When Traditional Antidepressants Aren't Enough.

TMS: Non-Invasive Treatment

A non-invasive, drug-free approach to mental wellness, guided by board-certified neurological expertise.

Man receiving treatment in Apollo chair.

Real Stories From Real Patients

What is TMS?

Think of your brain as a network of electrical circuits. When someone struggles with their mental health for a long time, the specific “circuit” that controls mood and motivation can become underactive, almost like it has fallen asleep.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive way to gently wake that circuit back up.

  • How it works: A magnetic coil creates pulses that send an electrical field to targeted brain areas. This can activate or inhibit the areas depending on the treatment Dr. Frank designs for you. These pulses are similar in magnetic strength to those used for MRI scans, but with TMS they are focused to just one small brain region.

  • The Goal: These pulses act like a “workout” for your brain cells. Over time, this stimulation helps your brain strengthen its own natural connections, making it easier for you to feel like yourself again.

  • The Experience: Unlike medications that affect your entire body, TMS only works exactly where it’s needed. There are no needles, no anesthesia, and you can drive yourself home immediately after a 20-minute session.

How TMS Works

Precision Mapping

Comfortable Sessions

Neural Activation & Recovery

Accelerated TMS Protocols

Your journey begins with a “Motor Threshold” assessment performed personally by Dr. Frank. This customizes the treatment intensity to what is necessary to activate (or inhibit) targeted brain areas. Once the intensity is established, Dr. Frank will determine your treatment spots through cortical mapping, based on the specifics of your presentation.

Once your personalized map is created, you will be treated in our TMS room. As the device delivers magnetic pulses to stimulate neural activity, you remain fully awake and alert. There are no needles, no anesthesia, and none of the “systemic” side effects — such as weight gain or memory fog — often associated with oral medications.

Over a course of sessions, these pulses encourage underactive neurons to “fire” more effectively, priming established neural pathways and facilitating new connections. Many patients describe the result as a gradual “lifting of the fog” and a return of natural motivation. Because the treatment is entirely non-invasive, there is no downtime; you can drive yourself home immediately after your session and resume your daily routine.

In certain circumstances, accelerated protocols can help patients recover more quickly. The appropriateness of applying these techniques is considered on an individual basis in close consultation with your mental health team. 

How TMS Works

Precision Mapping

Your journey begins with a “Motor Threshold” assessment performed personally by Dr. Frank. This customizes the treatment intensity to what is necessary to activate (or inhibit) targeted brain areas. Once the intensity is established, Dr. Frank will determine your treatment spots through cortical mapping, based on the specifics of your presentation.

Comfortable Sessions

Once your personalized map is created, you will be treated in our TMS room. As the device delivers magnetic pulses to stimulate neural activity, you
remain fully awake and alert. There are no needles, no anesthesia, and none of the “systemic” side effects — such as weight gain or memory fog — often
associated with oral medications.

Neural Activation & Recovery

Over a course of sessions, these pulses encourage underactive neurons to “fire” more effectively, priming established neural pathways and facilitating new connections. Many patients describe the result as a gradual “lifting of the fog” and a return of natural motivation. Because the treatment is entirely non-invasive, there is no downtime; you can drive yourself home immediately after your session and resume your daily routine.

Accelerated TMS Protocols

In certain circumstances, accelerated protocols can help patients recover more quickly. The appropriateness of applying these techniques is considered on an individual basis in close consultation with your mental health team.

Start Your Journey to Neurological Relief

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Frequently Asked Questions

TMS is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses—similar in strength to an MRI—to stimulate specific areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. By “waking up” these neural circuits, TMS helps the brain strengthen its natural connections, leading to lasting improvements in mood and motivation. these options are the right fit for your medical history.

No, they are very different. Unlike ECT, TMS does not use electricity to induce a seizure. It is a targeted magnetic treatment performed while you are fully awake and alert. There is no anesthesia required, no memory loss, and you can drive yourself home or back to work immediately after your 20-minute session.

Most patients describe the sensation as a light “tapping” on the scalp. While you may feel some mild discomfort or a slight headache during the first few sessions as your body adjusts, these sensations typically fade quickly. TMS is generally very well-tolerated and does not have the systemic side effects (like weight gain or nausea) often associated with antidepressants.

TMS is specifically FDA-approved for adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression—meaning those who have not seen sufficient improvement from at least one antidepressant medication. During your consultation, Dr. Frank will review your medical history to ensure TMS is the safest and most effective path forward for you.

 

Yes, most major insurance providers and Medicare cover TMS for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder when certain clinical criteria are met. Our team at You First Neuro works closely with your insurance company to handle the prior authorization process and help you understand your coverage before you begin.

Accepted Insurances

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