At McLean Counseling Center, in-office sessions with McLean Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy usually occur 5 days a week for approximately 6-7 weeks.*
You’ll be comfortably reclined in a treatment chair, with a small, curved magnetic coil placed lightly on your head.
NeuroStar administers focused magnetic stimulation directly to specific brain areas. You may hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation on your head.
Each session typically lasts between 19 and 37 minutes, based on your doctor’s recommendation. You can resume regular activities immediately after treatment.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) works by delivering magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. These pulses induce small electrical currents, which can modulate neural activity in targeted regions associated with mood regulation, pain perception, and cognition. By stimulating or inhibiting neural circuits, TMS can help restore the balance of brain activity, making it beneficial for McLean residents with conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain.
TMS therapy is FDA-cleared for adjunct treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 15-21. TMS now offers a treatment alternative for younger patients grappling with depression, especially those who haven’t found success with traditional care methods.
FDA cleared and recognized as a safe non-invasive therapy
Has a lack of systemic side effects often associated with medication, providing a safe and well-tolerated treatment option for mental health conditions
Can serve as a standalone therapy or complement your current medication regimen
Offers zero downtime, allowing individuals to resume their daily activities immediately after treatment sessions
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression, especially in patients who have not responded to other treatments. TMS therapy involves placing a magnetic coil near the scalp, which generates magnetic pulses that influence brain activity. This innovative approach offers a promising solution for individuals seeking alternatives to traditional antidepressant medications.
A typical TMS treatment course consists of approximately 36 sessions, usually spread over 6 to 7 weeks. Patients typically receive treatment 5 days a week, with each session lasting about 20 to 40 minutes. Many patients begin to notice improvements in their symptoms within the first few weeks of therapy, making TMS a time-efficient option for long-term mental health benefits.
Yes, TMS Therapy is an excellent alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications. Many individuals experience adverse reactions to medications, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or sleep disturbances. TMS therapy, on the other hand, is well-tolerated with minimal side effects, the most common being mild scalp discomfort or headache, which typically resolve quickly. This makes TMS a viable and appealing option for those seeking relief from depression without the burden of medication side effects.
TMS Therapy is distinct from other alternative therapies that use magnets. Unlike static magnets used in alternative treatments, TMS employs rapidly changing magnetic fields to create electrical currents in specific brain regions. This scientific approach directly influences brain activity and is backed by extensive clinical research demonstrating its effectiveness for treating depression. TMS is a medically approved and rigorously tested procedure, ensuring it stands apart from less scientifically validated magnetic therapies.
