TMS Treatment for Depression: Is This Non-Medication Option Right for You?

TMS is an FDA-approved, noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These pulses help "reset" dysfunctional brain patterns and promote neuroplasticity, making TMS especially effective for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and even bipolar disorder.

Unlike ECT, TMS doesn't require anesthesia or cause memory loss. It also avoids the systemic side effects of medications like weight gain or emotional blunting. Most patients tolerate it well, experiencing only mild side effects like scalp discomfort or headache.

Who Can Benefit Most from TMS Therapy?

TMS is particularly helpful for patients who:

• Have tried 1–2 antidepressants with little or no improvement
• Experience significant side effects from medications
• Have been diagnosed with MDD, TRD, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or bipolar depression
• Are looking for a drug-free, evidence-based alternative to standard treatments

However, TMS is not recommended for people with certain metal implants, a history of seizures, or unstable medical conditions. An intake appointment will determine your eligibility.

What Happens During a TMS Treatment Session?

Each session is simple, safe, and requires no downtime:

1. Mapping & Motor Threshold: In your first visit, the provider identifies the best placement and stimulation level by observing muscle twitches in your hand or fingers.
2. Painless Stimulation: A magnetic coil is placed against your scalp to deliver quick pulses. You may hear tapping or clicking and feel a tapping sensation.
3. Short & Convenient: Each treatment lasts about 20–30 minutes. You can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately after.

Treatment is done 5 days a week for 4–6 weeks, totaling 30–36 sessions. Axis offers a welcoming outpatient environment so patients feel supported throughout.

How Effective Is TMS Compared to Antidepressants and ECT?

Studies show that TMS has a response rate of 70–80%, with about 60% of patients achieving full remission. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to work and often lose effectiveness, TMS creates more lasting change in the brain’s neural pathways. Compared to ECT, it is far more tolerable and does not involve cognitive side effects or sedation.

Are There Side Effects from TMS Treatment?

Most side effects are mild and temporary:

• Scalp discomfort
• Mild headache
• Lightheadedness
• Facial twitching during treatment

Rare but serious side effects may include seizures or hearing issues if ear protection isn’t used properly. Your care team will walk you through safety guidelines and adjust your treatment as needed.

Can You Combine TMS with Therapy and Medication

At Axis, we recommend combining TMS with ongoing psychotherapy and medication management (if applicable). This integrative approach boosts your chances of long-term success. You can also do TMS concurrently with Spravato treatment if your provider recommends it. If you’re not currently in therapy, our team can help connect you with a licensed professional.

We also advise patients to:

• Sleep well the night before treatment
• Limit caffeine and alcohol use
• Stay consistent with medications as prescribed

Where Can I Get Deep TMS Treatment in Denver County or Boulder County?

Axis Integrated Mental Health provides Deep TMS with Brainsway machines to all qualified patients. To get started:

1. Schedule an intake appointment with our psychiatric providers.
2. We’ll assess your eligibility and submit a prior authorization request to your insurance.
3. Once approved, we’ll begin treatment sessions and monitor your progress closely.

Axis Integrated Mental Health’s team of MDs and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners is highly experienced in administering TMS with compassion and precision.

What Makes Deep TMS Therapy at Axis Different?

Most clinics focus on the brain and treat TMS as just a procedure. We also focus on the story it's telling.
At Axis, we pair cutting-edge TMS treatment with a proprietary 6-week storytelling intervention designed to help patients identify and rewrite the internal narratives that fuel depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. This information is shared with providers and therapists as well. Through guided reflection and structured support, we help people shift from stories of stuckness and shame to ones of strength, meaning, and hope. This dual approach—healing both the brain and the story—sets us apart and leads to deeper, more lasting transformation.

During the 6 weeks of treatment, you will get:

• Personalized psychiatric care 
• Our Proprietary TMS Workbook
• Social prescribing interventions like free tickets to the Denver Botanic Gardens
• Daily TMS treatment with technicians trained in our proprietary storytelling approach
• Saturday appointments
• Transparent pricing and insurance navigation
• An inviting, non-clinical environment focused on your comfort

What Makes Axis Integrated Mental Health the Best TMS Clinic in Colorado? 

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we believe the best mental health care doesn’t just treat the brain—it listens to the story it’s telling. That’s why we’ve reimagined what a TMS clinic can be.

We’re not just the most awarded mental health clinic in Colorado—we're also the most trusted. Our recognitions include Top Startup of the Year, Best of Mile High™ Mental Wellness Clinic, and Top 100 Woman-Owned Company by ColoradoBiz Magazine. But what truly sets us apart is how we serve the community: over $400,000 in pro bono care provided to underserved patients, including first responders, Medicaid recipients, and Coloradans in crisis.

Our approach to TMS is collaborative and personal. We don't just run protocols—we work hand-in-hand with your therapist and psychiatric provider to understand why your brain is stuck and how we can help it heal. Our approach means patients get more than symptom relief—they get their lives back. Many patients have called our unique storytelling approach life-changing. 

We also offer social prescribing, connecting patients to community support, nature-based healing, and purpose-driven routines that improve outcomes beyond the clinic walls. And with full insurance support and transparent TMS Costs, in-house prior authorizations, and a care coordination team that fights to lower your out-of-pocket costs, our streamlined system ensures you get the help you need with the least hassle and the lowest price.

No waiting lists. No jumping through hoops. Just exceptional, evidence-based care that works. That’s what makes Axis the best TMS clinic in Colorado.

Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better Today

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions and haven’t found relief through traditional treatments, TMS could be the solution. Contact Axis Integrated Mental Health today to schedule your intake appointment and begin your healing journey.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between TMS and Deep TMS?
2. What makes Axis Integrated Mental Health the best TMS Clinic in Colorado?
3. Can you do ketamine therapy and TMS at the same time? 
4. Is Deep TMS more effective than traditional TMS?