TMS is a treatment for depression and a number of other conditions. It is FDA-approved and is also used ‘off-label’ to treat a variety of symptoms.
Choosing the right provider for your TMS therapy is essential for your success. When you meet your potential provider, you should ask them about their experience with TMS, and how they work with patients with difficult cases.
1. Experience
When it comes to choosing a TMS therapy provider, experience matters. Look for providers with a history of treating patients who have successfully recovered from depression using TMS. Top TMS clinics will also have state-of-the-art equipment. This includes high-powered TMS machines and MRI machines that allow doctors to see what’s going on inside your brain during treatment.
TMS has been recognized by agencies in the US and around the world as a beneficial and well-tolerated mental health treatment option. Your provider should be able to provide data on patient outcomes through reviews, satisfaction surveys, and success stories.
2. Credentials
When it comes to choosing the best TMS doctors and clinics, you want to make sure that they have the proper credentials. The right credentials will show that they are a reputable provider that specializes in the field of mental health.
They should also have a strong track record of patient outcomes. This can be a good indicator of how successful TMS therapy will be for you.
rTMS is a noninvasive treatment that requires a series of sessions over the course of four to six weeks. This means that you will need to make sure the doctor’s office is close to your home or work and that it is affordable.
3. Specialization
The first step in choosing a TMS provider is often to find one that’s in-network with your insurance. However, it’s also important to make sure that the providers specialize in TMS for depression and treatment resistant depression.
Ask your provider about their experience with these conditions and whether they’ve seen many patients with these symptoms before. This can help you gauge how well they’ll be able to treat you.
Additionally, you should ensure that your provider has a comfortable and tranquil treatment area and that their staff is competent to execute your therapy plan as discussed.
4. Treatment Team
TMS therapy is FDA-approved and is considered a breakthrough treatment for depression that is often not responsive to antidepressants or other medications. It is less invasive than vagus nerve stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy, which require surgery and have significant side effects.
During your initial consultation, the provider should take the time to customize your treatment and answer your questions thoroughly. They should also be able to provide data on patient outcomes from reviews, satisfaction surveys, and follow-up questionnaires.
TMS specialists should also coordinate with your primary care physician, who manages your medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Ask if they do this.
5. Reputation
Emily has been with the practice for over a decade and is passionate about optimizing patient care. She has extensive experience in both publishing and investment banking, and is committed to making the office run as smoothly as possible.
He treats a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including treatment resistant depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, anxiety, and tinnitus. He has incorporated core TMS principles along with an orientation in existential psychotherapy into his psychiatric practice.
He also offers ketamine infusion therapy and is in-network with most insurance companies. His patients have praised him for his professionalism and compassion.
6. Outcomes
TMS therapy is typically used when standard antidepressant medications and psychotherapy haven’t worked. It’s believed that rTMS stimulates the brain and helps ease depression symptoms and improve mood.
When choosing a TMS provider, you’ll want to ask about their patient outcomes. This can help you find out how many patients see improvement, as well as how many experience a setback or side effects.
You’ll also want to find out if they coordinate with your psychiatrist, who manages your psychiatric medications and psychotherapy. This ensures that the TMS treatment and your psychiatric care are fully coordinated.
7. Comfort
TMS is not invasive, doesn’t require anesthesia and can be done in the doctor’s office or clinic. It is a very safe procedure that doesn’t cause side effects like nausea, dry mouth or weight gain.
During a session, you will be sitting in a chair while a magnetic coil rests on the surface of your head. You will be asked to remove glasses with metal frames and any metallic jewelry items as a safety precaution.
TMS is usually carried out for a series of sessions that are conducted daily for four to six weeks. Make sure to choose a provider that will be able to meet your needs and schedule.
