Genetic Testing for Personalized Mental Health Care
Finding the right medication should not feel like guesswork.
At Ardent Counseling Center, we offer pharmacogenomic (PGx) genetic testing through Tempus to help take the uncertainty out of psychiatric medication decisions. A simple cheek swab can reveal how your body processes medications, giving your provider the insight they need to build a treatment plan that is truly designed for you.
What Is Genetic Testing for Mental Health?
Every person’s biology is different. Two people with the same diagnosis can respond to the same medication in completely different ways. Some people process certain psychiatric medications too quickly, meaning they clear the drug before it can work. Others process them too slowly, which can lead to side effects that make treatment feel worse than the condition itself.
Pharmacogenomic testing looks at specific genes that influence how your body metabolizes and responds to psychiatric medications. The results give your Ardent provider a detailed picture of which medications are likely to work well for you, which ones may cause problems, and what dosing approaches make the most sense given your unique genetic makeup.
This is not a diagnostic test. It does not diagnose depression, anxiety, or any other condition. What it does is remove a great deal of the trial and error that so often delays people from finding effective treatment.
About the Tempus nP Test
Ardent uses the Tempus nP pharmacogenomic test, a clinically validated tool that analyzes key genes affecting how the body processes psychiatric medications. The test informs medication selection and dosing for patients experiencing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.
Sample collection takes about five to ten minutes and can be completed in our clinic with your provider or at home using a take-home kit your provider orders. There is nothing complicated about the process. You provide a saliva or cheek swab sample, and the rest happens in the lab.
Once results are ready, your Ardent provider will review the report with you and discuss what the findings mean for your care. The report covers how you metabolize certain medications and how you may experience certain side effects, and those results can be used by your provider to help select the best treatment plan for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Genetic testing may be particularly valuable if you:
Have tried multiple medications without finding relief.
Have experienced unexpected or difficult side effects from psychiatric medications.
Are starting medication management for the first time and want a more informed starting point.
Are working with a provider to manage depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or a related condition.
If you are unsure whether genetic testing makes sense for your situation, your Ardent provider can walk you through the decision during a consultation.
For Referring Providers
Ardent Counseling Center welcomes referrals from primary care physicians, specialists, and other behavioral health providers across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Colorado.
The Tempus nP test is part of a comprehensive, data-driven platform designed to empower providers to offer precision mental health care. When your patients come to Ardent for genetic testing, they have access to a full continuum of behavioral health services including outpatient psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, TMS, and SPRAVATO.
We are committed to keeping referring providers informed and involved in their patients’ care. To refer a patient or discuss a case, contact us at (888) 870-1775 or info@ardentcenter.com.
How It Works
Schedule a consultation with an Ardent psychiatric provider.
Your provider determines whether genetic testing is appropriate for your care plan.
Complete a quick cheek swab sample collection in clinic or at home.
Receive your results and review them with your provider.
Your provider uses the findings to guide medication selection and dosing as part of your personalized treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is genetic testing covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Our team will work with you to determine your benefits before testing begins. Some patients may also use HSA or FSA funds to cover testing costs.
Will this test tell me what mental health condition I have?
No. This is a pharmacogenomic test focused on how your body processes medications. It is not a diagnostic tool for mental health conditions.
How long does it take to get results?
Results are typically available within a few weeks of sample collection. Your provider will schedule a follow-up to review findings with you.
Do I need to be a current Ardent patient to access this service?
No. New patients are welcome. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation and we can discuss whether genetic testing is the right next step for you.
You deserve a treatment plan built around your biology, not built by chance.
Ardent Counseling Center is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn whether Tempus genetic testing is right for you.
(888) 870-1775 | ardentcenter.com | info@ardentcenter.com
2500 West Higgins Road, Suite 105, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169-7220
(888) 870-1775
(847) 349-1619
2500 West Higgins Road, Suite 105, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169-7220