Most people who arrive at The Mind Grove TMS Center have already tried medication. They have been through one antidepressant, or several, and are looking for what comes next. TMS therapy is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that works through a fundamentally different mechanism, and at The Mind Grove TMS Center in Colorado Springs, it is our main treatment modality.
What TMS Therapy Is
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation (Mayo Clinic, 2023). The treatment requires no anesthesia, no sedation, and no systemic medication. Patients remain fully awake and seated throughout each session.
TMS is not a generic psychiatric treatment. It is a targeted intervention for a specific patient: someone whose depression, OCD, or related condition has not responded adequately to medication. That specificity shapes how the treatment is delivered and who is most likely to benefit from it.
At The Mind Grove TMS Center, we offer repetitive TMS, or rTMS, iTBS and accelerated TMS using MagVenture technology. We offer augmentation with medication for some treatment protocols, as well as mindfulness based interventions and lifestyle psychiatry when they support the treatment effectiveness. . TMS remains central to what we do, and that focus shapes the quality of care we are able to provide.
How TMS Works
TMS targets the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain most closely associated with mood regulation. In patients with depression and related conditions, activity in this area is frequently reduced. Repeated magnetic pulses, delivered through a coil placed against the scalp, stimulate that activity and promote the neural changes that support improved mood and emotional regulation (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
This mechanism is meaningfully different from how antidepressants work. Whereas SSRIs and SNRIs adjust neurotransmitter levels throughout the body, TMS works by directly stimulating targeted brain regions. . For patients who have not responded to medication, that distinction may be clinically relevant: a different mechanism may reach the biology that prior treatments could not.
The beneficial effects of TMS do not typically appear after a single session. They develop gradually across a full course of treatment, which is why consistency and completion of treatment matter. Many patients begin to notice changes partway through the series, with continued improvement in the weeks following completion. Results vary by individual.
What Makes Someone a Candidate
TMS is FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression, meaning major depressive disorder that has not responded to two or more antidepressant trials at therapeutic doses or to evidence based psychotherapy, and for MDD with co-occurring anxiety, in adults and adolescents ages 15 and older. Insurance covers TMS for qualifying patients with these diagnoses (Cohen et al., 2022). These are the primary indications at The Mind Grove TMS Center.
TMS is also FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant OCD in adults, though insurance coverage for OCD varies by payer. TMS for PTSD is FDA cleared using the MeRT protocol only, which couples TMS to a quantitative EEG, using proprietary software. The MeRT protocol is not yet covered by insurance.
We also offer rTMS for anxiety and PTSD on an off-label basis, meaning those indications do not yet carry FDA clearance for TMS. Patients considering TMS for either condition should understand this distinction clearly before beginning treatment.
Some patients are not candidates for TMS, including those with certain metal implants in or near the head such as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, or metal stents in the skull or brain. A clinical evaluation before treatment begins confirms whether TMS is the right fit for each individual.
What to Expect During Treatment
Before treatment begins, every patient at The Mind Grove TMS Center undergoes a clinical evaluation to confirm that rTMS is appropriate for their condition and history. That evaluation informs the specific protocol and establishes the right approach for each person.
Sessions are conducted in our Colorado Springs office with patients seated and fully awake. A magnetic coil is positioned against the scalp and delivers pulses to the targeted brain region. Most patients describe the sensation as a tapping or knocking on the scalp. Mild discomfort is possible in early sessions and typically diminishes as treatment continues. There is no anesthesia and no recovery period.
TMS has a well-established safety profile. The most commonly reported experience is mild scalp discomfort at the site of stimulation, which tends to resolve quickly (Lisanby, 2020). Systemic side effects are not associated with TMS in the way they are with medications, because the treatment does not involve drugs entering the bloodstream.
Insurance Coverage and Cost
TMS is covered by many insurance plans for FDA-cleared indications. At The Mind Grove TMS Center, we accept insurance for qualifying indications, including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and MDD with co-occurring anxiety in adults and adolescents ages 15 and older. Coverage for OCD varies by payer. Off-label uses, including anxiety and PTSD, are not covered by insurance. Colorado Medicaid does not currently cover TMS regardless of indication.
Out of pocket cost for TMS treatment is a significant concern for many potential patients, and we want to address it clearly. Specific pricing is best discussed directly with our team. We encourage patients to have that conversation before making any decisions.
FAQ
Is TMS the same as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
No. TMS and ECT are both brain stimulation treatments, but they are meaningfully different. ECT requires anesthesia and produces a controlled seizure. TMS requires neither. Patients remain fully awake throughout TMS sessions and can resume normal activity immediately afterward.
Does TMS hurt?
Most patients experience a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp during treatment, not pain. Some mild discomfort is possible in early sessions as patients adjust to the stimulation. This typically diminishes over the course of treatment.
How many TMS sessions does a course of treatment involve?
Session count and frequency are determined during your clinical evaluation, based on your condition and the appropriate protocol. Your treatment team at The Mind Grove TMS Center will walk you through those specifics before treatment begins.
Will I need to stop taking my medication to do TMS?
That depends on your individual situation and clinical history. TMS does not inherently require patients to stop current medications, but any decisions about medication should be made in consultation with the prescribing provider. We encourage patients to discuss this with their physicians when evaluating TMS as an option.
How soon will I notice results?
TMS effects develop gradually across a full course of treatment. Many patients begin to notice changes partway through the series, with continued improvement developing in the weeks following completion. Results vary by individual, and completing the full recommended course rather than evaluating outcomes after only a few sessions is important.
Key Takeaways
TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation, with no medication, no anesthesia, and no systemic effects.
Effects develop gradually across a full treatment course rather than appearing after a single session; completing the recommended series gives the treatment its best opportunity to work.
TMS is FDA-cleared for treatment-resistant depression and MDD in adults and adolescents ages 15 and older, for treatment-resistant OCD in adults, and for PTSD using the MeRT protocol; coverage for OCD varies by payer, and insurance does not currently cover MeRT
At The Mind Grove TMS Center, we offer rTMS using MagVenture technology Results vary by individual; discussing TMS with a qualified provider is the right starting point for anyone considering it.
TMS therapy is not a last resort. For the right patient, it is a targeted, well-supported treatment with a clear mechanism and a well-established safety record. At The Mind Grove TMS Center in Colorado Springs, we work specifically with adults and adolescents who have not found relief through medication, and we are here to help you figure out whether TMS is the right next step. Reach out through our website to schedule a consultation and explore your options.
References
Cohen, S. L., Bikson, M., Badran, B. W., & George, M. S. (2022). A visual and narrative timeline of US FDA milestones for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) devices. Brain Stimulation, 15(1), 73–75. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8864803/
Lisanby, S. H. (2020). Transcranial magnetic stimulation: Safety and risk. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/media/2020/sarah-h-lisanby-transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-safety-and-risk
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Transcranial magnetic stimulation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this blog is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. TMS therapy should only be pursued under the supervision of a licensed medical or psychiatric provider familiar with your full medical and psychiatric history. Individual results vary. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.