Deep TMS vs Traditional TMS: What You Need to Know in Denver, Colorado

In the quiet rooms of mental health clinics across Colorado, a gentle clicking sound signals something radical: electricity reshaping the brain. Not through surgery. Not through medication. But through magnetic pulses—precisely targeted, rhythmically applied, and, increasingly, remarkably effective.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, is not new. It has been used for over a decade to treat major depressive disorder without drugs, and without the systemic side effects of medication. But recently, a newer, deeper variation of this technology—Deep TMS—has emerged, and with it, a quietly unfolding shift in how we understand and treat some of the most entrenched psychiatric conditions.

The question patients are now asking isn't just, "Does TMS work?" It's: "Which version of TMS is right for me?"

A Tale of Two Coils

At the heart of this debate is a piece of hardware. Traditional TMS uses what’s called a figure-8 coil to stimulate a surface-level region of the brain known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). This area, linked to executive function and mood regulation, is a key player in depression circuitry. But it is, neurologically speaking, only the beginning.

Deep TMS, by contrast, uses a patented H-coil developed by BrainsWay. Unlike its predecessor, this coil generates a magnetic field that reaches up to 4 centimeters into the brain—touching deeper structures involved in emotion processing, such as the anterior cingulate cortex and subgenual areas. If traditional TMS is a flashlight, Deep TMS is a floodlight.

Clinical data increasingly supports this distinction. A 2025 multi-site real-world study of over 1,200 adolescents and young adults found that Deep TMS produced significantly faster remission in major depressive disorder, with measurable improvements by the second week of treatment. A separate 2024 meta-analysis on OCD showed meaningful reductions in symptoms, especially when protocols included deeper and more prolonged stimulation.

Depth, it turns out, might matter more than we thought.

How Traditional and Deep TMS Work

The science behind TMS is fascinating.

Traditional TMS uses a figure‑8 coil to target the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), about 0.7 cm beneath the skull's surface. It's FDA-approved for major depressive disorder since 2008.

Deep TMS, developed with BrainsWay’s H‑coil, penetrates deeper (~4 cm) and stimulates broader neural networks—including subcortical regions linked to mood regulation. It holds FDA clearance for treatment-resistant depression (2013), plus OCD (2018) and smoking cessation.

Recent Clinical Studies (2023–2025)

1. Adolescent MDD safety & efficacy (2025) – A real-world study of 1,257 teens and young adults showed deep TMS produced rapid, high response/remission rates by week two.5

2. Accelerated dTMS for depression & OCD (2024) – Among 391 depression and 239 OCD patients, >60% achieved significant symptom reduction by days 6–10. No serious adverse events noted.

3. Late-life depression trial (2023) – Elderly patients experienced ~44% response and ~40% remission using standard H1‑coil protocols.

4. OCD meta-analysis (2024) – rTMS showed a moderate effect size (g = 0.65), with improvements linked to greater depression relief and longer sessions. 

5. Emerging precision protocols (2024) – The BrIGhTMIND trial outlined that targeting multiple brain networks across sessions boosts outcomes in treatment-resistant depression.

Rethinking Resistance

For people who have cycled through therapy, medication, and even traditional TMS without sustained relief, Deep TMS represents something more than a technical improvement. It offers hope.

This is particularly relevant in Colorado, where treatment-resistant depression—defined as failure to respond to two or more adequate trials of antidepressants—is increasingly common. The reasons are manifold: lingering COVID-era isolation, an overtaxed mental health system, and the neurobiological complexity of depression itself.

Deep TMS, with its broader and more robust stimulation of mood-related brain networks, appears to address that complexity head-on. In elderly populations, recent studies show response rates upward of 44%, comparable to younger cohorts. In OCD, Deep TMS has achieved FDA clearance—a distinction traditional TMS holds in only some configurations.

But the appeal is not just clinical. It’s existential. For patients who have internalized the belief that they are somehow “untreatable,” the sensation of the coil buzzing against their scalp—noninvasively, drug-free—is often the first physical sign that something might change.

Efficacy & Outcomes

• Depression response/remission rates: 40–60% and 30–50%, respectively. Deep TMS trends higher—especially with accelerated or tailored protocols. 

