Move beyond managing symptoms.
Address the Root Cause
Reclaim your health with Functional Medicine.
Functional Medicine is the Future.
The conventional medicine model is failing people with chronic conditions, leaving them with pills, progressing symptoms and little hope.
I’ve been there. My consultants have been there.
Each of us have experienced our own healing journey with Functional Medicine. We have been the patient. It’s the reason why we’ve dedicated our careers to helping others find healing.
Meet Dr. Beard and discover her approach to Functional Medicine.
Functional Medicine determines how and why illness occurs and restores health by addressing the root causes of disease for each individual.The Institute for Functional Medicine
We believe the Functional Medicine approach...
Starts with listening.
We make time to thoroughly understand each patient’s history, lifestyle, concerns, and goals.Is proactive, not reactive.
Our goal is to optimize your health, not treat symptoms with pills.Is tailored to each unique individual. We don’t believe in pre-packaged, self-help-in-a-box solutions. Professional oversight and customization produces better outcomes.
Empowers the client. We provide resources and education so that each client can play an active role in their pursuit of optimal well-being.
Creates a strong relationship between client and healthcare provider. We strive to recreate the relationship that clients had with their doctors 50 years ago. They knew you. We are the high tech version of the time when doctors understood all aspects of a client's family history, lifestyle and environment.
So what exactly do we do? We...
Investigate all aspects of your health, including genetics, sleep quality, diet and nutrient status, physical activity, environmental and toxin exposures, and stressors to identify the root cause(s) contributing to inflammation, hormonal imbalances, immune dysfunction, alterations in microbiomes, etc.
Utilize standard and/or advanced diagnostic testing as needed to uncover the underlying imbalances and what may be causing them.
Develop personalized, integrative plans. We provide comprehensive recommendations and guidance on nutrition, exercise, toxin exposures and remediation, sleep, stress management, nutraceutical supplementation, standard and/or advanced diagnostic testing and therapeutic protocols.
Treat the metabolic imbalances and dysfunctions that contribute to chronic illness with an individualized & comprehensive approach. This approach includes a combination of interventional therapeutic protocols, diet protocols, exercise prescriptions, stress management techniques, nutraceuticals, and/or medications.
Empower, equip and educate our clients. We use a team approach to provide clients maximum support to implement recommendations and lifestyle interventions to optimize health. We consider our clients a part of the team.
We do this 100% online by utilizing Zoom, our HIPAA-compliant virtual meeting room. We can come to you no matter where you are.
Are you tired of being told you’re fine because your labs are “normal”?
Are you tired of seeing one doctor after another and not getting better?
Are you tired of being told “you’re just getting older”?
Are you tired of all the pills?
We hear you.
I’m ready to feel good again. Why should I choose your functional medicine practice?
- Credentials matter. We have the team of experts with the training and credentials you need.
- Our 100% online platform offers unparalleled accessibility to your healthcare team.
- Our team approach provides enhanced client support and accountability.
Credentials matter when it comes to choosing a provider.
- Dr. Beard is one of only 5 certified Functional Medicine practitioners in the United States who is also a board certified MD and dietitian.
- As a Medical Doctor (MD) board certified in Family Medicine and ER trained, Dr. Beard has vast experience working in conventional medicine. The shortcomings of conventional medicine in treating and resolving chronic disease led her to adopt a Functional Medicine approach.
- As a Dietitian, Dr. Beard uses her extensive training in nutrition to help clients optimize nutrient status and utilize food as medicine.
- As an Institute for Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, Dr. Beard has completed extensive training in systems biology, equipping her to move beyond the conventional model of medicine in order to uncover and address the root causes of chronic symptoms and disease.
- Specifically, Dr. Beard and her team have training in a Functional Medicine approach to cardiometabolic, gastrointestinal, hormone and immune imbalances, energy and mitochondrial dysfunction, detox, and reversing cognitive decline (The Bredesen Protocol).
100% Online is a 100% Better Experience.
- No waiting rooms; your appointment will begin and end on time.
- No time wasted on travel or getting ready for your appointment.
- Record and save your consultations to your computer for later reference.
- Schedule convenient follow up appointments to stay on track.
- Our unique accessibility makes us your back-pocket resource for optimal health.
Reaching your goals requires a seamless team of advocates.
- The Expert: Dr. Beard’s advanced training in nutrition, Functional and conventional medicine means she works diligently with your clinician and consultant to leave no stone unturned. Her recommendations are extensive and highly personalized to help uncover and address the root cause issues.
