Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

When depression has not improved with traditional treatment, additional evidence-based options may be available. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Every patient begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to determine whether TMS is an appropriate part of their individualized treatment plan.

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What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Unlike medications, TMS does not circulate throughout the body and does not require anesthesia or sedation. Treatments are performed in our office while you remain awake and comfortably seated, allowing most patients to return to their normal daily activities immediately afterward.

TMS is FDA-cleared for the treatment of major depressive disorder in appropriate patients and has also received FDA clearance for additional conditions using specific treatment protocols and devices.

FDA-Cleared Treatment

TMS is performed without surgery, anesthesia, or sedation. Patients remain awake throughout treatment and are able to resume most normal daily activities immediately after each session.

Non-Invasive Therapy

Each course of TMS begins with motor threshold mapping and an individualized treatment plan developed by your provider. Throughout treatment, your progress is regularly monitored to help ensure therapy remains tailored to your needs.

Personalized Treatment

Who May Benefit from TMS?

TMS is not appropriate for everyone experiencing depression. Every patient begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to confirm the diagnosis, review previous treatments, and determine whether TMS may be an appropriate part of an individualized treatment plan.

TMS may be appropriate for adults with major depressive disorder who have not experienced adequate improvement after appropriate trials of antidepressant medications or who have been unable to tolerate medication side effects.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

Looking for a Non-Medication Treatment

Some patients prefer to explore treatment options that do not involve additional medications. Because TMS is non-invasive and does not circulate throughout the body, it may be an appropriate option for certain individuals following a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.

Not everyone with depression is a candidate for TMS. A thorough psychiatric evaluation helps ensure that treatment recommendations are safe, appropriate, and tailored to your individual needs and treatment goals.

Comprehensive Evaluation Required

If TMS is recommended, our team will guide you through every stage of treatment—from your initial mapping appointment through the completion of therapy and ongoing follow-up.

What to Expect During Treatment

Every patient begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation before starting TMS. If treatment is recommended, we'll guide you through each step of the process—from your initial motor threshold mapping appointment through your treatment course, ongoing progress assessments, and completion of therapy.

Step 1

Before beginning TMS, you'll meet with one of our psychiatric providers for a comprehensive evaluation. We'll review your symptoms, treatment history, medical history, current medications, and treatment goals to determine whether TMS is an appropriate treatment option.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation

Step 2

Your first treatment visit includes motor threshold mapping, which helps determine the appropriate stimulation level for your individual treatment. This personalized calibration allows your provider to tailor therapy specifically to your needs before treatment begins.

Motor Threshold Mapping

Step 3

Using the information gathered during your evaluation and mapping appointment, your provider will develop an individualized treatment plan. We'll review your treatment schedule, answer your questions, and explain what to expect throughout your course of therapy.

Personalized Treatment Plan

Step 4

Most patients receive treatment five days per week for approximately six weeks, for a total of 30 treatment sessions. Each session is performed while you remain awake and comfortably seated, and most patients are able to return to their normal daily activities immediately afterward. Treatment sessions typically last between 20 and 30 minutes depending on your individualized treatment protocol.

Acute Treatment Phase

Step 5

Following the acute treatment phase, many patients complete a gradual taper consisting of three treatments during week seven, two treatments during week eight, and one treatment during week nine. Throughout treatment, your provider will regularly assess your symptoms using validated clinical rating scales and monitor your overall response to therapy.

Taper & Progress Monitoring

Step 6

Some patients benefit from maintenance TMS after completing their initial treatment course. Maintenance schedules are individualized based on symptom recurrence, treatment response, and clinical judgment. Your provider will discuss whether maintenance therapy may be appropriate as part of your long-term treatment plan.

Maintenance Treatment

Your First TMS Appointment

Beginning TMS treatment is a straightforward process, and our team will guide you every step of the way. Your first appointment includes motor threshold mapping, an explanation of your treatment plan, and your first treatment session. We'll answer your questions, ensure you're comfortable, and help you understand what to expect throughout your course of therapy.

  • Take your medications as prescribed unless instructed otherwise by your provider.

  • Eat and drink normally before your appointment.

  • Wear comfortable clothing.

  • Feel free to ask questions—our team will explain each step before treatment begins.

Before Your Appointment

  • You'll remain awake and comfortably seated throughout the session.

  • The treatment coil is positioned over a specific area of your scalp based on your personalized motor threshold mapping.

  • You may hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp during treatment.

  • Our clinical team will monitor your comfort and make adjustments when appropriate.

During Your Treatment

  • Most patients are able to return to work, school, or their normal daily activities immediately after treatment.

  • Unlike treatments that require sedation, TMS does not require a recovery period.

  • Your provider will continue to monitor your progress throughout your treatment course and discuss any questions or concerns at follow-up visits.

  • Most patients are able to drive themselves home and return to work, school, or other normal daily activities immediately following treatment.

After Your Appointment

Most patients find that any initial discomfort improves as they become accustomed to treatment over the first several sessions.

Safety & Side Effects

TMS has a well-established safety profile when patients are appropriately evaluated and treated by trained healthcare professionals. Before treatment begins, every patient undergoes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and medical screening to help ensure TMS is both safe and appropriate. Throughout your course of therapy, our clinical team monitors your progress, answers your questions, and works to make each treatment as comfortable as possible.

