Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don't have to do anything else.
We don't have to advise, or coach, or sound wise.
We just have to be willing to sit there and listen.
Margaret J. Wheatley


Supportive Genetic Counseling is intended to complement the more traditional genetic counseling that is offered in medical centers. My focus is on the emotional responses patients and their partners may have following various obstetrical, pediatric or adult genetic concerns.

Each person is unique in the way they respond to these issues. Supportive genetic counseling may involve a one-time visit or multiple sessions, whatever it takes to initiate healing and moving forward. Patients are seen in a private office setting in Needham, Massachusetts or via a HIPAA compliant telemedicine platform.

Patient confidentiality is of utmost importance to me; what we discuss during a session remains protected. I will strive to provide the ongoing support many continue to need following a loss or genetic diagnosis.

Mary-Frances Garber is a board certified, licensed genetic counselor who earned her B.S. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Rochester and her M.S. in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. Having worked for many years in a high-risk obstetrical setting in the Antenatal Diagnostic Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital and at Newton Wellesley Hospital, she gained extensive counseling experience. She has worked with many families having various genetic, chromosomal or developmental conditions. She is now in private practice focusing on patients with concerns surrounding infertility, compromised pregnancy outcomes, a recent diagnosis of a birth defect or genetic condition, and those in the process of obtaining a diagnosis for their child. In addition to her private practice, Mary-Frances also works as a consultant for Genome Medical primarily seeing patients to evaluate their risks for hereditary cancer testing.