TMS for Severe Depression
A Breakthrough Treatment When Medications Aren’t Enough
Depression can be incredibly difficult to manage, especially when traditional treatments like medication and talk therapy do not provide sufficient relief. If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant depression, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may offer a new path forward.
TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression. It’s completely non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and has minimal side effects. Many patients find it to be a safe and effective alternative when medications have not worked.
Who Can Benefit from TMS?
TMS is especially helpful for individuals with treatment-resistant depression — meaning they haven’t responded adequately to two or more antidepressants. It’s also a good option for people who prefer to avoid the side effects of medications, or who want to explore non-systemic treatment options.
What to Expect from TMS Treatment for Depression
TMS is done on an outpatient basis. During each TMS session, you’ll sit comfortably in a treatment chair while a small magnetic coil is placed against your scalp. The device delivers focused magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The sensation feels like gentle tapping or clicking on the head — not painful, though some people may feel mild discomfort or headaches early on, which typically improve after a few sessions. You remain fully awake throughout the process, and no anesthesia or sedation is required.
Treatment sessions typically last about 20 minutes and are scheduled five days a week for around six weeks, followed by a brief tapering period. There’s no downtime, so you can drive yourself to and from the clinic and return to work or daily life immediately after each session. Many patients start noticing improvement in their mood, motivation, and energy within a few weeks of starting treatment. Our team closely monitors your progress and can tailor the protocol as needed to ensure the best possible results. TMS offers a safe, non-medication-based alternative for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression, and it can be a transformative part of your recovery.
TMS Treatment Options in the Bay Area
If you’re curious about whether TMS is right for you, we offer consultations to discuss your history and available treatments. Reach out to PathWave Psychiatry to explore TMS treatment options for severe depression. Our TMS clinic is located in the Elmwood neighborhood of Berkeley, California, near the border with Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood and easily accessible from downtown Berkeley, South Berkeley, Claremont, the Cal campus and Emeryville as well as Oakland neighborhoods such as Temescal, North Oakland, and Montclair.
We’re proud to offer TMS therapy with personalized care tailored to each patient’s needs. Our team works closely with you throughout the process to ensure safe, effective treatment and consistent progress monitoring. We accept most major commercial insurance plans as well as Medicare and Tricare, and we’re happy to assist with verifying your benefits and handling prior authorization when needed.