GeneSight Testing
Personalized Support for Your Mental Health Journey
If you've ever felt like finding the right medication is just trial and error—you’re not alone. We know how exhausting that can be. At Arbit Counseling, we now offer GeneSight testing, a tool that can help take some of the guesswork out of psychiatric medication.
This simple cheek swab looks at your unique genetic makeup to help us understand which medications your body may respond to best—and which might be more likely to cause side effects. It’s not a magic fix, but it can be an incredibly helpful piece of the puzzle in getting you the support you need.
About GeneSight Testing
Roughly 1 in 6 Americans—around 40 million people—take psychiatric medication to support their mental health. But finding the right medication and dosage isn’t always straightforward. For many, it can be a long and frustrating process of trial and error that may take 6-8 months or more to get just right.
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Think of GeneSight as a roadmap. It looks at how your DNA might affect the way your body processes certain psychiatric medications—like those used for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more. That way, we can better tailor your treatment to what may actually work for you.
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Super simple. We collect a quick cheek swab during your session (or mail you a kit if you prefer to do it at home). The lab analyzes your sample, and within a few days, we get a detailed report. Together, we’ll walk through the results and talk about what it means for your care.
Medications in the report are grouped into:
Green: Medications that are likely to work well for you.
Yellow: Might work, but may need some adjusting.
Red: These may be less effective or come with more side effects.
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GeneSight can be especially helpful if:
You’ve tried a few medications and nothing’s felt quite right.
You’re dealing with tough side effects.
You’re just starting treatment and want a more personalized approach.
You have a family history of medication struggles.
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Often, yes! Medicare usually covers it, and many commercial insurance plans do too. If it’s not covered or partially covered, GeneSight will let you know before processing anything over $330. And we’ll help with all the insurance stuff—we handle prior authorizations, benefits checks, and any confusing paperwork so you don’t have to.
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If you’re self-pay, GeneSight offers a reduced rate of $330, and they also have interest-free payment plans.
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Once the lab gets your sample, we usually have results in just 1–2 days.
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Absolutely. If you prefer, we can send you a kit. You’ll just do a quick cheek swab, mail it back, and we’ll take it from there.
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Nope. If you’re already seeing Dr. Pumar or another provider at Arbit Counseling, we can guide you through the whole process.
Genesight testing with Dr. Margo Pumar?
Dr. Margo Pumar is a board-certified adult and reproductive psychiatrist who has spent over two decades supporting individuals through some of life’s most tender and challenging moments. She works with clients in both the Washington, D.C. area and the San Francisco Bay Area, offering care that is deeply human, collaborative, and grounded in trust.
Dr. Pumar believes that healing happens in relationship—and that feeling truly seen and heard is the starting point for meaningful change. She takes time to get to know you, listens closely to your story, and works with you to find a path forward that feels thoughtful, personalized, and aligned with who you are.
For those who’ve struggled to find the right medication, she offers GeneSight testing as one more way to bring clarity and precision to the process. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about walking alongside you, step by step, with warmth, curiosity, and care.
A Concierge-Level Experience at Arbit Counseling
At Arbit Counseling, we know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate mental health care—especially when you're already carrying so much. That’s why we’re here to make things a little easier, a little clearer, and a lot more supportive.
From the moment you reach out, our team is here to walk alongside you. We’ll take care of the insurance logistics (yes, even those frustrating prior authorizations) and help you understand your GeneSight results in a way that actually makes sense.
Whether you're in the Washington, D.C. or San Francisco Bay area, you can expect thoughtful, personalized care that’s rooted in relationship, not just results. We're not here to rush you—we’re here to support you. Every step of the way.