Well-Established Safety Profile

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been extensively studied and is FDA-cleared for the treatment of major depressive disorder in appropriate patients. Unlike many medications, TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation and does not produce systemic side effects because it does not circulate throughout the body.

The most common side effects include mild scalp discomfort, headache, or facial muscle twitching during treatment. These effects are generally temporary, often improve over the first several treatment sessions, and typically resolve shortly after treatment is completed.

Common Side Effects

Your provider and treatment team will regularly review your symptoms, treatment response, medications, and overall progress throughout therapy. If adjustments are needed to improve comfort or optimize treatment, your individualized treatment plan will be updated accordingly.

Ongoing Monitoring

Insurance & Coverage

TMS is covered by many commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Ohio Medicaid for patients who meet medical necessity and coverage criteria. Because coverage requirements vary by insurance plan, our team will review your benefits, obtain prior authorization when required, and help guide you through the approval process before treatment begins.

Before treatment begins, our team reviews your insurance benefits and explains your expected coverage, including any deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance that may apply.

Benefit Verification

Many insurance plans require prior authorization before TMS treatment can begin. Our team coordinates this process by submitting the required clinical documentation and communicating with your insurance company throughout the approval process.

Prior Authorization Assistance

Insurance approvals may require periodic updates during your course of treatment. Our staff continues to assist with authorization renewals and insurance-related questions throughout your care whenever required.

Ongoing Support

Questions about insurance? Our team is happy to help you understand your benefits and answer any questions before treatment begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Unlike medications, TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation and is performed while you remain awake and comfortably seated.

  • Every patient begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. During this appointment, your provider will review your symptoms, treatment history, medical conditions, current medications, and treatment goals to determine whether TMS is an appropriate treatment option for your individual needs.

  • Most patients tolerate TMS very well. During treatment, you may hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp where the magnetic pulses are delivered. Some patients experience mild scalp discomfort or headache during the first few treatments, but these symptoms are generally temporary and often improve as treatment continues.

  • Yes. TMS is performed while you remain awake and comfortably seated. No anesthesia or sedation is required, and you can communicate with your treatment team throughout each session.

  • Treatment sessions typically last 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your individualized treatment protocol. Most patients are able to return to work, school, or their usual daily activities immediately after treatment.

  • Yes. Unlike treatments that require sedation, most patients are able to drive themselves to and from TMS appointments and resume their normal daily activities immediately following treatment.

  • Most patients complete an acute treatment course consisting of five treatments per week for approximately six weeks (30 treatments). This is typically followed by a gradual taper consisting of three treatments during week seven, two treatments during week eight, and one treatment during week nine. Your provider will monitor your progress throughout treatment and discuss whether maintenance therapy may be appropriate based on your individual response.

  • Every patient's response is different. Some individuals notice improvement during the first few weeks of treatment, while others experience more gradual changes over the course of therapy. Throughout treatment, your provider will monitor your symptoms using clinical assessments and discuss your progress with you regularly.

  • Many commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Ohio Medicaid provide coverage for TMS when medical necessity and coverage criteria are met. Our team will verify your benefits, obtain prior authorization when required, and guide you through the approval process before treatment begins.

  • Motor threshold mapping is performed before treatment begins to determine the appropriate stimulation level for your individual therapy. This personalized calibration allows your provider to tailor treatment specifically to your needs, helping ensure therapy is delivered safely and according to established clinical protocols.

  • In many cases, yes. Most patients continue their prescribed psychiatric medications while receiving TMS unless their provider recommends otherwise. Any medication adjustments will be discussed with you as part of your individualized treatment plan.

  • Seizures are a rare but recognized risk of TMS. Before treatment begins, every patient undergoes a comprehensive psychiatric and medical evaluation to identify factors that could increase risk. Our providers follow established safety guidelines, review your medications and medical history, and monitor your progress throughout treatment to help ensure therapy is delivered safely.

  • Some implanted medical devices or metal objects located in or near the head may affect whether TMS can be safely performed. During your evaluation, your provider will review your medical history, implanted devices, and any previous surgeries to determine whether TMS is an appropriate treatment option.

  • Occasionally, patients may need to miss a scheduled treatment because of illness, travel, or other circumstances. If this happens, our team will work with you to reschedule your appointment and determine whether any adjustments to your treatment schedule are necessary. Consistency is important, but a missed session does not necessarily mean you'll need to restart treatment.

  • The first step is to request a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. During this appointment, we'll review your symptoms, treatment history, medical history, and treatment goals to determine whether TMS is an appropriate treatment option. If TMS is recommended, our team will guide you through every stage of treatment—from insurance authorization and motor threshold mapping to completion of therapy and ongoing follow-up.

Ready to Learn Whether TMS Is Right for You?

If you've been living with depression despite trying traditional treatments, you don't have to navigate the next steps alone. Our team provides comprehensive psychiatric evaluations to determine whether Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or another evidence-based treatment may be appropriate for your individual needs. We'll take the time to answer your questions, explain your options, and develop a personalized treatment plan focused on helping you move forward with confidence.

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Compassionate care. Evidence-based treatment. Personalized for every patient.

Helping individuals and families throughout Southwest Ohio find the right path forward.