• OCD improvements: Moderate success, especially when depression co-occurs; longer and targeted protocols yield better results. 

• Accelerated TMS: Real-world protocols with twice-daily stimulation show rapid symptom reduction—beneficial for those needing fast relief. 

 Who Benefits Most?

• Deep TMS is ideal for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and those who didn’t fully respond to traditional TMS or medications.

• Accelerated protocols appeal to those seeking faster improvement.

• Older adults also benefit, with evidence showing comparable outcomes to younger demographics. 

Safety & Tolerability

• Both methods have minimal side effects: mild scalp discomfort or headaches, resolving within hours. Seizures are extremely rare.

• Accelerated TMS trials report no serious adverse events.

Why Depth Matters

Deeper stimulation of connected brain networks helps "rewire" neural circuits—a key factor highlighted in the BrIGhTMIND findings. Patients stimulating multiple networks experienced better outcomes than those focusing narrowly. nature.com

Cost & Insurance Coverage

Despite its FDA clearance and growing evidence base, Deep TMS is still unfamiliar to many. Insurance coverage, thankfully, is expanding. Most Colorado plans now approve TMS for patients with documented treatment resistance. But disparities remain, particularly in Medicaid, which does not cover TMS despite the fact that 16 other states cover TMS through their state Medicaid programs.

A single TMS session can cost between $250 and $400 without insurance. Full courses run 20 to 36 sessions. Clinics like Axis work with patients to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, navigating the maze of prior authorizations, billing codes, and clinical documentation. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the scaffolding on which access depends.

• Most major insurers now cover both TMS approaches when medications or therapy have been ineffective.

• At Axis IMH, we accept major carriers—including Tricare—for Deep TMS.

• Daily costs range based on session length and protocol; financing and sliding-scale plans are available.

 Axis Integrated Mental Health: Our Unique Approach

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we augment Deep TMS with a signature, story-driven protocol we call StorySHIFT™ (Story Healing Integrated Framework for Transformation). 

• Interdisciplinary coordination ensures your psychiatrist, therapist, and TMS technician collaborate.

• Aftercare support: Maintenance planning and ongoing therapy are part of the package—you're not just a number.

• Integrated care under one roof (psychiatry, therapy, Deep TMS)

• Fast prior authorization and insurance handling

• Locations in Aurora, Boulder, and Denver

• Real human support every step of the way

• StorySHIFT™ our proprietary Story Healing Integrated Framework for Transformation. 
• Complementary Workbook for use during the 6 weeks of treatment

Choosing the Right TMS Experience in Denver

When evaluating clinics, look for:

• Up-to-date coil technology (H‑coil for Deep TMS)

• Staff with neuroscience and mental health expertise

• Transparent insurance and pricing

• Personalized planning and ongoing support

Axis IMH delivers on all fronts—proving that advanced clinical neuromodulation can coexist with comprehensive, empathetic care.

The Case for Deeper Healing

To call Deep TMS “better” than traditional TMS misses the point. They are different tools, suited for different neurological landscapes. For some, surface stimulation is enough. For others—particularly those whose suffering has roots deeper than the cortex—a broader reach is essential.

What makes Deep TMS most compelling, perhaps, is not the coil design or the clinical trials. It is the possibility that the brain, even when wounded by years of depression, retains the capacity to change. Not just chemically. But electrically. Structurally. Permanently.

And in a time when many feel stuck—by trauma, by medication, by despair—that possibility is not just scientific.

Getting Started with Axis IMH

1. Clinical screening: Determine if you meet criteria (e.g., ≥1 failed antidepressant trial).

2. Initial consult: Review your history and discuss options (standard vs accelerated, coil types).

3. Treatment plan: 4–6 weeks, with daily sessions—timing adjusted to your needs.

4. Follow-up care: Symptom tracking, aftercare strategies, and psychotherapy included.

Ready to explore Deep TMS? Book your free consultation or call us at 720.400.7025 today.

FAQs 

1. What’s the difference in depth and impact between Deep TMS and traditional TMS?

2. How quickly will I see improvement, and how long do results last?

3. Are there any side effects or safety concerns with dTMS?

4. Will insurance cover Deep TMS in Denver/Aurora/Boulder?

5. Can Deep TMS help if I've failed medications, therapy, or traditional TMS?