MD, DC & VA · Telehealth Available

Mood Disorders Treatment — Depression, Bipolar & Treatment-Resistant Care

Over 21 million adults in the US experience a major depressive episode each year—yet many go months without an accurate diagnosis or a treatment plan that actually works.
If you have been struggling with persistent low mood, uncontrollable emotional swings, or antidepressants that stopped working, you are in the right place. At Ardent, we treat the full spectrum of mood disorders — from first diagnosis to treatment-resistant cases — starting with getting the diagnosis right.
Most new patients are seen within days, not months.

Why Choose Ardent for Mood Disorder Treatment

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Dual board-certified PMHNP with NIH background
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PGx genetic testing from visit one
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Major insurance accepted
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Telehealth — no commute, no waiting room
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TMS & Spravato available
Most new patients seen within days
Dual Board-Certified PMHNP
TMS & Spravato Available
Major Insurance Accepted
Telehealth Available Statewide
Understanding Mood Disorders

What Are Mood Disorders Treatment?

Mood Disorders Treatment are psychiatric conditions that cause lasting disruptions in how a person feels and functions—beyond normal stress or sadness. Each condition has its own pattern and requires its own treatment approach.
Conditions we treat at Ardent:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Bipolar I and II Disorder
Cyclothymia
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Mood disorders related to medical conditions or substance use

When Is It a Mood Disorder — and Not Just a Difficult Period?

Everyone has hard weeks. A mood disorder is different. Seek an evaluation if low mood or instability has lasted two weeks or longer, your mood does not improve even when circumstances do, you have lost interest in things that used to matter, mood swings are extreme, recurring, or damaging your relationships, or functioning at work, home, or socially has significantly declined.

21M+
US adults experience a major depressive episode each year
Days
average new patient wait time at Ardent
PGx
genetic testing available from your first visit
TMS
available for treatment-resistant cases
Recognizing the Signs

Common Symptoms of Mood Disorders Treatment

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Depression Symptoms

Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
Fatigue, sleep changes, appetite changes
Difficulty concentrating or feelings of worthlessness
In severe cases, thoughts of death or suicide

Bipolar Disorder Symptoms (Manic / Hypomanic Episodes)

Unusually elevated or irritable mood
Reduced need for sleep without fatigue
Racing thoughts, impulsive decisions, inflated self-esteem

Depressive episodes in bipolar disorder resemble MDD — but they are part of a cycling pattern. That difference changes the entire treatment approach, which is why accurate diagnosis matters before any medication is prescribed.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Depression Not Responding to Antidepressants? You May Have Treatment-Resistant Depression

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is defined as depression that has not improved after at least two adequate antidepressant trials. Bipolar disorder misdiagnosis is also a leading cause of antidepressants failing—treating bipolar disorder with antidepressants alone can worsen the condition.
At Ardent, a failed treatment history is not a dead end. It is where our evaluation begins.
For TRD patients, we offer:
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) genetic testing to identify how your body metabolizes psychiatric medications
Re-evaluation for undiagnosed bipolar spectrum disorder
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy
Spravato (esketamine) treatment where clinically appropriate
Medication combination strategies based on your metabolizer profile

Diagnosis at Ardent — More Than a Checklist

Your evaluation includes:
✔ Comprehensive psychiatric interview covering symptoms, history, and onset
✔ Personal and family psychiatric history review (NPD)
✔ Standardized tools — PHQ-9, MDQ, and others as indicated
✔ Medical history review to rule out physical causes of disorder (OCPD)
✔ Specific assessment to differentiate bipolar disorder from unipolar depression
Learn more about DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at the National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov).
How It Works

From Your First Call to Long-Term Stability — Here Is How Care Works at Ardent

1

Schedule Your Evaluation
Book online or by phone. Most new patients are seen within days — no referral, no long waitlist.

2

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
A 60-minute conversation covering your symptoms, history, and past treatments — not a rushed checklist.

3

Accurate Diagnosis
First, we identify your specific condition before anything else — depression, bipolar disorder, or a misdiagnosed treatment-resistant case.

4

Personalized Treatment Plan
Medication, therapy, and pharmacogenomic testing are selected around your diagnosis and biology — not a standard protocol.

5

Ongoing Management and Monitoring
Regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust care — all under one provider, nothing falls through the gaps.

