Functional Medicine Strategies for Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders
A Functional Medicine Approach to Depression, Anxiety & Mood Changes
We help patients uncover and address the root causes driving anxiety, depression, mood changes, chronic stress, and nervous system dysfunction so they can support emotional wellbeing and improve overall health.
We Help Address the Root Causes Behind Depression, Anxiety & Mood Changes
Mental health symptoms are real, but they’re not always “just in your head.”
Depression, anxiety, mood changes, and chronic stress can impact every area of life, affecting relationships, work performance, sleep, energy levels, physical health, and overall wellbeing.
We have worked with countless patients over the years who have struggled with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, mood swings, irritability, and emotional overwhelm that left them feeling frustrated, exhausted, and disconnected from themselves.
Many patients come to us struggling with:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
- Chronic stress
- Burnout
- Brain fog
- Poor concentration
- Low motivation
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep
- Insomnia
- Overwhelm
- Emotional exhaustion
- Unexplained symptoms despite “normal” labs
These root causes may include:
- GI microbiome imbalances
- Food sensitivities
- Gut lining permeability
- Chronic inflammation
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Hormone imbalances
- High cortisol states
- Chronic stress
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Histamine intolerance
- Poor sleep quality
- Mold toxicity
- Ongoing toxin exposures
- Medication side effects
- Systemic inflammation
We’ve successfully helped many patients improve their metabolic health by identifying and addressing the deeper drivers impacting mood and mental health.
Why Conventional Care Often Falls Short
Conventional medicine often focuses on managing symptoms through medications and counseling.
While these approaches can be valuable, many patients never receive a thorough evaluation of the biological, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may be contributing to how they feel.
The functional medicine approach focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes and mediators contributing to mental health symptoms while supporting the body’s ability to function optimally.
Conditions we commonly work with include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Generalized anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Burnout
- Chronic stress
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Mood disorders
- Stress-related health concerns
- Histamine-related anxiety symptoms
- Hormone-related mood changes
Get to the Root Cause with Functional Medicine
Our process always begins with a very thorough medical and lifestyle investigation, taking into account timelines for symptom onset, stressors, medications, environmental exposures, nutrition, digestion, sleep quality, hormone health, relationships, and lifestyle patterns.
Because mood and mental health symptoms are often influenced by multiple factors, we believe it is important to look beyond symptoms alone and evaluate the whole person.
We often begin by addressing the foundations for optimal health and healing, starting with sleep, nutrition, blood sugar stability, stress management, and gut health. Many patients are surprised to learn how closely the gut, brain, immune system, hormones, and nervous system are connected.
We also work to identify lifestyle and environmental factors that may be contributing to inflammation, stress responses, and nervous system dysregulation while helping patients build sustainable habits that support resilience and recovery.
Addressing high cortisol states and improving nervous system regulation are often key components of the healing process. When the body remains in a chronic fight-or-flight state, it becomes increasingly difficult to support emotional and physical wellbeing.
When appropriate, additional investigations may include evaluating hormone imbalances, mold exposure, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, histamine-related concerns, blood sugar instability, or other hidden contributors that may be impacting mood and mental health.
Our goal is not simply to reduce symptoms. Our goal is to help patients better understand the factors that may be affecting how they feel and create a personalized plan that supports long-term emotional and physical health.
The Result?
Many patients experience:
- Improved mood stability
- Better stress resilience
- Reduced anxiety
- More restful sleep
- Improved energy
- Better focus and concentration
- Greater emotional balance
- Improved overall wellbeing
Feel Confident in Your Care Team
Experience sets us apart
- Extensive education and training
- Compassion and a Christian worldview
- Years of clinical experience
- A personal Functional Medicine Journey
- An ongoing, weekly mentorship with Dr. Beard
Amy Beard, MD, IFMCP
Owner, Founder, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Amy Beard is a Board Certified Family Medicine MD, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a Dietitian, an ER Physician, a previous Cardiac Rehab Medical Director, and has extensive clinical and personal experience in Functional Medicine...
Lindley Kinard DNP, APN, FNP-C
Certified Functional Medicine Practitoner
Dr. Kinard is a Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate of Nursing, an Institute of Functional Medicine Certified Practitioner, a previous Registered Nurse in CVICU at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and a mother of two young boys. Lindley is an exceptional Functional...
Hannah Tikson, MS, FMCHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Hannah is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach; she has a Master’s in Exercise and Nutrition Science, professional experience as a coach, educator and researcher, and is a mother of two young girls. Hannah is passionate about helping people optimize...
