LAURA BULMER

CAPSTONE

Capstone Project Committee: Christy Stanley, M.S., CGC; Lauren Loffredo, M.S., CGC; Lauren Doyle, MGC, CGC; Rachel Mills, M.S., CGC

Genetic counseling graduate programs are professional programs that include clinical work alongside required coursework and thesis research. Therefore, students face emotional and mental demands of practicing genetic counselors while also experiencing common stressors of graduate students. Prior research suggest increased self-awareness may combat these stressors. This mixed-methods study assessed self-awareness among 154 genetic counseling graduate students using the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS), the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), and self-described experiences with self-awareness practice. Second year genetic counseling students reporting mindfulness practices had significantly higher scores on the Insight subscale of the SRIS than those who did not. However, as a whole, genetic counseling students had significantly lower mean scores on the MAAS and the Insight subscale of the SRIS than other health professionals. Students who reported self-care, reflection, and mindfulness practices in their curriculum reported benefiting from their experiences. Findings from this study have implications for integrating self-awareness practices into genetic counseling graduate curriculum.

Since Graduation

Laura is originally from Damascas, Maryland. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennesse. During her time at UNCG, she loved going hiking, rock climbing, and getting after-class beers with classmates around Greensboro. Laura is now working as a prenatal genetic counselor at MUSC in Charleston, SC. In additional to prenatal genetics, she is also interested in learning about how self-care and self-awareness impact genetic counselors and genetic counseling students.

In her free time, Laura loves spending time outdoors exploring Charleston’s beaches and awesome restaurants and breweries. She also loves down time with her cat, Rosie and her new puppy, Sunny.