Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses precisely targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-regulating circuits in the brain — without medications, anesthesia, or recovery time.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses focused magnetic pulses — similar in strength to those used in MRI machines — to activate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. The primary target is the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a region that is underactive in most people with depression.
During a session, a small electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp. The device delivers repeated magnetic pulses that pass through the skull painlessly and stimulate nerve cells in the targeted region. Over the course of a full treatment series, this stimulation gradually reactivates underperforming neural circuits, leading to sustained improvement in mood, motivation, sleep, and concentration.
We offer both standard TMS and Deep TMS (dTMS), which reaches deeper brain structures and carries FDA clearance for OCD and smoking cessation in addition to depression and PTSD.
Schedule a TMS ConsultationTargets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder. Ideal for patients who have not responded to antidepressants but do not have complex comorbidities.
Uses the H-coil to reach deeper and broader brain structures than standard TMS. FDA-cleared for depression, OCD, PTSD, and smoking cessation — making it particularly valuable for veterans with PTSD or patients with complex presentations.
Your provider reviews your psychiatric history, prior medication trials, and diagnoses to confirm you're an appropriate TMS candidate. We also screen for any contraindications (e.g., metal implants in or near the head).
Your first treatment session includes a calibration process where we determine your motor threshold — the minimum magnetic intensity needed to activate motor neurons. This ensures your treatment is precisely dosed for your brain.
Standard TMS involves 5 sessions per week for 6–9 weeks. Each session lasts 19–37 minutes. You sit comfortably, remain awake, and can return to normal activities immediately afterward — no sedation or recovery time required.
Your team tracks your response using validated rating scales throughout the course. Many patients notice improvement starting around weeks 3–4. After the acute course, we discuss maintenance options based on your response.
Most patients describe the sensation as a light tapping or knocking on the scalp during each pulse sequence. Discomfort is mild and typically improves after the first few sessions as your scalp adjusts. TMS does not require anesthesia or sedation.
The most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort and headaches, which usually resolve after the first week of treatment. Unlike antidepressants, TMS does not cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or systemic side effects. Rare risk of seizure exists but is extremely low in properly screened patients.
Yes — TMS is covered by most major insurance plans including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and TRICARE, typically after documented failure of at least one antidepressant. Our team will verify your benefits before starting treatment.
Yes. TMS is frequently used alongside antidepressant medications as an augmentation strategy. Your provider will review your current medications and make any necessary adjustments during the treatment course.
Results vary, but many patients maintain improvement for 12 months or longer after a successful course of TMS. For patients who relapse, repeat courses of TMS are generally as effective as the first. We discuss all maintenance options with you after your acute course.
Book a consultation to find out if TMS is the right next step for your depression or PTSD treatment.
Mental Health Associates San Antonio is a proud member of Privia Medical Group — a high-performance physician network committed to coordinated, patient-first care across San Antonio and beyond.