Laura Postlethwait, RN, INHC
Functional Medicine Consultant
Laura is a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach. She has been in the medical field since 2005 and a Registered Nurse since 2011. She has been on two medical mission trips to Kenya, Africa. She and her husband were foster parents for 7+ years. She has been an...
Anna Allen, FDNP, CNP(S)
Functional Medicine Consultant
Anna is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a minor in Strategic Communication. Her path to Functional Medicine began with her own unresolved health struggles. Those challenges, along with guidance from the Lord,...
Paul Buch
Owner, Head of Research, Product Development, and Customer Service
Paul is, first and foremost, Dr. Beard’s husband. Together, they run AmyBeardMD.com as their passion and ministry. Paul manages many aspects of the business, including, but not limited to, research, product development, sales, and client satisfaction. His...
Blake Harrell
Pastor, Teacher, Guest Speaker
Blake Harrell is a pastor, teacher, and guest speaker who has spent the last 10 years leading a family of believers in central Arkansas. (Yes, he’s Dr. Beard’s pastor!). Before entering ministry, Blake worked for a decade in the medical field, preparing to...
What We Treat
Spoiler: We treat all chronic conditions because they all have a root cause!
Digestive Issues
Autoimmunity and Inflammation
Chronic Fatigue
Hormone and Thyroid Imbalances
Body Composition & Weight
Skin Conditions
Infant & Children’s Health
Asthma & Allergies
Cognition & Brain Health
Joint Pain/ Chronic Pain
Jump In and Become a Client
Step 1 – Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call
Schedule a free 15 minute Exploratory Call with our patient liaison to make sure we are a good fit for your care and learn about how our functional medicine clinic operates. After your Exploratory Call, you will be sent a link to schedule your First Step Appointment either with Dr. Beard or Dr. Kinard. Regardless of who you see, Dr. Beard always oversees all cases in our practice.
Step 2 – Schedule a first step medical investigation.
Schedule a first step appointment with a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner ($300).
Step 3 – Invest in the recommended 2 month package.
Why a two month package? We can help you make substantial improvements to your health in that amount of time. Many patients see complete resolution of their issues and most see substantial improvements by the end of two months. At the end of the two months you will be left with a detailed plan to either continue on your own or with guidance from the appropriate member(s) of our team. One of our main goals during this two month timeframe is to empower you with the knowledge to take charge of your health.
Dr. Beard will guide you to the proper package that will best meet your medical needs and financial ability. There is no one-size-fits-all plan; we customize your treatment plan for your unique needs.
What to expect at your first step medical investigation:
An in-depth medical investigation
with an experienced medical doctor who leaves no stone unturned.
A medical, lifestyle and symptom timeline
from birth to present.
Evaluation and assessment
of medication side effects, surgical & procedural impacts
In-depth evaluation
of diet and nutrient intake, gut health, toxin exposures and toxic burden, sleep hygiene and quality, sun exposure and biological rhythms, movement and exercise, mitochondrial function, nervous system status, detox and drainage status.
Discussion of next step
(may include but not limited to): specialty and standard lab testing, protocols, medication weaning and changes, supplement changes, referrals to other specialists (biological dentists, for example)
Plenty of time
for concerns and questions to be addressed.
2 Month Treatment Packages:
Option 1:
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits
$975
At the end of two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Option:2
First Step medical investigation + four RN functional medicine practitioner visits with Dr. Beard’s oversight $1375
This is the most cost effective way to involve Dr. Beard in your care. Dr. Beard and your RN practitioner meet frequently to discuss your case and direct your care as warranted.
At the end of the two months you will be provided with a care plan to continue on your own or with the help of the appropriate clinic member.
Additional Costs & Options:
- 30-minute appointments with Dr. Beard can be added at anytime for $250
- 40-minute appointments with RN Functional Medicine Practitioner (outside of 2 month package) $125
- Specialty and standard labs: we do not mark up the cost of labs in an effort to save you money. Dr. Beard takes a conservative approach to ordering labs, but also understands their importance in certain clinical situations.
$50-$300 per test panel - Protocols: many patients are prescribed protocols during their two month treatment plan according to their needs. $300-$600 per protocol
We try VERY hard to keep our services affordable. Even though Dr. Beard is one of the most credentialed and experienced functional medicine doctors in the country, she charges less because this is her personal ministry.
