Among most typical topics in psychological literature concerning genetic counseling are communication, decision making and risk evaluation. Notwithstanding the interest of such contributions, it is possible to underline the absence of an analysis of the context of counseling itself. Without a definition of context, psychological topics risk to result abstract if not meaningless. The Authors present a hypothesis for the construction of the counseling setting which, by making questions explicit, opens to the universe of emotions that are inevitably involved in decision making. In particular they insist on the possibility of a setting that is preemptive of negative emotions, particularly regret and remorse, frequently attached to decision making. Furthermore, the function of a psychological expert present in the setting is supported to exam its functions. In this perspective, genetic counseling takes, with respect to the necessary and correct flow of information, a significant value, joining in the continuous biological and psychological adaptive process of the life. Is supported the presence of a psychological consultant within the setting its functions.
Keywords: Genetic counseling, emotion, risk communication, risk perception, decision making.

Giovanni Guerra, Claudio Bartolozzi, Communication, Risk Evaluation, Decision Making: for the Construction of the Setting of the Genetic Counseling in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 3/2012, pp. 29-48, DOI:10.3280/PDS2012-003003