Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is becoming more acknowledged in the mental health community as a safe and effective way to treat multiple issues. Currently, the FDA has approved Neurostar TMS to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Major Depressive Disorder with anxiety features (MDD with GAD or other anxiety disorder), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and teen depression starting at age 15. Most insurances will cover the treatments for these indications. As more information is coming out about TMS treatment successes with other mental health issues (ADHD, autism, tinnitus, dementia, PTSD, etc) we anticipate that we will be able to offer TMS services for broader indications. However, these are not yet covered by most insurances and we are not quite ready to start self pay treatment plans for these other diagnosis. Please check back on our website in a couple of months.
The office is prepared to help start your TMS journey to treat Depression or OCD with several options:
You can start as a patient already within the practice. Just ask us at one of your visits, or fill out the depression questionnaire below for us to reach out.
Outside providers can refer patients (Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists, Primary care providers all can send referrals). We will reach out to your patient to set up a free 15 minute screening and information call with one of our office staff. If the patient wishes to proceed, we will schedule them for a medical consult with one of our physician providers to review diagnosis, outside records, and treatment plans. As the referring provider, our goal is to help you care for your patient through the TMS treatment, and then return them to you for ongoing care. We will keep you updated when they start treatment, and when they have completed treatment. We will not establish these patients in our medical office beyond treating them with TMS.
Self refer! If you are someone suffering from Depression or OCD and are interested in learning more about treatment options with TMS, please contact us or fill out the depression questionnaire that follows:
NeuroStar Advanced Therapy utilizes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to activate underactive brain regions associated with depression. This FDA-approved treatment represents a breakthrough alternative to traditional depression therapies, offering hope to those who haven’t responded to medication or prefer non-pharmaceutical options.
Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), NeuroStar TMS is a gentle, non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic pulses—similar in strength to those used in MRI machines—to stimulate nerve cells in mood-regulating areas of the brain. Research suggests depression stems from neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain, and TMS therapy works by positively influencing these chemical messengers to promote long-term symptom relief.
You’ll settle into a comfortable, reclined treatment chair while a small, curved magnetic coil is gently positioned against your head.
NeuroStar delivers precisely targeted magnetic stimulation to specific brain regions. You’ll experience a rhythmic clicking sound and a light tapping sensation on your scalp during the procedure.
Each session lasts between 19 and 37 minutes, depending on your personalized treatment protocol. Because TMS doesn’t affect alertness, memory, or coordination, you can immediately return to your regular schedule—including driving yourself home.
A typical NeuroStar TMS treatment course involves daily sessions, five days per week, for approximately 4-6 weeks. Your provider will customize the exact duration based on your individual needs and response to therapy.
NeuroStar is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Tricare. Over 300 million people have insurance plans that cover NeuroStar.
NeuroStar is a safe and effective treatment without the systemic side effects of medication. The most common side effect is mild to moderate pain or discomfort at the treatment site. For most patients this subsides within the first week of treatment.
No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells is a key part of why TMS is so effective.
NeuroStar uses focused magnetic pulses (similar in strength to an MRI), to revitalize underactive areas of the brain involved in regulating mood. When these regions are underactive, depression can result. “Waking up” these regions can have a lasting effect on depression, making long-term remission from depression a reality for many people.
A typical NeuroStar treatment plan includes 36 sessions that each last between 19-37 minutes. Your doctor will determine what is right for you. Completing the full NeuroStar treatment course gives the best chance for delivering long-lasting relief from depression.
The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy System is indicated for the treatment of depressive episodes and for decreasing anxiety symptoms for those who may exhibit comorbid anxiety symptoms in adult patients suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and who failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from previous antidepressant medication treatment in the current episode. The NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system is intended to be used as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is only available by prescription. A doctor can help decide if NeuroStar Advanced Therapy is right for you. Patients’ results may vary. Visit neurostar.com for full safety and prescribing information.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is supported by extensive clinical research demonstrating its safety and effectiveness for treating depression. Below are key studies validating this innovative treatment approach:
Study: Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Major Depression: A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Acute Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Depression and Anxiety, 29(7):587-596.
This multisite observational study examined TMS outcomes in real-world clinical settings, demonstrating significant improvement in depression symptoms across diverse patient populations.
Study: George MS, et al. (2010). Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Archives of General Psychiatry, 67(5):507-516.
This rigorous sham-controlled trial established the efficacy of daily left prefrontal TMS treatment for major depressive disorder, providing strong evidence for its therapeutic benefits.
Study: Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Patients with Pharmacoresistant Major Depressive Disorder: Durability of Benefit Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(12):1394-1401.
This one-year follow-up study demonstrated that patients with treatment-resistant depression maintained significant improvements after completing TMS therapy, highlighting the lasting benefits of this treatment approach.
Study: O’Reardon JP, et al. (2007). Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Biological Psychiatry, 62(11):1208-1216.
This landmark multisite randomized controlled trial established both the safety profile and therapeutic effectiveness of TMS for acute treatment of major depression, contributing to FDA approval of the therapy.