6

Long-Term Stability and Relapse Prevention
Once stable, care shifts to staying well — managing triggers, recognizing warning signs, and building a plan that holds long-term.
Treatment Options

Treatment Options — Built Around Your Diagnosis

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For Depression

Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, and atypical agents), CBT, IPT, TMS, and Spravato.
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For Bipolar Disorder

Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine), atypical antipsychotics, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation.

For Treatment-Resistant Cases

PGx genetic testing first, advanced diagnostic re-evaluation, TMS, and Spravato as primary or adjunct interventions.

Mood disorders also commonly co-occur with anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. If you are managing more than one condition, we coordinate care across all of them.

🧬 Genetic Testing — Removing the Guesswork From Medication Selection

Genetics affect how your body processes psychiatric medications, which is why the same antidepressant works for one person and fails for another. At Ardent, PGx testing is available from your first visit to guide medication selection before the trial-and-error begins.
Your First Appointment

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

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60-minute comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
Unhurried and built around your specific history — not a general protocol.
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Review of current symptoms, history, and past treatments
We look at everything — what has worked, what hasn’t, and why.
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No pressure to arrive with a self-diagnosis
That is our job.
You leave with a working diagnosis or a clear next step
Patients consistently report leaving appointments with clarity — not more questions.
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Medication options discussed in full
Effects, timeline, and side effects — all covered before anything is prescribed.

You do not need to be in crisis. If something has felt off for a while, that is reason enough.

⚠️ Crisis Support

Ardent provides ongoing outpatient care — not emergency psychiatric services. If you need immediate help:
Psychiatric emergency or thoughts of self-harm — call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7.
Urgent but non-emergency evaluation—contact our office directly, and we will prioritize your intake appointment.
Insurance Accepted at Ardent
We verify your benefits and manage prior authorization on your behalf.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
Cigna
Humana
Magellan Health
Medicaid of Maryland
Medicare
Optum
Priority Health
Tricare
United Healthcare
Why Ardent

Why Patients Choose Ardent

Dual board-certified PMHNP with NIH background and 25+ years of clinical experience
Specialization in treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder misdiagnosis cases
Pharmacogenomic testing integrated into care from visit one — not a separate referral
Telehealth appointments — no commute, no waiting room
Therapy and medication are managed under one provider
Culturally competent and gender-affirming care
Most new patients are seen within days

Robin Hewitt

MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C—Dual Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health & Family Nurse Practitioner
25+ years of healthcare experience, including work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Robin specializes in mood disorders, treatment-resistant depression, and bipolar spectrum conditions. Her approach cuts through trial and error using pharmacogenomic testing and thorough diagnostic evaluation from the first visit. NPI Number: 1013360569. Licensed in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
MSN
PMHNP-BC
FNP-C
NPI: 1013360569
25+ Years Experience
NIH Experience
Service Area

Serving Patients Across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Ardent provides telehealth-based mood disorder treatment across three states — so wherever you are, expert psychiatric care is only an appointment away.
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Comprehensive telehealth psychiatric care available to patients throughout the state.
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Flexible, secure telehealth appointments for mood disorder evaluation and treatment across Virginia.
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Accessible psychiatric care for D.C. residents, delivered entirely through telehealth.
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about mood disorder treatment at Ardent.

Depression involves persistent low mood without manic episodes. Bipolar disorder cycles between depression and mania or hypomania. Treating bipolar disorder with antidepressants alone—without mood stabilizers—can trigger mania and worsen the pattern. Getting this distinction right is the first priority.

For mild cases, therapy alone can be effective. For moderate to severe mood disorders, and especially bipolar disorder, medication is generally necessary. We discuss all options and recommend what the evidence supports for your situation.

TRD is depression that has not responded to at least two adequate antidepressant trials. At Ardent, treatment options include PGx genetic testing, TMS therapy, Spravato, and diagnostic re-evaluation to confirm the underlying condition.

Yes, in many cases. PGx testing identifies how your body processes psychiatric medications based on your genetics — reducing guesswork significantly for patients with a history of failed medication trials.

Yes. Ardent offers telehealth evaluations, medication management, and follow-up visits through a secure platform — available across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Most major plans cover psychiatric evaluation and medication management. Our team verifies your benefits and handles prior authorization directly before your first appointment.

Mood Disorders Treatment
Schedule Today

Schedule Your Mood Disorder Evaluation at Ardent

If you have been living with depression, bipolar disorder, or a mood condition that has not responded to treatment, a proper evaluation is the right next step. Thorough, unhurried, and built around your specific history — not a general protocol.