- The Clinician: Dr. Beard has recruited highly trained Functional Medicine clinicians to assist her in providing exceptional care. By utilizing our clinicians to see clients and having Dr. Beard oversee all cases, it allows for ample face-to-face time with each client to deeply investigate their case, customize their clinical care, answer all of their questions, and provide appropriate and adequate resources to further their understanding. This approach also allows Dr. Beard the necessary time for research, which is crucial for ensuring desirable patient outcomes.
- The Consultant/ Coach: Optimizing diet, lifestyle and environmental factors is foundational to the Functional Medicine approach, but requires more than just an expert recommendation. It requires an empathic, supportive professional leading you through therapeutic plans and implementing lifestyle and environmental changes. Our consultants have extensive training in coaching, administering interventional therapeutic protocols, and designing and implementing diet plans, exercise programs, and stress management techniques.
- The Client: While we bring our training and expertise to every encounter, we recognize our clients as the experts of their own experience. We take time to truly listen and then seek to empower clients with knowledge and resources to be their own best advocate and change-maker. Our clients are a crucial part of our team – we investigate together, we find solutions together, we make healing happen together.
Work With Us!
Step 1
Sign Up
You’ll get an email with instructions on how to get started, along with free educational videos and content from Dr. Beard!
Step 2
Complete the New Client Paperwork
The investigative process begins here! Our Functional Medicine intake forms take some time, but are the necessary first step in obtaining a comprehensive and holistic picture of your health history and lifestyle.
Step 3
Schedule Your Initial Consultation
Once you’ve requested the new client paperwork, we’ll provide a link to our calendar for you to schedule your initial consultation. Please note that all paperwork must be completed 1 week prior to your appointment.
Request Videos & New Client Information
Start your Functional Medicine journey with educational videos by Dr. Beard and information on how to become a client.
Our Process & Pricing
Functional Medicine is a process, and we’re in this together.
Most chronic conditions are the result of underlying metabolic imbalances that have been at work for months, years, or even a lifetime. Uncovering and correcting those imbalances will require patience and commitment.
We offer two paths of care for clients to choose from based on budget, patience and complexity of health issues. The first path includes functional health consultations only, while the second path incorporates clinical oversight and possible lab testing. In either path, clients work closely with a Functional Medicine Health Consultant, as they support the implementation of all aspects of your care plan and monitor your progress.
The first step for all new clients is a Health & Medical Investigation. So if you’re unsure which path is best, we can help you weigh the options at the initial visit.
The Initial Health & Medical Investigation includes:
- A 60-min online video-conferencing consultation with a Functional Medicine Health Consultant who has reviewed your comprehensive intake forms.
- Additional investigation of your health history, medical and health timeline, lifestyle and environmental exposures, diet and nutritional status, stressors, sleep hygiene, and many, many other things.
- Initial education on the underlying imbalances that may be contributing to your symptoms/ condition.
- Initial recommendations and options for the next steps of your health optimization pathway.
Path 1: Functional Medicine Health Consultations & Care Plan
Getting Started with Path 1 ($375)
- 60-min Initial Health & Medical Investigation as outlined above – $150
- Care Plan Development & a 60-min Care Plan Consultation – $225
Additional costs in this path may include:
- Regular follow-up coaching consultations – $100-300/ month
- Nutraceutical customization (costs vary)
Regular sessions with a Functional Medicine Health Consultant are excellent for clients needing to optimize the Functional Medicine lifestyle fundamentals: diet and gut health, exercise and movement, sleep, stress management, nutrient deficiencies, detoxification, and environmental toxin exposures. This can be a very cost effective way of addressing your health concerns, and many of our clients experience significant improvements when these areas are addressed. At any point a client may request for Dr. Beard’s input and clinical oversight. Requesting clinical oversight would transition that client into Path 2.
Path 2: Functional Medicine Clinical Oversight & Team-Based Care
Getting Started with Path 2 ($875)
- 60-min Initial Health & Medical Investigation as outlined above – $150
- Clinical Review & Care Plan Package – $725
- A 60-minute consultation with a Functional Medicine Clinician
- Dr. Beard’s case review & development of a team-based Care Plan
- A 60-minute care plan consultation with your Health Consultant.
