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When depression has not improved enough with prior treatment, it can be difficult to know what should come next. At The Mind Grove TMS Center in Colorado Springs, Megan Bowers, MD, PhD provides TMS therapy for adults with treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms and adults and adolescents (15-21) with major depressive disorder.
TMS is central to the care we provide, but it is not treated as a one-size-fits-all intervention. Dr. Bowers looks closely at what you have already tried, what you are taking now, what symptoms remain, and what kind of treatment schedule is realistic for you. From there, Dr. Bowers determines whether standard rTMS, iTBS, Accelerated TMS, augmentation with medication, or another clinical approach is the best fit.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. It does not require surgery, anesthesia, or sedation.
During treatment, you sit in a chair while a magnetic coil is positioned near the scalp. You remain awake throughout the appointment and can drive yourself afterward.
TMS is most often used for depression-related conditions, especially when medication or other prior treatment has not provided enough relief. At The Mind Grove, the first question is not simply whether TMS is available. It is whether TMS makes sense for your diagnosis, treatment history, safety profile, and current care plan.
At The Mind Grove, TMS is used for qualifying patients ages 15 and older with major depressive disorder, and for adults with treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms. These are the depression-related indications for which TMS is FDA-cleared and generally insurance-covered when criteria are met.
Dr. Bowers may also consider TMS for adults with generalized anxiety disorder or PTSD. While TMS is now FDA cleared for the treatment of PTSD using the MeRT protocol, the use of TMS to treat GAD is off-label, which means it is not FDA-cleared for this primary diagnoses. Both diagnoses are not currently covered by insurance. The research on TMS for generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD is still developing, so these conversations require a careful review of the evidence, the limitations, and the expected cost of care.
You can also read more about major depressive disorder treatment, treatment-resistant depression treatment, MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder treatment, and PTSD treatment.
A recommendation for TMS begins with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Dr. Bowers reviews your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, current medications, and any safety concerns that could affect treatment.
For some patients, standard rTMS is the right choice. For others, iTBS or Accelerated TMS may be more appropriate. Some patients may benefit from medication or other supports around TMS. Others may need a different recommendation entirely.
The purpose of the initial evaluation with Dr. Bowers is to make a clear, medically grounded recommendation — not to force every patient into the same protocol.
TMS sessions take place in our Colorado Springs office. During treatment, you remain seated and awake while the magnetic coil is positioned near the scalp. No anesthesia or sedation is required.
The time commitment depends on the protocol:
You can drive yourself after treatment. Dr. Bowers monitors progress during the course of care using standardized screening tools and follow-up appointments, and adjusts treatment planning when clinically appropriate.
Medication and non-medication strategies can be used to increase response to TMS treatment when clinically appropriate.
Examples of research-backed TMS augmentation strategies include treatment of insomnia, brief addition of medications that augment the mechanism of action of TMS, pre-treatment mindfulness-based interventions, and post-treatment brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). These options will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on your specific TMS treatment protocol, medical history, and preferences.
If you already have a prescribing clinician, Dr. Bowers works collaboratively with that provider on psychotropic medication decisions, and will not override the judgment of an existing prescriber. If you do not have a prescriber, Dr. Bowers can provide medication support directly when it is part of your TMS treatment plan.
The Mind Grove TMS Center is led by Megan Bowers, MD, PhD, a dual ABPN board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Bowers brings together clinical psychiatry, developmental genetics, and neurobiology in the way TMS care is approached. Dr. Bowers completed medical and graduate training at NYU School of Medicine, a postdoctoral research fellowship in Neurobiology at the University of Zurich, Adult Psychiatry residency at Georgetown University Hospital, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital.
For patients, that means TMS is not handled as a generic treatment sequence. Diagnosis, medication history, safety screening, protocol selection, and collaboration with other clinicians are all part of the decision-making process.
The Mind Grove TMS Center uses MagVenture technology for TMS treatment.
Insurance is accepted for qualifying FDA-cleared indications. Coverage varies by payer, diagnosis, and medical-necessity criteria.
TMS is generally insurance-covered for qualifying patients with major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms. TMS for generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD is not currently covered by insurance for those primary diagnoses.
Colorado Medicaid does not cover TMS.
The Mind Grove TMS Center provides TMS for qualifying patients ages 15 and older with major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms. Dr. Bowers may also consider TMS for adults with generalized anxiety disorder or PTSD.
TMS is generally covered by insurance for qualifying FDA-cleared depression-related indications, including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety symptoms for individuals 15 years and older. Coverage varies by payer and criteria. TMS for GAD and PTSD is generally not covered for those primary diagnoses, and Colorado Medicaid does not cover TMS.
If you are considering TMS, a consultation with The Mind Grove TMS Center can help clarify whether it is an appropriate option for your symptoms, treatment history, and current care plan.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. TMS is not appropriate for every patient or every condition. A licensed clinician must evaluate your symptoms, medical history, diagnosis, medications, and safety considerations before making treatment recommendations.
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