Other Women's Jobs // Falak Nisa-Arshad – Genetic Counsellor

NAME: Falak-Nisa Arshad

AGE: 33

JOB TITLE: Genetic Counsellor

ABOUT ME:

I am a UK trained Registered Genetic Counsellor specialising in Human Reproductive Genetics, with experience across the NHS, private fertility clinics, and genetic laboratories. I hold an MSc in Genetic and Genomic Counselling and an MSc in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine, grounding my work in rigorous science and evidencebased practice.

The heart of my work lies in supporting individuals and couples navigating the complexities of family planning, fertility, and inherited conditions. I help people understand genetic risk, interpret complex results, and make informed decisions that align with their values.

Part of my identity is being a mother to two boys, and that lived experience shapes the way I hold space for others. I understand the weight of hope, the fragility of uncertainty, and the profound courage it takes to build a family. I founded my own independent genetic counselling service to create a space where patients feel seen, heard, and supported, and where every conversation is grounded in trust.

A Day In My Life

6.30AM: Every morning starts with a healthy shot of a friendly gut bacteria drink and an allocated time for self-care. In order to be the best version of myself, I put an importance on ensuring I have alone time in the morning to centre myself.

7AM:The house is alive with the soft chaos of family life: two boys negotiating breakfast choices, shoes that mysteriously disappear, and the gentle rhythm of a home waking up. In this small window, I try to build moments that matter. A shared smile. A quick cuddle. A reminder that even in a world that moves fast, we can choose to slow down for each other. Genetics is about inheritance, yes, but also about legacy and the stories we pass on, the choices we make, the families we nurture.

9.30AM: By midmorning, I shift into clinical mode. This is the part of the day where listening becomes an act of service. When a patient sits in front of me (typically through a screen), my job is to detach from my own life and step fully into theirs.

Most consultations revolve around understanding genetic risk in the context of family planning. We talk about inheritance patterns, draw family trees, review medical histories, and explore the threads of uncertainty that often weigh heavily on people’s minds. I translate complex science into language that feels human, digestible, and empowering.

There is a quiet intimacy in these conversations. People share their fears, their hopes, their grief, their dreams. I hold their stories with care, knowing that the decisions they make may shape generations. After each session, I write notes; a mix of clinical details and reflections on what mattered most to the patient.

12NOON: Lunchtime it’s a breather, refuelling, hydration, a chance to stretch and reset. Sometimes I step outside for a few minutes of fresh air. Sometimes I sit quietly, letting the morning settle.

Sometimes writing a to do list and then putting it aside before I step away from my computer allows me to mentally recharge. This enables reconnection when writing correspondence to patients, healthcare professionals and colleagues.

2PM: The early afternoon is dedicated to growth. This can include support to research or to other individuals who aim to be trained in the field. I support postgraduate research, supervise projects, and contribute to studies that help refine how we counsel patients about reproductive genetics.

Evidence-based practice is the backbone of my work. I believe deeply in the power of research to shape conversations, challenge assumptions, and improve patient outcomes. These hours are spent reviewing data, discussing methodologies, planning ideas, and ensuring that the science we rely on is robust, current, and meaningful.

4PM: Late afternoon is my time to reconnect. Sometimes this means meditation. Sometimes a walk. Sometimes a session with my external clinical supervisor, where I process the emotional weight of the role. Genetic Counselling is intellectually demanding, but it is also emotionally layered. Holding space for others requires you to hold space for yourself. These moments of reflection help me stay grounded, compassionate, and clearminded.

6PM: I’m back home after school pickup. The shift from clinician to mother is immediate and instinctive. Dinner, homework, bathtime, laughter: the familiar choreography of family life. This is the part of the day that fills me back up. My family reminds me of the joy in the small things and the wonder in ordinary moments.

8PM: Once the kids are asleep, I return to my desk. This is when I write summary letters for the patients I’ve seen that day. These letters capture the essence of our conversation, the information discussed, the recommendations made, the next steps agreed upon.

10PM: The day ends with a cup of warm water. A moment to let the day settle, to breathe, to release, to disconnect.

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