As a part of your comprehensive care plan, additional costs in this path may include:
- Follow-up consultations with a Clinician and/or Health Consultant
- Nutraceutical customization and/or medication management
- A therapeutic protocol
- Standard and/or Specialty Lab testing
Path 2 is best for more complicated cases or for clients who opt for a more aggressive approach to uncovering and addressing the root causes of complex chronic health issues. In addition to working with a Functional Medicine Health Consultant, this option includes working directly with a Functional Medicine Clinician with Dr. Beard’s clinical oversight. From the information gathered during the initial health investigation, and any subsequent consultations with a Functional Medicine Health Consultant, Dr. Beard and the Functional Medicine Clinician complete a comprehensive case review. Clients then spend 60 minutes with their Clinician for further investigation and collaboration to determine the best approach for uncovering and addressing the root causes of the client’s health issues. After this visit, the Clinician and Dr. Beard create a comprehensive Care Plan that will be implemented by the Health Consultant. The cost of the Care Plan is impacted by therapeutic protocols, nutraceutical supplementation, and lab testing, as well as the number of consultations necessary to implement all recommendations.
Average Cost of Implementing Your Care Plan in Path 2: $575-975 (without lab testing)
We find it advantageous to first address underlying lifestyle, diet and gut health issues with a therapeutic protocol prior to testing. In many cases, lab testing can be avoided when these key areas are addressed, as symptoms often improve and/or resolve. In some cases, however, we may need to further investigate with lab testing prior to, during or after an initial protocol or lifestyle and diet modifications.
Cost of Lab Testing
Lab testing costs can vary greatly between clients. The range for standard labs alone is typically $200-300 (cash pricing). Specialty lab kits and panels can range from $200-$600, and sometimes these tests will need to be repeated to monitor progress. All lab tests require a 60-minute consultation with a Functional Medicine Clinician to review and discuss lab results. Our team will work with you to determine which tests, if any, will provide the most valuable information for the case. We always strive to avoid unnecessary testing.
Follow-Up Consultations
Additional consultations are available to further refine your plan or follow-up at a later time. The consultation rates are listed below.
Follow-Ups with a Health Consultant
- 40 min = $100
- 50 min = $125
- 60 min = $150
Follow-Ups with a Functional Medicine Clinician
- 30 min = $200
- 60 min = $350
- **60 min with your clinician and Dr. Beard = $550
**Working directly with our Functional Medicine Consultants and Clinicians and utilizing Dr. Beard’s expertise for case reviews and recommendations is the most cost effective way to successfully meet your Functional Medicine needs and goals. With that said, Dr. Beard is available to join 60-minute videoconferencing follow-ups with you and your clinician for those that would prefer to have her involved face-to-face. As previously mentioned, her oversight is present in all clinical cases, but we recognize in some cases clients prefer she be included in the conversation with their clinician.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance for our consultations, nor can clients bill insurance independently. Due to the current insurance model, there are no appropriate codes for reimbursement of our services. However, many health savings accounts will cover our consultation fees and services.
Clients in Arkansas and Mississippi (Mississippi clients require a referral) may use their insurance for standard labs. Please check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and note that we are considered an out-of-network specialist. For clients outside of these states, or clients who would prefer not to use insurance, we have negotiated very reasonable cash fee rates for many standard and advanced lab tests. We can provide these rates upon request.
Request Videos & New Client Information
Start your Functional Medicine journey with educational videos by Dr. Beard and information on how to become a client.
Live Empowered with a Comprehensive Care Plan
Regardless of the path you choose (consultant-only or clinical oversight), you will receive a personalized, comprehensive care plan. You can be sure you’ll leave your care plan consultation with so much more than a list of supplements. Our hope is to empower you with ample individualized resources and recommendations to take back your health.
Our Care Plans Include:
- An outline of our primary physiological concerns, as discussed in your consultations
- An individualized therapeutic nutrition plan complete with approved food lists, calorie and macronutrient recommendations (when appropriate) and extensive handouts & resources for implementing your plan
- Recommendations for optimizing sleep
- An exercise prescription detailing optimal frequency, intensity, duration and type
- Stress management resources to help you identify the best ways to activate your relaxation response and facilitate restoration and healing
- Toxin reduction recommendations based on your exposures
- A personalized protocol or nutraceutical plan
- Medication adjustment (if necessary; available only with clinician oversight)
- Lab recommendations (if necessary; available only with clinician oversight)
Advanced Diagnostic Testing
For some clients, getting to the root cause requires digging deeper with advanced specialty labs.
Want to see what some of our advanced diagnostic lab tests look like? Click the name of a lab report below to view a sample. Please note that it is imperative these tests be interpreted by someone with the appropriate training.
Diurnal Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones
This advanced hormone testing was developed to improve on available hormone testing options. This test offers the most extensive profile of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites. Additionally, the daily (diurnal) pattern of free cortisol is included, along with melatonin (6-OHMS), 8-OHdG, and six organic acids.
