC

"As a Genetic Counsellor and soon-to-be mother, [a] genetics consultation is an important part of planning a pregnancy. Being here for patients, helping [them] gain access to testing is a large part of my job."

Dawn Siciliano MSc, CCGC

"Being able to help people, educating them on genetics, empowering them... that's significant. Having been exposed to genetic counselling at a young age with my family, that's when I knew I was interested in genetics."

Rochelle Demsky MS, CGC

“I love being a GC as I am constantly learning. My true passion is to help patients, especially during times of high stress, educate them and give them the information they can use to make decisions for their health.”

Laura Hunnisett MS, CCGC

“It’s important to me to make genetic information clear and accessible to everyone. Navigating hereditary conditions and genetic testing can be daunting, so as a genetic counsellor, I want to offer support to my patients through their diagnostic odyssey.”

Our key services include: 

Our key services include
  • A review and detailed discussion of an individual’s medical and family history
  • An analysis of potential risk for hereditary conditions
  • A written summary of relevant inheritance patterns and causes of conditions sent to both you and your ordering healthcare provider
  • A medical picture of your family tree (pedigree) sent to you and your ordering healthcare provider
  • A discussion on follow-up genetic testing, including the benefits and limitations of genetic tests
  • A review of genetic test results that you may have

CONTACT US TO BOOK

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can benefit from genetic counselling at LifeLabs?

Booking a consult with a LifeLabs genetic counsellor may be right for you if you:

  • Are generally healthy, but would like to learn more about your genetic risks to take preventative care
  • Have a personal or a family history of a condition that may be genetic
  • Are pregnant, have had difficulty getting pregnant or are considering pregnancy and would like to understand the risk of passing genetic disorders onto your children
  • Are interested in tailored drug treatment options
  • Would like to learn more about genetic testing options for diseases
  • Paid for a genetic test and need help understanding the results
  • Are seeking a research or clinical partnership to support the needs of your project and/or service

In the public healthcare system, there are a variety of indications where an individual’s doctor may refer them to see a genetic counsellor. Genetic counselling may be right for you if:

  • You, your child, or another family member were diagnosed with or suspected of having a genetic condition
  • You have a family history of cancer or a health issue such as Alzheimer’s disease, a heart disorder, or another genetic condition, and are wondering if you or your family members might inherit it
  • You are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant and have questions about your baby inheriting a condition
  • You are struggling with infertility and are wondering what genetic testing might tell you

(Source: NSGC 2017). Your doctor can refer you to a genetic counsellor by finding a local clinic here. Consults at LifeLabs are not covered under provincial healthcare plans.

At LifeLabs, we offer genetic testing in the areas of family planning and oncology. Depending on the test, formal pre-test and/or post-test counselling with summary letters may already be included in the price of the test.

Clinical information support is available for all genetics tests to answer any questions or help patients decide if these tests are right for them. After receiving the results, patients will need to speak with their healthcare provider before speaking with a genetic counsellor.

Patients and healthcare providers can call 1-84-GENE-HELP or email ask.genetics@lifelabs.com to connect with a genetic counsellor before or after a test with any questions they may have. Genetic counsellors are not able to disclose results but are happy to answer questions about a report once it has been reviewed by the ordering healthcare provider.

If a more formal session is requested to review medical and family history in the context of testing options or results, LifeLabs offers fee-for-genetic counselling services.

TEST TYPE TEST SUPPORT PRE-TEST POST-TEST
Hereditary cancer (e.g.: BRCA1/2) testing
Panorama Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)    
SignateraTM    
Expanded Carrier Screening (ECS)  

* Counselling is performed through LifeLabs Genetics or a LifeLabs Genetics partner. 

  • Each session lasts up to 60 minutes at the cost of $250 per session, and can be provided by phone or online videoconferencing, depending on the patient’s preference
  • Consultations are available in English and French
  • A review and detailed discussion of an individual’s medical and family history
  • An analysis of potential risk for hereditary conditions
  • A written summary of relevant inheritance patterns and causes of conditions sent to both you and your ordering healthcare provider 
  • A medical picture of your family tree (pedigree) sent to you and your ordering healthcare provider
  • A discussion on follow-up genetic testing, including the benefits and limitations of genetic tests
  • If applicable, interpretation of genetic test results in the context of the medical and family history

Genetic counselling sessions are completely tailored to the test you are considering or have selected, your goals for genetic testing, your health conditions and status, and your questions. The counselling session enables you to voice concerns in a safe, confidential, open-minded environment.

These counselling sessions are designed for adults. Parents and guardians should attend on a child’s behalf. The session may, at your discretion, include a healthcare provider(s), a spouse or partner, and/or family members. We recommend limiting participation to 2 or 3 people, in addition to the genetic counsellor, as the sessions may become emotional, cover complex and sensitive topics, and are limited by time.

To book a consultation, speak to your healthcare provider, who will have to fax over a completed signed referral form. Once received along with payment ($250 for up to a 60-minute session), one of our genetic coordinators will reach out to you. Consultations can be booked on the same day and are offered at 9:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. ET from Monday - Friday, subject to availability.

For questions about appointment booking, contact the genetics helpline at 1-844-363-4357 (ext. 0).

Before your consultation, you may wish to prepare questions and concerns for your genetic counsellor to address. Prior to your session, you will be requested to complete the medical and family history part of the referral form. It is helpful to try to determine the ages of family members (living or deceased) and the ages at diagnoses in the family where applicable. After completion, your healthcare provider will provide the form to LifeLabs.

During your consultation, your genetic counsellor will ask questions about your personal and familial health history, followed by a discussion about whether these conditions can be inherited, and by whom. The genetic counsellor will then inform you about any tests they may recommend and give you the opportunity to ask additional questions. The genetic counsellor will also interpret genetic test results as requested in the context of the medical and family history.

After the session, the genetic counsellor will prepare a summary letter for you and your healthcare provider with your genetic risks and recommendations This letter will be sent to you over an encrypted email after identity has been verified electronically. If an individual does not have access to email, a mailing option is available.

If you need to speak to a genetic subsequent to your initial session (e.g., you subsequently paid for genetic testing and need help interpreting results), another referral and fee will be required.

According to the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors (CAGC):

… work as members of a healthcare team, providing individuals and families with information on the nature, inheritance, and implications of genetic disorders to help them make informed medical and personal decisions.

… identify individuals and/or families who may have or be at risk for a genetic condition, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of occurrence or recurrence, and review available options with the individual/family in a manner that promotes informed choice.

… help people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of how genetics contributes to disease.

… guide individuals/families in discussions about test result interpretation, prevention, medical management, and options for prenatal diagnosis.

… provide supportive counselling to individuals/families with sensitivity to ethnic and cultural diversity and they address potential ethical issues.

Contact Us

Genetic testing can seem complicated. Our team of certified genetic counsellors and client-care specialists are available to support you along the way.



To ensure we provide you with the correct information, please select your province.

map
To ensure we provide you with the correct information, please select your province.
  • British Columbia
  • Ontario
  • Alberta
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon