How TMS Works

TMS works through a magnetic coil placed gently near your scalp, which delivers targeted pulses to specific regions of the brain. Those pulses stimulate neural activity in areas tied to mood and emotion, helping to regulate circuits that may have become underactive over time. Because the treatment is non-invasive, there’s no anesthesia, no recovery time, and no medication added to your system. Most people feel relaxed and alert when they leave a session, ready to head back to work, school, or whatever comes next.

What Conditions TMS Can Help With

TMS is best known and FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression — specifically, Major Depressive Disorder in adults who haven’t found enough relief from antidepressants or therapy alone. But the picture is broader than that. Research and clinical experience suggest TMS can also help with:

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized and social anxiety, by influencing brain circuits linked to the stress response
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which has its own FDA clearance with the BrainsWay Deep TMS system
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where it may help reduce intrusive thoughts and emotional reactivity for some patients

At Sun Health Center, every treatment plan is built around the individual. Our clinicians will evaluate your symptoms, history, and goals to determine whether TMS is the right fit — and how it might complement any other care you’re receiving.

Could TMS Help You?

TMS may be a great fit if you’re an adult who’s been living with depression and just hasn’t gotten where you need to be with antidepressants or therapy alone. It’s particularly well-suited for people who:

• Have tried two or more antidepressants without enough relief
• Have experienced difficult or intolerable side effects from medication
• Prefer a treatment that doesn’t involve adding another medication to their regimen
• Are dealing with moderate-to-severe Major Depressive Disorder
• Have anxiety symptoms alongside depression
• Are ready to commit to attending sessions consistently

Every patient is individually screened before starting treatment to confirm TMS is a good fit. There are some circumstances — such as certain metal implants above the neck, a history of seizures, or active implanted devices like pacemakers — where TMS may not be appropriate. Our clinical team will walk through all of this with you during your intake evaluation.

What Treatment Looks Like

TMS is straightforward and fits easily into your life. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Evaluation: You’ll start with a psychiatric evaluation so we can make sure TMS is the right choice for your situation.
2. Mapping: During your first session, we’ll complete a brief mapping process to pinpoint the ideal positioning and dosing for your brain.
3. Sessions: From there, sessions run approximately 30 minutes each, on a schedule designed around your individual treatment plan.
4. Monitoring: We check in on your progress regularly and can fine-tune treatment parameters along the way.
5. Follow-up: Once your treatment course wraps up, we’ll set you up with follow-up recommendations — whether that’s continued psychiatric care, therapy, or a maintenance plan.

Consistency matters for the best results. We’ll work with you to build a schedule that fits and make it easy to keep showing up.

What to Expect During a Session

A TMS session is calm, straightforward, and built around your comfort. When you arrive, a trained clinician will explain what’s happening, answer any questions, and gently position the magnetic coil over the area of your brain we’re targeting. During the session, you’ll feel a series of light tapping or clicking sensations against your scalp — most people describe it as a steady, rhythmic tap rather than anything unpleasant. You’re free to read, listen to music, or simply relax.

Sessions typically last around 30 minutes, and because there’s no anesthesia or recovery time, you can drive yourself home and get right back to your day. If you experience any mild side effects, like brief scalp sensitivity or a light headache during the first few sessions, our team will walk you through how to manage them.

The Technology We Use: BrainsWay Deep TMS

We use BrainsWay Deep TMS, the most clinically validated Deep TMS system available. What sets it apart from standard TMS devices is its proprietary H-Coil technology, which allows magnetic stimulation to reach deeper and broader brain structures, the networks most closely tied to mood and emotional processing. BrainsWay has been a leader in neuromodulation for more than two decades and holds multiple FDA clearances, including for Major Depressive Disorder, OCD, and smoking cessation. The real-world outcomes speak for themselves, based on published data from 1,753 patients:

• 81.6% Response Rate
• 65.3% Remission Rate
• ~60% Return to Normal Functioning (patient-reported)

One of the things that makes TMS particularly encouraging is that its benefits don’t stop when treatment ends. For many patients, symptom improvement continues to build in the weeks after completing a course — and for some, that means sustained relief or full remission.

TMS and Ketamine: A Coordinated Approach

For some patients, TMS and Ketamine therapy can be used together as part of a carefully coordinated treatment plan — and the combination can be more powerful than either therapy alone. Ketamine has been shown to temporarily increase neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections. When TMS is delivered alongside or following ketamine, the brain may be better primed to respond, potentially deepening and extending the benefits of both treatments.

Ketamine also tends to work faster than most traditional antidepressants, which can provide early relief and a renewed sense of hope at a point in treatment when that matters most. Whether used individually or together, these therapies are always matched to each patient’s specific clinical needs and preferences. Our team will work with you to determine the approach that makes the most sense for your situation.

TMS vs. Medication: Key Differences

TMS works differently from antidepressant medications, and for some people, that difference is exactly what makes it the right choice. Where medications travel through your whole body to influence brain chemistry, TMS targets specific brain regions directly — which means it tends to have fewer of the systemic side effects (weight changes, sexual side effects, fatigue, GI issues) that can come with antidepressants. There’s also no daily pill, no waiting weeks for blood levels to stabilize, and no tapering process if you decide to stop. TMS can be used on its own or alongside medication and therapy — it’s not an either/or, and many patients combine approaches based on what their care team recommends.

You’re Supported Every Step of the Way

From your first call to your final session and beyond, our clinical team is with you. Throughout your TMS course, that means regular symptom check-ins so we can track your progress, treatment adjustments if and when they’re needed, coordination with any other providers involved in your care, and ongoing support from our staff between sessions.

Insurance & Getting Started

TMS is covered by many major insurance plans for eligible patients, based on medical necessity and prior treatment history. Our team will help you navigate the process from the start, including insurance verification, prior authorization support, and a clear explanation of your estimated out-of-pocket costs.

TMS is offered as a standalone outpatient service at Sun Health Center, located on the FHE Health campus, and is available to community members seeking treatment for depression and related conditions.

TMS isn’t a last resort — it’s a smart, evidence-based next step for people who haven’t gotten the relief they deserve from standard treatments. If you’re curious about whether it could be right for you, we’d love to talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TMS safe?
Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared and considered safe for most adults. The most common side effects — mild scalp discomfort or a temporary headache during the first week — are usually well-tolerated.

Will I feel the magnetic pulses?
You’ll feel a tapping or clicking sensation on your scalp during the session. Most people find it easy to get used to within the first few sessions.

Can TMS replace my medications?
For some patients, TMS reduces the need for medication over time — but any changes to your prescriptions should always be made in coordination with your prescribing provider and our clinical team.

How long do the benefits last?
Many patients maintain their improvements for months after completing treatment, and some experience sustained relief well beyond that. Booster sessions can be scheduled if symptoms begin to return.

Is TMS covered by insurance?
Most major insurance plans cover TMS for eligible patients. Our admissions team will verify your benefits and walk you through any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

What to Know & Safety Information

• Well-Tolerated: The most common side effect is mild, temporary scalp discomfort or headache during the first week.
• Safety Exclusions: Deep TMS cannot be used if you have metal implants in or near the head (excluding braces/dental fillings). A rare but serious risk is seizure.
• Insurance Coverage: Most major insurance plans cover TMS therapy. Our team handles the verification for you.

Deep TMS is a prescription-only medical device. Individual results may vary. Real-world data claims are based on published registry studies of patients completing the recommended treatment course. For full safety, contraindication, and risk information, consult with our psychiatrist or visit brainsway.com.