Organic Acids Test
The Organic Acids Test (OAT) offers a comprehensive metabolic snapshot of a patient’s overall health with over 70 markers. It provides an accurate evaluation of intestinal yeast and bacteria. The test also includes markers for vitamin and mineral levels, oxidative stress, neurotransmitter levels, and is the only OAT to include markers for oxalates, which are highly correlated with many chronic illnesses.
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
The Comprehensive Stool Analysis can help assess digestive and absorptive functions, the presence of opportunistic pathogens and to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic remediation of GI disorders. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing to prescriptive and natural agents is also performed for appropriate bacterial and fungal species at no additional charge.
NutrEval
Genova’s NutrEval FMV evaluates overall nutritional status to determine personalized supplementation needs for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids, digestive support, and other select nutrients. This advanced diagnostic tool to guides nutritional therapies, often augmenting and speeding recovery of complex chronic conditions.
Urine Toxic Metals
Urine elements are traditionally used to evaluate exposure to potentially toxic elements and wasting of nutrient elements. Additionally, the comparison of urine element concentrations before and after administration of a chelator can be used to estimate net retention of potentially toxic elements.
SIBO Breath Test
Genova’s SIBO breath test captures exhaled hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases following patient ingestion of a lactulose solution to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine.
Optimal Nutrition Evaluation (O.N.E.)
The Optimal Nutrition Evaluation is a nutritional test to assess the functional need for antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals, digestive support, and amino acids. Insights gained from the ONE nutritional test allows clinicians to target nutritional therapies to the precise needs of their patients.
Why do you use Functional Medicine consultants?
Dr. Beard’s Functional Medicine personalized care plans are comprehensive and often require the implementation of therapeutic protocols and significant changes to diet and lifestyle. Dr. Beard recognizes that clients need more than her clinical expertise alone to be successful with her recommendations. She believes the best practice of Functional Medicine requires the use of professionals trained and mentored in coaching techniques, positive psychology, behavior change and optimizing nutrition, exercise, stress management and mind-body-spirit well-being. Furthermore, it is Dr. Beard’s mission to make Functional Medicine more accessible “to anyone, from anywhere.” Utilizing consultants and having an online model is the most cost-effective way for Dr. Beard to offer her expertise to our clients.
Meet Our Team
Amy Beard, MD, IFMCP
Director, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Amy Beard was born and raised along the banks of the Mississippi River and has called Little Rock, AR home for the past 20+ years. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. She became a...
Lindley Kinard DNP, APN, FNP-C
Functional Medicine Clinician
Lindley is passionate about providing exceptional medical care with the utmost kindness. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she thrived working with kids as a Registered Nurse in CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She now loves caring for patients of all...
Hannah Tikson, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Hannah is passionate about helping people optimize their health so that they can love God and others at their highest capacity. She has worked on the Amy Beard MD team since 2017 and in the field of fitness and wellness as a coach, teacher, researcher and educator...
Jennifer Pickett, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Jennifer is a Dietitian turned Functional Medicine Health Coach. She realizes that the last thing a woman needs is another unrealistic diet plan. She believes that to make the shift from “knowing what to do” to the actual “doing”, one must start with their mindset by...
Paul Buch, BS
Food Sourcing and Traditional Cooking Techniques
I grew up learning farming, gardening, cooking and “old school” practical knowledge from my mother. For thousands of years mothers and grandmothers passed on their knowledge to their daughters and sons. That changed dramatically in the last 100 years, for the worse....
Amy Beard, MD, IFMCP
Director, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Amy Beard was born and raised along the banks of the Mississippi River and has called Little Rock, AR home for the past 20+ years. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. She became a...
Lindley Kinard DNP, APN, FNP-C
Functional Medicine Clinician
Lindley is passionate about providing exceptional medical care with the utmost kindness. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she thrived working with kids as a Registered Nurse in CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She now loves caring for patients of all...
Hannah Tikson, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Hannah is passionate about helping people optimize their health so that they can love God and others at their highest capacity. She has worked on the Amy Beard MD team since 2017 and in the field of fitness and wellness as a coach, teacher, researcher and educator...
Jennifer Pickett, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Jennifer is a Dietitian turned Functional Medicine Health Coach. She realizes that the last thing a woman needs is another unrealistic diet plan. She believes that to make the shift from “knowing what to do” to the actual “doing”, one must start with their mindset by...
