TMS Therapy
TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to treat depression without medication or sedation. 15-minute sessions, five days a week, and you drive yourself home.
Considering TMS?
TMS is designed for people who haven't found adequate relief from antidepressant medications. You may want to talk to your provider about TMS if:
You've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD)
You've tried at least one antidepressant without adequate improvement
You're looking for a drug-free alternative or addition to your current treatment plan
You're an adult (18+) and able to attend daily sessions Monday through Friday
Want to prepare before you reach out? Walk through a few questions and print a one-page guide for your provider.
Build a guide for your providerAbout the Treatment
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment for depression. It uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in the area of the brain most associated with mood regulation.
Unlike antidepressants that affect your entire body, TMS targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex directly. This region is often underactive in people with depression, and TMS helps restore normal activity patterns.
At Harbors North, we use intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), the latest advancement in TMS technology. iTBS delivers a full treatment in just 3 minutes of active stimulation, compared to 37 minutes with older TMS protocols. Your total appointment time is about 15 minutes.
There's no sedation, no anesthesia, and no recovery time. You sit in a comfortable chair, and most patients read, listen to music, or simply relax during treatment. Afterward, you go about your day normally.
Backed by extensive clinical research and cleared by the FDA for treating depression
Quick appointments that fit easily into your daily schedule
Completely drug-free. No sedation, no systemic side effects
The Science
TMS is grounded in neuroscience. Here's how magnetic stimulation helps the brain recover from depression.
A magnetic coil placed against your scalp delivers brief pulses to the left prefrontal cortex, the brain region most associated with mood. The pulses feel like gentle tapping.
In depression, certain brain regions become underactive. TMS restores normal nerve cell activity in these areas, helping to improve mood, energy, and motivation over the course of treatment.
TMS promotes neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form new connections. The benefits often continue to build after treatment ends as the brain maintains its improved activity patterns.
TMS has been studied extensively in clinical trials. The most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort during treatment, which typically resolves within the first week.
Clinical Results
TMS has been studied in large-scale clinical trials. The results speak for themselves.
More than half of patients experience a significant reduction in depression symptoms
Up to two in five patients achieve complete remission — full relief from symptoms
A standard course of treatment over 6 to 9 weeks — daily sessions Mon–Fri, with the final 6 sessions spaced every other day
Based on published clinical research on TMS for treatment-resistant depression, including the THREE-D trial (Blumberger et al., The Lancet, 2018).
Your Treatment Journey
From referral to results, here's what the TMS treatment process looks like at Harbors North.
Ask your primary care doctor, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner for a referral to Harbors North. Once we receive it, our team will review your history and reach out to let you know if we can move forward.
You'll meet with our nurse practitioner for an initial evaluation. We'll review your treatment history, current medications, and determine if TMS is the right fit.
Before your first treatment, we'll perform a brain mapping session (45 minutes to 1 hour) to locate the precise treatment area and calibrate the device to your individual brain anatomy. Mapping sessions occur three times during your treatment course.
Sessions are about 15 minutes, Monday through Friday for the first 30 sessions. You'll sit comfortably while the device delivers magnetic pulses. No sedation, no downtime — go straight back to your day.
A standard course is 36 sessions over 6 to 9 weeks. The first 30 sessions are daily (Mon–Fri), and the final 6 sessions are spaced every other day as treatment tapers. Most patients begin noticing improvement partway through treatment. We'll monitor your progress at regular checkpoints.
Why Choose TMS
TMS is completely drug-free. No pills, no systemic side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or brain fog.
Just 15 minutes per session with our advanced iTBS protocol. Easy to fit into your morning or lunch break.
No surgery, no anesthesia, no sedation. You're awake and alert throughout every session.
Drive yourself to and from appointments. Return to work, errands, or daily activities immediately after.
Insurance & Cost
TMS is covered by most major insurance plans for treatment-resistant depression. Because it's FDA-cleared, many insurers cover TMS once you've demonstrated that antidepressant medications haven't been effective.
Our team handles the prior authorization process for you. We'll work with your insurance company to get approvals in place before you begin treatment.
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific insurance plan. For Medicaid and Molina plans, the copay is typically $0. For commercial plans like BCBSM, Priority Health, Aetna, and others, copays generally range from $10 to $70 per treatment.
We'll walk you through costs upfront so there are no surprises. Our team handles the prior authorization process and will check your benefits before your first session.
If you're paying out-of-pocket, we offer transparent private pay rates. Call us to learn more about your options.
Common Questions
A few of the most common ones, answered here. Full list on our FAQs page.
No — TMS and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) are completely different treatments:
TMS: No seizures, no anesthesia, no memory loss, no downtime. You drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately.
ECT: Uses electrical currents to intentionally induce a seizure. Requires general anesthesia, can cause memory effects, and requires downtime. You cannot drive the same day.
TMS is a gentle, outpatient procedure. ECT is a more intensive inpatient procedure. Both have their place in treating severe depression, but they're quite different experiences.
Most patients find TMS sessions straightforward and comfortable:
The Sensation: You'll feel a tapping or clicking sensation on your scalp during treatment — this is the magnetic pulse. It's not painful.
Comfort Level: The majority of patients tolerate TMS well and find it comfortable once they understand what to expect.
Session Duration: Standard sessions are about 15 minutes. Some specialized sessions (mapping sessions) take 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Awareness: You remain fully awake and alert throughout — you can talk to staff, listen to music, or relax in your comfortable chair.
Recovery: No recovery time. You can drive yourself and return to your day immediately.
The standard TMS treatment course is:
Duration: 36 treatment sessions over approximately 6–9 weeks.
Schedule: The first 30 sessions are Monday through Friday (5 days per week). The final 6 sessions are spaced every other day as treatment tapers. No treatments on weekends.
Session Types:
• Standard sessions: About 15 minutes each (most of your treatment days)
• Mapping sessions: 3 sessions during the course that take 45 minutes to 1 hour (these establish your individual treatment parameters)
Your treatment schedule is flexible, and we work with your schedule to make treatment convenient.
TMS has a solid track record of effectiveness:
Response Rate: Approximately 50-60% of patients experience significant improvement in symptoms.
Remission Rate: About 30-40% of patients achieve full remission (significant improvement or symptom-free status).
Timing: Many patients notice improvement starting mid-way through treatment, with full benefits often emerging after completing the full course.
Best Results: Completing the entire 36-session course is important for best outcomes. Partial treatment may provide some benefit but is less likely to result in full remission.
If you're not responding as well as hoped, our team can adjust your treatment approach.
TMS copays also vary by plan:
Medicaid: Typically $0 (most state Medicaid plans cover TMS with little to no patient cost).
Commercial Plans: Generally $10-$70 per treatment session, depending on your specific plan and deductible status.
Since TMS typically involves 36 sessions, we recommend calling us to discuss your total expected cost. We can provide a detailed estimate based on your plan.
Take the First Step
Call us to review your treatment history and find out if TMS is the right next step. No cost, no obligation.
(231) 829-7126Insurance Accepted
BCBSM · BCN · Priority Health · Medicare · Medicaid · Aetna · UHC/Optum · McLaren · and others