Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
About Treatment
TMS treatment takes place in a dedicated space in our suite. It is private, bright, airy and comfortable. You will recline comfortably in the treatment chair, and a small, magnetic coil will be positioned on the side of your head. While treatment proceeds, you can watch relaxation videos, talk with the technician or simply sit quietly.
There are several protocols available to clients in order to meet individual needs. Your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for you. All treatments are less than 20 minutes 5 days per week for 6 weeks with another 6 treatments over the following 2 weeks, tapering the frequency until we reach 36 visits. Any medication adjustments, if needed, will be discussed with the prescribing physician.
You are awake and alert throughout treatment. You’ll hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping on your head. TMS treatment is safe and side effects are minimal. You can resume normal activities immediately after treatment. Because there are no effects on alertness or memory, you can drive yourself to and from treatment sessions.
Safety
The following side effects may occur during the first week of treatment until your brain habituates: headache, excessive tiredness, and discomfort at the treatment site while the coil is pulsing. There is a rare risk of seizure associated with the use of TMS (<0.1% per patient).
Next Steps
If you or your provider are interested in TMS, the first step is call our office to prescreen for TMS. You can also fill out our patient intake form and the TMS Coordinator will call to complete the TMS screening form. If TMS might be right for you, our coordinator will schedule a free consultation with one of the doctors. Prior to your meeting with the doctor, you will set up a patient portal through which you can provide information about your history and symptoms. During the consultation, the doctor will review your history, determine if TMS is right for you and further educate you about this treatment.
Will insurance cover treatment?
Insurance typically covers TMS if the following criteria are met: Primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, severe, a trial of 4 different antidepressant medications and 12 sessions of psychotherapy. TMS treatment does not meet insurance criteria if you carry a diagnosis of Bipolar or Schizophrenia, have not tried adequate medication trials or have not completed therapy.
Our TMS coordinator works with insurance companies to secure authorization to treat with TMS. Once this has been done, we can proceed to treatment.
Your first appointment
We call the first appointment a Mapping; where we find your unique treatment location and a dosage that is appropriate for you. The doctor and the technician work together with you by placing the coil on the left side of your head and pulse to get a response in the right hand. The dose and location is fine-tuned. Once your treatment parameters are determined, you will begin your first treatment. The coil is positioned in the proper spot and the session is started. You will feel a tapping on your head under the coil. There may be some discomfort at first but it will get easier over the first few sessions as your brain habituates.
Stepping Stones Psychiatry, LLC is excited to offer Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is an innovative approach to treatment-resistant depression (TRD) that is FDA approved and widely supported by insurance. Patented precision technology provides the right dose to the right location every time. TMS uses a non-invasive magnetic coil that rests on the head to deliver a series of pulses that target nerve cells in one part of the brain which connects to other neural networks that together regulate mood. These areas are known to be underactive in people who experience depression. By stimulating the nerve cells, neurotransmitters are released which are thought to reduce depressive symptoms and make long-term remission possible.
You may submit your information here and the Coordinator will get back to you.
“Dr. Graham-Brown has been my psychiatrist for the past 14 years. She is a good listener. I am always part of the treatment. She’s smart, caring, and makes herself available when needed. I can’t think of a better doctor to help me. I’d highly recommend Stepping Stones Psychiatry.”
— Anonymous