Genetic Insight

19/12/2025

23/10/2025

What story are your genes telling? Are you curious to find out?

Our genes hold so much information about our roots, our health, who we are and what our future, and the futures of those to come, might look like.

What could yours tell you?

Genetic testing is a powerful way to peer inside what (literally) builds us into the people we are. More than this is the ability of genetic testing to tell us something of the future.

What's my chance of getting cancer?
What can i change now that could change my future?
What might my kid's lives be like? Is there anything they might have to watch out for in the future? Is there anything I can do now to make their futures better?
Will I be ok?

We can learn this, and so much more, for so many conditions caused by changes in our genes.

We just need to be curious.

12/10/2025

Genetic testing can be life changing.

21/09/2025

Breast cancer Awareness month is fast approaching.

Did you know you can have genetic testing to find out if your risk for breast cancer (and other cancers) is higher than the general population risk?

Curious? Get in touch for more information.

21/02/2025

🥳Genetic Insight is turning one! 🥳

I never thought I would start a business and yet here I am, celebrating its first birthday!

What an incredible year it has been, working with wonderful people to create my brand and website, putting together content, figuring out business management and helping more than 40 people through the process of genetic testing.

It has been fun and challenging and so rewarding. I love being a genetic counsellor. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and witnessing their empowerment through genetic knowledge.

To celebrate my first year in business, 10 people will receive a 15% discount on an initial appointment with Genetic Insight.

If you're interested, visit our website and submit a request for an appointment using the discount code GIONE15% (terms and conditions apply).

It's not too late to start the journey towards more informed health.

Terms and conditions:
🧬Available only to people based in Aotearoa NZ
🧬There is no obligation to access genetic testing following an initial appointment
🧬Discount applies to an initial appointment only and does not apply to the cost of testing or the cost associated with receiving results
🧬Costs associated with an initial appointment may vary
🧬See website for more details and terms and conditions of accessing services through Genetic Insight LTD

14/02/2025

❤️Happy Valentine's Day! ❤️

As we think about the loves in our life, it's also a good reminder to think about the health of your heart.

If you knew you had a higher-than-average risk of developing heart disease, you could make proactive choices to change the outcome.

Genetic testing in genes that are linked with causing heart disease can help you to understand your risks so you can be proactive with your health.

If you have a family history of heart disease, genetic testing may provide closure for your family by identifying a genetic mechanism which could explain why so many people have struggled with their heart health. And you could learn about your own risks and what you can do to change the narrative.

Get your heart health checked with genetic testing through Genetic Insight.

Get in touch today to make an appointment!

05/12/2024

When Louise first made contact with me, she wasn't sure she needed to see a genetic counsellor. She felt she had a good understanding of the condition affecting her family and was keen to just get the test. This isn't an uncommon feeling. Understandably, once someone has decided to be tested for a condition in their family, they just want answers.

After our first appointment, she thanked me for taking the time to talk through some of the complexities of testing for familial heart conditions, including how results can impact us emotionally. She was grateful to have had the opportunity to go through everything with me.

Communication is such an important part of genetic counselling. Genetic counsellors understand that every person they see comes to an appointment with a different understanding of the condition they're concerned about, and different feelings about how a result might change things in their future. Our goal for each appointment is to understand your perspective and experience, and fill in any gaps if they're there, so you can head into testing feeling fully informed and as prepared for your result as possible.

Hearing from Louise that I had done my job and done it with kindness was so wonderful. We all need kindness, but especially when we are facing something scary that could potentially change our lives and the lives of our family.

*shared with permission*

28/11/2024

Genetic counselling and testing are not just about understanding DNA; they’re about understanding people. Clients come with their own stories, hopes, and fears, and the journey through accessing genetic information often stirs deep emotions.

Anxiety and uncertainty about the future is very common. Genetic testing leads to questions like: What will the genetic results show? How will this impact my future? How will it impact my family?

Guilt and responsibility stem from feeling it is our fault others in the family, particularly children, are at risk of a genetic illness. Or it may come about because someone is the only one of their siblings who does not have a genetic condition.

Many people with a family history of a genetic condition have lost loved ones or have seen them change as an illness progresses. They may also feel loss for a future they hoped to experience; one without the impact of a genetic condition.

Given most genetic conditions are rare, people affected can feel isolated or alone, with few people (including health professionals) truly understanding their experiences.

There are lots of decisions to make when faced with genetic testing, often with no clear right or wrong choice. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out which is the right choice for your unique circumstances, beliefs and values.

Knowing ourselves and who we are is impacted by so many things, including our health. Genetic testing can destabilase our idea of who we are and who we will be in the future.

Once results are available, there can be a sense of relief, but there can also be so much to adjust to - new treatments, new options for having children, new healthcare providers to meet. There can be a lot of change.

With so much potential emotion involved, genetic counsellors are essential for supporting people through genetic testing. With skills like empathy, clear communication and a knowledge of the potential impact of genetic testing, genetic counsellors are able to navigate the emotions that are present and gently guide someone through them.

I've included a few of the skills I use regularly to help clients. Can you think of any more?

19/11/2024

It's hard to believe, but the summer festive season is just around the corner. I am getting in early to let you know there will be changes to clinical availability for new clients over the summer period. So, if you are thinking about doing genetic testing, jump in now before we close over December and January.

Genetic Insight will be closed from the 2nd of December, so the last day for new clinic appointments will be the 29th of November. We re-open again in January, with the first bookings available on the 27th of January 2025.

(Existing clients will still be able to contact Genetic Insight with any queries, and results that arrive during this time will be given out).

If you book in for an appointment in the next two weeks, results will be available from about the end of January (for most tests. Some exceptions exist). You can kick off the new year with knowledge about your genetic risks and a plan for moving towards empowered health.

What are you waiting for?

DM us now to arrange an appointment, or you can find more details at our website (link in bio).

17/11/2024

Are you interested in getting genetic testing, but are worried about giving a blood sample? Are you frustrated by the wait to be seen in public? Does it all feel too difficult to arrange?

A recent client, Penny, found the experience "quicker and easier than [she] anticipated."

At Genetic Insight, the majority of our testing is done through a laboratory called Blueprint Genetics - they use saliva samples. After meeting with a genetic counsellor, a saliva collection kit is posted to your house so you can give a sample. This sample is couriered to the laboratory for testing.

Once the lab receives your sample, testing takes 4-6 weeks for a result. The genetic counsellor will contact you to set up an appointment to discuss your results.

It's that easy.

And the best part? Genetic Insight has availability within 1-2 weeks for your appointment. There is no need to wait on long waitlists to be seen.

Get in touch today to start the process.
Link in bio to request an appointment.

08/10/2024

Do you have a family of colorectal cancer? Was anyone diagnosed at a young age (under 50y)?

You could be at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Genetic testing can clarify your risks, enabling you to make informed choices about managing your risks.

If you are confirmed to have a high risk for colorectal cancer, what can you do about it?

Regular colonoscopy (a camera-directed scope of your bowels) is an extremely powerful screening tool. Not only does it increase the chance of finding cancer early, but cancer risks can be reduced because polyps (which can turn into cancer) can be taken out.

In some circumstances, a person with a high risk for colorectal cancer may be advised to think about having part of their bowel removed as a way to reduce their risks.

For some people, a regular, low dose of aspirin can help reduce their cancer risk.

If you think you may have an increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak to your GP about your family history and they may be able to refer you for a colonoscopy.

The best way, however, to get personalised information about your risks and how to manage them is through accessing genetic testing. Get in touch with Genetic Insight to see if genetic testing could be right for you.