FAQ

The cost of TMS treatment can vary depending on your insurance coverage and individual treatment plan. The good news is that most major insurance providers cover TMS for qualifying patients, particularly for treatment-resistant depression. Our team will verify your benefits and help you understand any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins. For patients who prefer not to use insurance or whose plans do not provide coverage, we also offer self-pay programs designed to make treatment more accessible and affordable. Our staff is happy to discuss both options and help you determine the best path forward.

Yes, most major insurances cover TMS after certain prerequisites are fulfilled. The prerequisites typically involve having tried several antidepressants previously without success.

TMS is generally very well tolerated and most side effects are mild and temporary. The most common side effects are a mild headache or discomfort at the stimulation site, which typically resolve within minutes after the session. These symptoms often decrease as patients become accustomed to treatment.

Some patients may also notice temporary scalp sensitivity or mild muscle twitching around the scalp, eye, or jaw during stimulation. This is normal and stops immediately when the stimulation pauses or the session ends.

Unlike medications used to treat depression or anxiety, TMS does not circulate through the body, so it does not cause common medication-related side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, or gastrointestinal issues.

Serious side effects are extremely rare. The most serious potential risk is a seizure, which occurs in far less than 1 in 30,000 treatments. Our team carefully screens patients and follows established safety guidelines to minimize this risk.

Overall, TMS has been delivered millions of times worldwide and is considered a safe and well-established treatment for appropriate patients.

The most recent, comprehensive safety review describes the very low rates of adverse events (side-effects) over hundreds of thousands of TMS sessions:

Rossi, S., Antal, A., Bestmann, S., Bikson, M., Brewer, C., Brockmöller, J., Carpenter, L. L., Cincotta, M., Chen, R., Daskalakis, J. D., di Lazzaro, V., Fox, M. D., George, M. S., Gilbert, D., Kimiskidis, V. K., Koch, G., Ilmoniemi, R. J., Pascal Lefaucheur, J., Leocani, L., … Hallett, M. (2021). Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. In Clinical Neurophysiology (Vol. 132, Issue 1, pp. 269–306). Elsevier Ireland Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2020.10.003

There is a vanishingly small risk of seizure, about 1 in 32,592 according to this comprehensive study:

Taylor JJ, Newberger NG, Stern AP, Phillips A, Feifel D, Betensky RA, Press DZ. Seizure risk with repetitive TMS: Survey results from over a half-million treatment sessions. Brain Stimul. 2021 Jul-Aug;14(4):965-973. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.012. Epub 2021 Jun 13. PMID: 34133991.

No. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is very different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), often referred to as “shock therapy.”

ECT is a medical procedure performed under general anesthesia in a hospital setting, where a controlled electrical current is used to induce a brief seizure. It is typically reserved for severe or life-threatening cases of depression when other treatments have not been effective.

TMS, by contrast, is a non-invasive outpatient treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to gently stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Patients remain awake and alert during treatment, and the therapy does not require anesthesia or cause seizures.

Instead of producing an immediate effect like ECT, TMS works by gradually improving communication between brain networks over a series of treatments, helping restore healthier patterns of brain activity.

Because it is targeted and non-invasive, TMS typically has far fewer side effects, and patients are able to return to normal daily activities immediately after each session.

Accelerated TMS protocols deliver multiple treatment sessions in a single day, allowing patients to complete a full course of therapy in a much shorter time frame.

The original TMS protocol for depression typically involves one treatment per day, five days per week, for about six weeks. Accelerated protocols condense that schedule by providing several treatment sessions per day with rest periods between sessions, allowing the full treatment series to be completed in approximately one to two weeks.

For many patients, attending daily appointments over six weeks can be challenging due to work schedules, travel distance, or family responsibilities. Accelerated protocols can make treatment more convenient and easier to complete while still delivering the same total number of stimulation sessions.

Research in this area continues to grow, and accelerated treatment approaches are becoming an important advancement in the field of TMS therapy.  

