Genetic Testing in Behavioral Health Treatment for Teens
“We tried five different medications…nothing worked.”
If you’ve ever felt like there were no good options–and medications just don’t work–to manage mental health, you are not alone. Nearly half of mental health patients stop taking meds because of negative side effects.
Behavioral health treatment has come a long way. Today, clinicians are increasingly embracing tools that personalize care—recognizing that what works for one individual may not work for another. Among the most promising innovations in this evolving landscape is genetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomics.
By analyzing how a person’s genes affect their response to medications, genetic testing offers new hope for more precise, effective treatment, especially in the areas of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and substance use. Instead of relying solely on trial and error, providers can now use a teen’s unique genetic profile to guide medication decisions and improve long-term outcomes.
What is Genetic Testing in Behavioral Health?
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how a person’s genetic makeup affects their response to medications. In simple terms, it looks at how your body processes medicine—how fast, how effectively, and whether you’re more likely to experience side effects. Everyone’s DNA is different, and those differences can help explain why a medication works well for one person but not another.
For example, there are over 30 different branded formulations of prescription medications available with FDA approval to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-related symptoms. Brands like Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, and Focalin are just a small sampling of what could be prescribed.
That is a lot of trial and error to find the ‘right’ medication–and the right dose. This process often results in a lot of frustration from the client as they experience a range of side effects with varying levels of improvement in their symptoms.
Add a co-occurring diagnosis like oppositional defiance or reactive attachment disorder the puzzle becomes increasingly complicated.
Benefits for Teens and Families
Genetic testing can help reduce frustration by identifying how a teen’s body is likely to respond to specific medications allowing providers to make more informed prescribing decisions from the start. That means:
- Faster relief from symptoms
- Fewer side effects
- Less time switching medications
And for families, it offers more than just medical clarity—it provides emotional relief and confidence in the care process. With personalized insights, parents and providers can work together to make informed choices that align with the teen’s unique needs, reducing guesswork and improving long-term outcomes.
What Genetic Testing Can (and Can’t) Do
This kind of testing is not a diagnosis, and it’s certainly not a cure. It doesn’t predict a teen’s behavior, personality, or mental health outcomes. What it does offer is valuable insight into how a person’s body may process certain medications—information that can help guide, but not replace, clinical decisions.
Genetic testing in behavioral health works best as part of a whole-person approach. It should be combined with:
- A Thorough Clinical Assessment
- Ongoing Therapy and Counseling
- Family Support and Collaboration
- Spiritual or Values-Based Care
When used in partnership with skilled providers, this tool can help reduce trial-and-error and make treatment more precise—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
How It Works–and How Your Clinician Will Use the Results
At Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, our clinical team may use genetic testing as a tool to aid in medication management decisions. We utilize a non-invasive cheek swab collection method performed onsite by one of our clinicians. The sample is then sent to a medical-grade lab for analysis and the results are forwarded back to our psychiatric nurse practitioner for review and use.
This is a physician-ordered, medical-grade lab test that is fully protected under HIPAA.
Clinicians often use the report as an educational tool for families, helping them understand:
- Why a particular medication was chosen or avoided
- What to expect during the trial period
- How the treatment plan supports long-term goals
This empowers parents and teens to make informed decisions and stay engaged in the treatment process.