Frequently Asked Questions
About TMS Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is an FDA approved, outpatient treatment that uses repetitive, gentle magnetic pulses to strengthen communication in brain Salience Network that control our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Repetitive TMS, or rTMS, treatment involves focalized and safe stimulation, typically administered 2-3 centimeters below the Salience Network. This area is approximately the size of a 50-cent piece, with a standard course comprising 36 treatments.
TMS therapy is a safe and effective treatment for depression and is also helpful in relieving co-occurring anxiety. Anxiety disorders and significant anxiety symptoms cause severe distress and suffering. Anxiety is characterized by fear, worry, and apprehension about the future. It is easy to see how anxiety can contribute to the onset of depression and how anxiety can worsen the misery of depression. Therefore, early treatment of anxiety is essential before the individual develops avoidance behaviors and disabilities in their educational and occupational roles or in their relationships.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy can be an effective treatment for individuals with depression. TMS is a great option for those who haven't responded well to traditional depression treatments like medications or who experience intolerable side effects from these treatments or who to prefer not take medications. It's important when considering TMS therapy to discuss your full medical history and treatment options with a Salience TMS licensed psychiatrist to determine if it's the right choice for you. We offer educational TMS consultations at no cost.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy works better than antidepressant pills for some people. The STAR*D study showed that there is a decreasing chance of achieving remission after repeated trials of antidepressants while more than half of those who try TMS feel better.
TMS is a very safe and tolerable treatment. It uses magnetic pulses to strengthen parts of the brain linked to mood regulation. It causes fewer side effects than medications, and you can go back to your normal routine right after each session.
TMS targets specific areas of the brain. Plus, it's easy to tolerate, meaning most people can handle it without any trouble.
In short, TMS might be a good option for those who haven't had luck with antidepressants or want a treatment with fewer side effects.
On your first treatment day, your TMS provider will determine your prescription, including the dose and location of your TMS treatment. This prescription is unique to you and is based on your anatomy. After your location and intensity is determined, you will receive your first treatment. If necessary, they will make any adjustments needed to ensure the best results for you with TMS treatment.
A typical treatment visit lasts around 20 minutes, but the exact length depends on your individual needs and the customized prescription for TMS Therapy. Since TMS is a non-invasive treatment, there is no downtime. Generally, patients undergo 36 daily treatment sessions over seven weeks. Some patients may need more or less than 36 treatments to reach remission. Every patient has different needs and response trajectories, your provider and team will keep you informed along the way with outcomes and response.
TMS Therapy at Salience
We believe every patient matters and is deserving of our full attention. Salience TMS is a leading provider of TMS Therapy because of our patient-centered approach that prioritizes individual care with the goal achieving remission for every patient. We are dedicated to providing the best-in-class TMS therapy experience, from the moment a patient walks in until we reach remission of depressive symptoms, or we achieve the best response obtainable for the patient. (long) Our emphasis on delivering exceptional results starts with our highly trained and knowledgeable staff, who prioritize patient care and satisfaction each day. Over the past decade, we have become the TMS provider of choice for many patients, having administered more than 600,000 TMS treatments to individuals struggling with depression. Our proven track record, commitment to excellence, and focus on patient well-being make Salience TMS a trusted leader in the field of TMS Therapy.
Yes, we offer educational consultations to discuss TMS therapy at no costs. The consult provides an opportunity for you to learn about TMS from a Salience TMS Patient Advocate. These consultations can be conducted in-person or over the phone for your convenience. During the consultation, your patient advocate will explain how TMS therapy works, review your insurance details and coverage, and address any questions or concerns you may have. We encourage each patient to bring a supportive friend or family member to join them in the consultation. Click the “Find Out More” button in the header to sign up for your TMS consult.
Yes. Most insurance carriers cover TMS treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. Before treatment begins, your personal patient advocate will verify coverage and review your insurance benefits with you, making sure you know the estimated cost before getting started.
Our TMS Providers have all been extensively trained and certified by both the manufacturer and Salience TMS. Salience TMS has a well-established clinical support and evidence based clinical structure and processes. Salience TMS Research Institute also partners with our TMS providers to facilitate any patient needs that are outside the norm of care.
Our Patient Advocates and Treatment Coordinators are also extensively trained to provide ongoing care and patient support for TMS Therapy.
Once you’ve reached out to us by phone or by submitting a web form on our site, getting started with TMS therapy at Salience TMS is as easy as three steps:
- Meet with a Patient Advocate: Learn about TMS therapy, review your insurance details, and get your questions answered in an in-person or virtual meeting with a Salience TMS Patient Advocate.
- Schedule Your Evaluation: Your Patient Advocate will arrange an evaluation with a Salience TMS licensed psychiatrist, who will review your history and symptoms to determine if TMS therapy is right for you.
- Begin Treatment: If you are a candidate for TMS therapy, your Patient Advocate will help finalize your insurance approval and schedule your first treatment. The initial session will be longer as the care team determines the appropriate treatment plan for you.
The prices and costs of TMS Therapy depend on your insurance details and coverage. While other TMS providers may take weeks to obtain insurance approvals, our expert team and complete end-to-end system expedite the process, often securing approvals within 4-7 business days. We handle all the paperwork and coordination on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your path forward without unnecessary delays or stress. It's important to check with your insurance provider and our team to understand your specific coverage and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.
