Your TMS Journey

The TMS Process — What to Expect

Step 1: Initial Screening and Intake

The initial screening happens once a patient referral is received, or we are contacted by you as a potential patient seeking treatment.

One of our TMS technicians will contact you to complete a brief phone intake and screening to see if TMS would be an appropriate treatment consideration for you.

During this phone intake, you can ask any questions you have about TMS.

After reviewing screening information, if you are deemed a qualified candidate for TMS, insurance information will be gathered during the intake to check your patient benefits.

Cash options are available if requested.

Step 2: Insurance Benefits

If you plan on using insurance, we will call your insurance company in order to provide you with an estimate of costs for treatment based on your insurance plan benefits.

If you choose to move forward in the process, you will be scheduled for a TMS Evaluation.

Step 3: TMS Evaluation

A TMS Evaluation will be scheduled with one of our Board-certified Psychiatrists, Dr. Telford, or Dr. Johnson. This appointment usually takes approximately 90 minutes.

Before the evaluation, you will be asked to complete all new patient intake paperwork. Once completed, we ask that you submit the paperwork at least 3 days prior to your appointment. All forms are located on our website for electronic submission or PDF forms are available for download and fax/mail.

During this appointment the Psychiatrist will:

  • Review your medical history with you
  • Assess if TMS therapy is right for you
  • Answer any questions you have about treatment
  • Discuss with you the logistics and parameters of TMS treatment with you
Step 4: Prior Authorization

After the TMS Evaluation, your chart notes will be sent to your insurance to obtain prior authorization for treatment.

Typically, the prior authorization process takes 1 to 2 weeks for most insurances. When we receive authorization for treatment, our staff will reach out to you to schedule your first appointment for TMS Cortical Mapping and coordinate your daily treatment times.

If you are self-pay, we can discuss cash pay options.

Step 5: Cortical Mapping

A cortical mapping is performed with the Psychiatrist and technician on the first appointment of TMS treatment. Please allow about 60-90 minutes for this appointment.

The process of cortical mapping allows the TMS team to skillfully determine the proper treatment location and motor threshold used for the TMS treatments. The first 20 minute treatment is then administered.

Step 6: Daily TMS Treatment Sessions

For the most part, TMS technicians can work around your schedule to find a consistent and convenient time for your daily treatments, Monday through Friday.

Each subsequent visit following the first day of treatment will typically last about 30 minutes. Occasionally, times can vary depending on your individual clinical needs.

Since TMS is non-invasive, once your session is over, you can drive yourself home and go about your daily routine. Daily treatments are administered for 6-9 weeks, including a taper phase.

Motor thresholds are re-determined once a week and as needed throughout treatment by the TMS technician.

Step 7: After Care

You will have a follow up appointment half-way through treatment with your Psychiatrist and then 4 weeks post TMS completion.

A TMS technician will call you after 2 months and again at one year of completing TMS, to check in to see how you are doing.

Of course, more frequent appointments with the Psychiatrist are available as needed at any time during the treatment process.

The TMS Process —
What to Expect

The initial screening happens once a patient referral is received, or we are contacted by you as a potential patient seeking treatment.

One of our TMS technicians will contact you to complete a brief phone intake and screening to see if TMS would be an appropriate treatment consideration for you.

During this phone intake, you can ask any questions you have about TMS.

After reviewing screening information, if you are deemed a qualified candidate for TMS, insurance information will be gathered during the intake to check your patient benefits.

Cash options are available if requested.

When Does TMS Therapy Start to Work?

When Does TMS Therapy Start to Work?

You probably won’t notice any immediate effects, especially in the first few weeks, although some do. On average, most patients need at least four weeks before they start noticing anything different about themselves. Some patients won’t notice changes until weeks after they complete their treatment.

Some may begin to notice subtle changes at first such as a slight uptick in mood, future outlook, energy, motivation, and quality of life. Occasionally, patients themselves may not notice changes, but their friends and family may observe subtle changes.

Ongoing Treatment

Ongoing Treatment

After completion of a TMS treatment series, standard care for depression such as medication and psychotherapy may be recommended as ongoing treatment.

It's not yet known if maintenance TMS sessions will benefit your depression. This involves continuing treatment when you are symptom-free with the hope that it will prevent the return of symptoms.

However, if your depression improves with TMS, and then later you have another episode of symptoms, your TMS treatment can be repeated. This is called re-induction. Some insurance companies will cover re-induction.

If your symptoms improve with TMS, discuss ongoing or maintenance treatment options for your depression with your doctor.