Paul Buch, BS
Food Sourcing and Traditional Cooking Techniques
I grew up learning farming, gardening, cooking and “old school” practical knowledge from my mother. For thousands of years mothers and grandmothers passed on their knowledge to their daughters and sons. That changed dramatically in the last 100 years, for the worse....
Our Clients
- Gain more energy
- Overcome brain fog
- Reach mood stabilization
- Achieve hormonal balance
- Restore gut health
- Reduce/Resolve Inflammation
- Optimize immune function
- Lose weight
- Sleep better
- FEEL BETTER!
We Treat the Following (and more!)
Acne, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, Arthritis, Asthma, Autism, Spectrum Disorder, ADD, ADHD, Autoimmune Diseases, Cancer Prevention, Chronic, Fatigue, Chronic Sinusitis, Depression and Anxiety, Detoxification and Healing, Diabetes, Digestive Disorders (IBD, IBS, GERD/Reflux), Eczema/Psoriasis, Elevated Cholesterol, Environmental and Food Allergies, Fatigue, Female Disorders (PMS, Menopause, Infertility, PCOS), Fibromyalgia, Fluoroquinolone Toxicity, Healthy Aging, Healthy Weight and Metabolism, Heart Health, Hormone Balance, Interstitial Cystitis, Low Testosterone, Mercury and Heavy Metal Toxicity, Metabolic Syndrome, Pre-Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Migraines and Headaches, Multiple Sclerosis, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, Sleep/Insomnia, Thyroid and Adrenal Disorders.
Here’s what our clients have to say…
I wanted to write this letter to thank you and your team for changing our lives forever with your Functional Medicine Practice. Because of your diet program we are living healthier, eating better, and feeling physically stronger. Every stage of your program made so much sense to us that we found it very easy to follow and the results were immediate. For someone who loves carbs and sugars, we now have no cravings for such foods. We enjoy eating clean foods and look forward to meal planning which was always a chore prior to this plan. We could go on and on about how much happier we are now but one thing is certain and that is you have shown us that eating healthy with exercise promotes a longer quality life which we look forward to now. I have been seeing Dr. Amy Beard for several years now and have always received great care. My health issues are somewhat complicated and Dr. Beard has really helped me achieve a better quality of life. She is refreshingly knowledgeable about non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical treatments for many health issues but is also extremely up to date when it comes to traditional western medicine also. I believe the combination of these approaches makes Dr. Beard unique and completely unparalleled when it comes to preventing and treating disease. Dr. Beard takes the time to talk about not only your symptoms but also your lifestyle and will explain why lifestyle is so important to our overall health and wellbeing. She has been a blessing to me. I don't know where I would be without her thoughtful and caring approach to healthcare. After delivering my fourth baby I could not get back to myself. Instead of only spending 5 minutes with me and prescribing me more antidepressants to cover the symptoms, Dr. Beard and her team spent TIME with me to find the best way back to health…that would not hurt me in the long run. I feel better than I have in a very long time and have her (and her team) to thank. I would like to also say that the HCG diet was certainly the springboard to my good health…that’s for sure.
Request Videos & New Client Information
Start your Functional Medicine journey with educational videos by Dr. Beard and information on how to become a client.
The Hallmarks of a Functional Medicine Approach
Client-Centered Care
Functional medicine promotes health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease. By listening to the client and learning his/her story, the practitioner brings the client into the discovery process and tailors treatments that address the individual’s unique needs.
An Integrative, Science-Based Healthcare Approach
Functional medicine practitioners look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle that can lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each client is considered, along with both internal (mind, body, and spirit) and external (physical and social environment) factors that affect total functioning.
Fusing Best Medical Practices
Functional medicine combines traditional Western medical practices with what is sometimes considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine, creating a focus on restoring balance by addressing diet and nutrient status, inflammation, exercise and movement, stress, toxin exposures, genetic considerations, etc; use of both standard and specialty laboratory and diagnostic testing; and prescribed combinations of nutraceuticals, botanicals, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, and/or stress-management techniques.
How Functional Medicine is Different
Conventional medicine…
- Primarily treats patients with a drug-centered approach
- Breaks the problem into individual components, treating each with a separate medication
- Is highly influenced by insurance and pharmaceutical companies
- Relies on a physician’s traditional medical training as the only toolkit for treatment
A Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner…
- Digs deeper to find and treat the underlying biological imbalances driving disease
- Views the body as an interconnected system
- Is highly influenced by evidence-based research in both traditional and non-traditional medicine
- Is equipped with advanced training in understanding systems biology, utilizing advanced diagnostic testing and leveraging lifestyle, nutraceuticals and sometimes medication to correct imbalances