We've made it convenient for you to access Salience TMS therapy with multiple clinics across DFW and Houston. To find the location nearest to you, simply visit our DFW locations page or our Houston location page. Whether you're in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, or surrounding areas, we're here to provide accessible and effective TMS treatment to support your journey towards remission from depression.
Depression and TMS Therapy
Depression can be caused by a disconnection or a lack of engagement of certain parts of the brain along an area called the Salience Network. Think of the Salience Network as the brain's emotional control center. It delivers signals to and from the areas of the brain that determine how we act, react, and respond to situations, thoughts, and feelings.
When these brain networks aren't synchronized, your brain may have difficulty relaying information that can help you to "snap out of" negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When this lack of connectivity happens in the Salience Network repeatedly, people will often experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, sleep problems, cognitive impairment, and difficulty focusing.
TMS is similar to physical therapy for physical rehabilitation. During your outpatient sessions, TMS therapy uses the concept of repetition to build strength and enhance communication to get your brain in the habit of sending signals on its own.
By restoring communication and encouraging positive brain activity in the Salience Network, people often experience improvement with their depression, as well as symptoms associated with anxiety, PTSD, OCD, sleep, attention, and cognition.
TMS is not treating depression in the brain, it’s strengthening the functional connection within the part of the brain that regulates mood, TMS is not an antidepressant medication.
Symptoms may look different for everybody many times with depression patients experience difficulties with sleep, motivation, anxiety, irritability, focus and concentration. Many patients that complete TMS Therapy see improvements in a variety of areas other than feeling down.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a technology that has been around for over three decades but was FDA-approved in 2008 to treat major depression. Since then, the FDA has additionally cleared OCD, Anxious Depression, and Smoking Cessation to be treated with TMS therapy. A major benefit of TMS treatment is that it doesn't cause the common side effects associated with antidepressants. There are a few potential short-term side effects. Some patients report mild discomfort during the procedure, or may have headaches and/or fatigue; however, these effects are usually temporary.
The TMS Alumni Program is designed to provide ongoing support and monitoring of patients after treatment. Our dedicated Care Team takes a proactive approach by reaching out to Salience alumni patients post-TMS, ensuring continuous follow-ups quarterly. This allows us to assess and track the progress of patients as you navigate remission. Beyond the first year, the program transitions to a 6-month follow-up schedule, aligning with the evolving nature of remission. During follow-up appointments, your Care Team will conduct PHQ-9 assessments to monitor emotional well-being and progress, ensuring ongoing personalized support throughout the journey. This ongoing engagement underscores our commitment to remission and providing personalized support during treatment and after it’s completion for sustained outcomes.
Depression is frequently a recurring problem and can return over time. Luckily, when a patient has responded to TMS in the past, they are likely to respond in future courses of TMS therapy.
OCD and TMS Therapy
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has been known to be difficult to successfully treat. Up to over half of patients who take one of the antidepressant medications effective in OCD achieve the benefit they are seeking. For those persons, OCD can be another exciting alternative. Studies showed that patients obtained a 30% improvement in symptom severity after TMS in early studies and more recent studies suggest that in real world settings, that patients may get even greater benefits. TMS relies on magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain to produce improvements in symptoms. Reductions in the severity of obsessional thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors translates into a better quality of life for patients with OCD.
Yes. Most insurance carriers cover TMS treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and OCD. However, some insurance plans only cover the cost of treatment on a case-by-case basis. Before treatment begins, your personal patient advocate will verify coverage and review your insurance benefits with you, making sure you know the estimated cost before getting started.
Generally, patients undergo 36 daily treatment sessions over seven weeks. A typical treatment visit lasts about 20 – 30 minutes, but the exact length depends on your individual needs and the customized prescription for TMS Therapy. Since TMS is a non-invasive treatment, there is no downtime.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a technology that has been around for over three decades but was FDA-approved in 2008 to treat major depression. Since then, the FDA has additionally cleared OCD, Anxious Depression, and Smoking Cessation to be treated with TMS therapy.
Additional Information
Salience TMS Neuro Solutions provides a variety of resources to help you learn more about depression. Our website offers a wealth of knowledge, including a Depression Guide ebook available for download on our website at: https://salienceneuro.com/depression and current research on the efficacy of TMS therapy in treating depression. If you prefer to speak with an expert directly, you can click the "find out more" button in the header to fill out a form, or give us a call at 214.880.8778. Our team is here to provide information, answer your questions, and support you on your journey towards understanding and managing depression.
Certainly! You can visit our Patient Stories page to discover firsthand accounts of how Salience TMS Neuro Solutions has helped individuals achieve success in their battle against depression. Through patient success stories and testimonials, you can gain insight into the transformative impact of TMS therapy on the lives of those who have experienced it firsthand. These stories offer hope, inspiration, and encouragement for anyone considering TMS treatment as a solution for depression.
Our team is here to provide information, answer your questions, and support you on your journey towards understanding and managing depression. If you prefer to speak with an expert directly, you can click the "find out more" button in the header to fill out a form, or give us a call at 214.880.8778.
Click the “Find Out More” button in the header to sign up for your TMS consult. The consult provides an opportunity for you to learn about TMS from a Salience TMS Patient Advocate. These consultations can be conducted in-person or over the phone for your convenience. During the consultation, your patient advocate will explain how TMS therapy works, review your insurance details and coverage, and address any questions or concerns you may have.