At Compassion Neurohealth, we frequently offer accelerated treatment schedules when appropriate

Daily visits over a 6 week period is a major burden and difficult to arrange with work and family responsibilities. Accelerated protocols seek to make that time commitment easier to manage while maintaining the same efficacy of treatment.

Accelerated protocols are a major focus of current research:

van Rooij, S. J. H., Arulpragasam, A. R., McDonald, W. M., & Philip, N. S. (2023). Accelerated TMS – moving quickly into the future of depression treatment. Neuropsychopharmacology, February, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-023-01599-z

Tang, N., Shu, W., & Wang, H. (2023). Accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depressive disorder: A quick path to relief? WIREs Cognitive Science, August. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1666

Batail, J.-M., Xiao, X., Azeez, A., Tischler, C., Kratter, I. H., Bishop, J. H., Saggar, M., & Williams, N. R. (2023). Network effects of Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT) in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: a randomized, controlled trial. Translational Psychiatry, 13(1), 240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02537-9

TMS is being increasingly studied as a potential treatment option for depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Because TMS works by using targeted magnetic pulses applied to the scalp, it does not involve medications circulating through the bloodstream and therefore does not expose the developing baby or breast milk to pharmaceuticals.

Several clinical studies have examined the use of TMS during pregnancy and have found it to be generally well tolerated, with no significant safety concerns reported for mothers or newborns in these studies.

That said, pregnancy is a unique medical situation, and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your obstetrician and mental health provider. Our team works closely with patients and their physicians to determine whether TMS may be an appropriate option based on each individual case.

Many patients consider TMS during pregnancy when they prefer to avoid antidepressant medications.

Peer-reviewed research published in scientific journals:

Li Y, Liu X. Efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation in combination with antidepressants in adolescents with depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15(February). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1288338

Sun C-H, Mai J-X, Shi Z-M, et al. Adjunctive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for adolescents with first-episode major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2023;14(August). doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1200738

Croarkin PE, MacMaster FP. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adolescent Depression. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2019;28(1):33-43. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2018.07.003

Allen, C. H., Kluger, B. M., & Buard, I. (2017). Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Children: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pediatric Neurology, 68, 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2016.12.009

Wall CA, Croarkin PE, Maroney-Smith MJ, et al. Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided, Open-Label, High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2016;26(7):582-589. doi:10.1089/cap.2015.0217

Croarkin PE, Rotenberg A. Pediatric Neuromodulation Comes of Age. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2016;26(7):578-581. doi:10.1089/cap.2016.0087

Krishnan, C., Santos, L., Peterson, M. D., & Ehinger, M. (2015). Safety of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Children and Adolescents. Brain Stimulation, 8(1), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2014.10.012

Donaldson AE, Gordon MS, Melvin GA, Barton DA, Fitzgerald PB. Addressing the Needs of Adolescents with Treatment Resistant Depressive Disorders: A Systematic Review of rTMS. Brain Stimul. 2014;7(1):7-12. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2013.09.012

Wall CA, Croarkin PE, Sim LA, et al. Adjunctive Use of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Depressed Adolescents. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011;72(09):1263-1269. doi:10.4088/JCP.11m07003

In many cases, patients can continue their current medications while receiving TMS treatment. TMS is often used alongside antidepressants or other psychiatric medications, and many patients begin TMS while maintaining their existing treatment plan.

However, every situation is different. Certain medications can influence brain excitability or seizure threshold, so our clinical team will carefully review your current medications before treatment begins. If any adjustments are recommended, we will coordinate with your prescribing physician or psychiatrist to ensure your treatment plan remains safe and effective. 

Our goal is to integrate TMS into your care in a way that supports your overall treatment strategy, whether that includes continuing medications, adjusting them, or eventually reducing them under medical supervision.

TMS is an emerging treatment option for adolescents with depression, particularly when symptoms have not improved with therapy, medication, or other standard treatments. Research to date suggests that TMS is generally well tolerated in adolescents, with side effects that are similar to those seen in adults, most commonly mild headache, scalp discomfort, or temporary irritation at the treatment site.

