HomeProvider StoriesI use the GeneSight test because it gives me objective data I use the GeneSight test because it gives me objective data July 21, 2020 Carmen Kosicek, MSN, APNP, PMHNP-BCWisconsin I came to psychiatry via a rather circuitous route. As a Nurse Midwife, working with female inmates in a maximum-security women’s prison, I discovered that many incarcerated women suffered from mental health issues. I was so moved by them and their struggles that I decided I wanted to help on a broader scale. I returned to school and became a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. As the CEO and Founder of Alay Health Team, I now have several psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners working with me in Wisconsin as we continue to experience growth. The residents of this state, WI, severely lack resources to mental health care. In fact, Wisconsin is the second ranked state in the nation in the shortage of psychiatric prescribing providers. My team mainly treats a large, rural population throughout Wisconsin. We offer telepsychiatry in small and medium sized towns across Wisconsin, and we have additionally expanded to offering our services in Arizona and Oregon. The GeneSight Psychotropic Test: Objective Data I have used the GeneSight Psychotropic test since I founded my practice. I first heard about the GeneSight test while I was in school in the Apple Distinguished Program for innovation, leadership and educational excellence at the University of Cincinnati. When we were taught about pharmacogenomics, I thought it was the biggest “no brainer” ever. I introduce it to my clients by asking if they would like to have a test that will help to aid in the selection as they often have been on many different medications. The test would help strategically inform me which medications may require dose adjustments, may be less likely to work, or may have an increased risk of side effects based on the patient’s genetic makeup. I have used it routinely on Medicare/Medicaid patients that have failed at least one psychotropic medication, and often on younger clients who have already been on multiple medications. If I have a patient who has tried and failed two medications from one class, I order the GeneSight test. I love the GeneSight test as it provides objective data. As a prescriber, objective data in turn informs the decision-making process for the plan of care. Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more