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 Rooting for Mental Health Heroes at the 2026 Winter Olympics The Winter Olympics has brought us unforgettable moments—Miracle on Ice, Torvill and Dean’s Bolero, the Jamaican bobsled team. They also showed heartbreak: cras... Read more Healthcare Provider PRIME Care Time-to-Event Analysis In 2022, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) undertook the Precision Medicine in Mental Health Care, or PRIME Care study, the largest phar... Read more Patient Healthcare Provider The GeneSight® Test: Announces New Updates As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our tests evolve with the latest scientific research and clinical needs, we’ve updated the GeneSight Test. Th... Read more Patient Is “Anxiety” on Your Playlist? “Anxiety, keep on tryin' me I feel it quietly, tryna silence me, yeah Anxiety, shake it off of me Somebody's watchin' me, it's my anxiety, yeah (Brrah) …And... Read more Patient Break the resolution cycle: How simple solutions can transform 2026 Like every year, many of us make New Year’s resolutions and try to stick to them, but broad, all-or-nothing changes often set us up for failure and can make... Read more Patient Antidepressant Fatigue in Seniors: A Caregiver’s Guide to Reducing Daytime Sleepiness Without Losing Symptom Control You’re spending time with the older adult in your care who also happens to have clinical depression. You’re keeping tabs on how well they’re doing and wheth... Read more Patient Empowering Senior Patient Care with Pharmacogenomics: Insights from the GeneSight Engage Webinar The most recent GeneSight Engage webinar explored how pharmacogenomic testing, particularly the GeneSight® test, is transforming the landscape of mental health ... Read more Patient BIPOC (formerly Minority) Mental Health Month: Breaking Stigma, Building Trust Despite many efforts to stem it, stigma around mental health still exists, particularly in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. July mark... Read more Patient Long-Term Effects of Antidepressants: What Research Shows Anyone who’s ever taken antidepressants for an extended period of time has probably wondered whether they’ll experience long-term effects: After years ... Read more Patient Have a Mindful Summer: Take a Breather with These Simple Exercises Summer is a great time to kick back and relax—if you can find the time. Managing the hustle and bustle of kids off school, planning for fun summer activities an... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Rooting for Mental Health Heroes at the 2026 Winter Olympics The Winter Olympics has brought us unforgettable moments—Miracle on Ice, Torvill and Dean’s Bolero, the Jamaican bobsled team. They also showed heartbreak: cras... Read more
Healthcare Provider PRIME Care Time-to-Event Analysis In 2022, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) undertook the Precision Medicine in Mental Health Care, or PRIME Care study, the largest phar... Read more
Patient Healthcare Provider The GeneSight® Test: Announces New Updates As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our tests evolve with the latest scientific research and clinical needs, we’ve updated the GeneSight Test. Th... Read more
Patient Is “Anxiety” on Your Playlist? “Anxiety, keep on tryin' me I feel it quietly, tryna silence me, yeah Anxiety, shake it off of me Somebody's watchin' me, it's my anxiety, yeah (Brrah) …And... Read more
Patient Break the resolution cycle: How simple solutions can transform 2026 Like every year, many of us make New Year’s resolutions and try to stick to them, but broad, all-or-nothing changes often set us up for failure and can make... Read more
Patient Antidepressant Fatigue in Seniors: A Caregiver’s Guide to Reducing Daytime Sleepiness Without Losing Symptom Control You’re spending time with the older adult in your care who also happens to have clinical depression. You’re keeping tabs on how well they’re doing and wheth... Read more
Patient Empowering Senior Patient Care with Pharmacogenomics: Insights from the GeneSight Engage Webinar The most recent GeneSight Engage webinar explored how pharmacogenomic testing, particularly the GeneSight® test, is transforming the landscape of mental health ... Read more
Patient BIPOC (formerly Minority) Mental Health Month: Breaking Stigma, Building Trust Despite many efforts to stem it, stigma around mental health still exists, particularly in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. July mark... Read more
Patient Long-Term Effects of Antidepressants: What Research Shows Anyone who’s ever taken antidepressants for an extended period of time has probably wondered whether they’ll experience long-term effects: After years ... Read more
Patient Have a Mindful Summer: Take a Breather with These Simple Exercises Summer is a great time to kick back and relax—if you can find the time. Managing the hustle and bustle of kids off school, planning for fun summer activities an... Read more