While the evidence supporting TMS in adolescents continues to grow, it is still a developing area of clinical practice compared with adult treatment. For that reason, careful evaluation is important. Our team considers each adolescent individually, including diagnosis, prior treatment history, symptom severity, and family goals, to determine whether TMS may be an appropriate option.

When indicated, TMS may offer a non-invasive, medication-free or medication-sparing approach that can be integrated into a broader treatment plan under close clinical supervision.

TMS has been shown to be an effective treatment for many patients with treatment-resistant depression, particularly for those who have not found sufficient relief from medications or therapy. Clinical studies have found that about 50–60% of patients experience significant improvement in symptoms, and roughly one-third achieve full remission, meaning their depression symptoms largely resolve.

Individual results can vary depending on factors such as diagnosis, treatment history, and overall health. Our approach at Compassion Neurohealth focuses on precision targeting and ongoing measurement of brain activity, which helps us personalize treatment and monitor progress throughout the course of care. 

Our precision approach not only delivers better outcomes, but also “durability of effect” which means it will last longer. 

For many patients, TMS provides a non-invasive treatment option that can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in mood, energy, and quality of life.

You may be a candidate for TMS if you are struggling with depression—especially if medications have not provided enough relief or caused unwanted side effects.

Many insurance providers require:

• A diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Trial of prior medications
• A certain level of symptom severity

The best way to know is through a brief evaluation.

Start with a free pre-clinical evaluation and we’ll guide you.

This is a simple, no-obligation first step.

During your evaluation, we will:

• Learn about your symptoms and history
• Review any prior treatments
• Determine if TMS may be a good fit
• Begin checking your insurance benefits (if applicable)
• If aligned, schedule a EEG/HALO

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a FDA approved non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.

At Compassion Neurohealth, we take this further by using advanced brain mapping (EEG, neuronavigation, and HALO) to personalize treatment to your unique brain activity.

Most patients describe TMS as a tapping sensation on the scalp.

It is generally well tolerated, and patients remain awake and alert during treatment. You can return to normal activities immediately afterward.

No—TMS is considered safe and does not damage the brain.

It is FDA-cleared and has been used to treat hundreds of thousands of patients. It works by gently stimulating brain activity, not altering brain structure.

Yes—TMS is commonly covered by insurance for depression when certain criteria are met.

We will:

• Verify your benefits
• Help with prior authorization
• Walk you through the process

If you’re unsure about coverage, we’ll help you understand your options.

That is exactly where TMS can be most helpful.

TMS is often used for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, meaning medications have not provided enough relief.

Many patients turn to TMS after trying multiple medications without success.

A typical course of TMS treatment lasts about 4–6 weeks, with sessions occurring 5 days per week.

Each session usually takes 20–40 minutes, depending on your personalized protocol.

We also offer a self pay option that is accelerated for 1 hour per day for 10 days.

Timing depends on insurance approval (if applicable), but many patients can begin within a week or two after their evaluation.

We work to move the process forward as quickly as possible.

Many patients begin to notice improvements within the first few weeks of treatment, though results vary from person to person.

Some experience gradual improvement, while others notice more significant changes later in the treatment course.

Most TMS treatments use a standard, one-size-fits-all approach.

At Compassion Neurohealth, we use:

• EEG brain mapping
• Neuronavigation which is millimeter specific, not centimeter 
• Our proprietary HALO system

This allows us to personalize treatment based on your brain’s unique activity, improving precision and optimizing outcomes.

TMS is generally very well tolerated.

The most common side effects are:

• Mild scalp discomfort during treatment
• Temporary headache

These typically improve quickly and do not require stopping treatment.

We primarily treat:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Depression with anxiety

We may also evaluate other conditions on a case-by-case basis. These require physician review and may not be covered by insurance.

That’s completely okay—that’s exactly why we offer a free pre-clinical evaluation.

There is no pressure or obligation. Our goal is simply to help you understand your options.