Learning Center · TMS for Depression & OCD
Is TMS right for you?
Here's how to decide - based on your symptoms, your treatment history, and what TMS actually does. We're not here to convince you. We're here to help you figure it out.
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30 Sessions of Deep TMS Response Rate
30 Sessions of Deep TMS Remission Rate
Years Treating Depression in OH
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The honest answer
Is TMS the right treatment for you?
Here's a quick way to know - based on what TMS treats, how it works, and who it isn't appropriate for.
- ✓ Have a diagnosis of depression or OCD (adults or adolescents 15–21)
- ✓ Have tried antidepressants without sufficient improvement
- ✓ Want a non-medication treatment with no daily pills
- ✓ Can commit to ~6 weeks of weekday sessions
- × Have a history of seizures or epilepsy
- × Have non-removable metal implants near your head
- × Are in active psychosis or a manic episode
- × Need immediate relief - consider Spravato or IV ketamine instead
If you're in immediate crisis, emergency care comes first. Call 988(Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest ER.
What it actually does
TMS, in plain terms.
A magnetic coil rests on your head and delivers focused pulses to specific brain regions - for depression, the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; for OCD, the medial prefrontal cortex.
These pulses gradually retrain neural activity patterns. You're awake, sitting in a chair, and can read, scroll, or watch TV during the 20-minute session.
No sedation. No anesthesia. No needles. No medication in your body. You drive yourself home.
How TMS compares
TMS vs. your other options.
None of these is universally better. They fit different people, different stages, different priorities.
TMS vs. antidepressants
SSRIs, SNRIs, atypicalsAntidepressants work for many — but roughly one in three patients doesn't respond sufficiently. TMS works for many of those non-responders without systemic side effects(weight gain, sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting). You can stay on your antidepressant during TMS.
TMS vs. Spravato (esketamine)
FDA-approved nasal spray for TRDSpravato works faster — hours or days, versus weeks for TMS. But it requires twice-weekly visits, dissociation during dosing, and a ride home each time. TMS takes longer but has no dissociation and a more predictable side effect profile.
TMS vs. IV ketamine
Off-label, self-pay onlyIV ketamine is the fastest-acting option — relief often within hours. But it's off-label, never covered by insurance, and effects are short-lived without maintenance dosing. TMS is FDA-cleared, insurance-covered, and produces longer-lasting effects from a single course.
TMS vs. ECT
Electroconvulsive therapyECT is more intense and reserved for more severe presentations — catatonia, active suicidality with psychotic features. It requires anesthesia, induces a controlled seizure, and can affect memory. TMS is non-invasive, awake-state, with no memory impact. We don't offer ECT; we'll refer if it's the right fit.
What treatment looks like
The honest version of what you should expect.
Weeks 1–2
Daily 20-minute sessions. You'll feel a rhythmic tapping on one side of your head. Most patients notice no change yet. That's normal.
Weeks 3–4
Symptoms typically start to shift. Sleep improves first. Then energy. Mood usually lifts last. Some patients have a temporary dip before improving — see below.
Weeks 5–8
Full benefit typically lands here. You complete your 36 sessions, meet with Dr. Blair or your Psychiatric NP for outcome review, and discuss maintenance if appropriate.
Frequently asked
What else patients ask before starting TMS.
Will my insurance cover TMS?
For depression, yes — most major commercial plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and VA coverage typically cover TMS when medical necessity criteria are met. Coverage for OCD is more variable. We verify benefits and handle prior authorization before treatment, with a written cost estimate first.
Can I keep taking my antidepressant during TMS?
Yes. Most patients continue their current medication during TMS. Don't stop or change medications without discussing it with the provider who prescribed them.
What if TMS doesn't work for me?
If you don't respond, we discuss next steps openly — a different TMS protocol, switching to Spravato or IV ketamine, or referring you to an ECT program. Not responding to TMS doesn't mean you're out of options.
Is TMS painful?
Most patients describe it as a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp — uncomfortable at first, then quickly habituated to. Some mild headaches or scalp tenderness early in treatment, usually resolving within a week.
Will I be able to drive home after sessions?
Yes. TMS doesn't sedate you or affect your thinking. Drive yourself, return to work, go about your day.
Do I need a referral?
No. Contact us directly to schedule a consultation with Dr. Blair or one of our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners.
Can I miss sessions if I have to?
Occasionally, yes - we accommodate unavoidable conflicts. But frequent gaps reduce effectiveness. If your schedule can't accommodate daily sessions, accelerated TMS (5-day protocol) may fit better.
Do you offer payment plans?
For insurance-related balances (deductibles, copays, coinsurance), yes. Self-pay services are required to be paid in full before treatment starts. CareCredit is an option for spreading self-pay costs over time.
How long do the effects of TMS last?
For most responders, months to over a year after a single course. Some patients need maintenance sessions to sustain response. TMS isn't a cure - it's an effective treatment that may need periodic reinforcement it can be .
Get your insurance verified free of charge.
Send us your insurance information. We'll run a full benefits check and give you a written estimate before you commit to anything.
