TMS

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive, medication-free treatment for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health conditions. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, with offices in Westminster, Louisville and Aurora, Colorado, the team of mental health specialists uses TMS to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, substance use disorder (SUD), and more. Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule a TMS consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)?

TMS is a noninvasive treatment that uses a magnetic coil to influence your brain’s electrical activity. More specifically, it directs magnetic pulses at the regions of your brain responsible for mood and emotional regulation. The magnetic pulses increase electrical activity in these areas, relieving depressive symptoms and improving mood and outlook. 

TMS does not utilize medication and is an alternative treatment for those who have not responded to other treatments, such as antidepressants.

Am I a candidate for TMS?

The Axis Integrated Mental Health team uses TMS to treat various mental health conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• COVID depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Substance use disorder (SUD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Teenage depression
• Treatment-resistant depression

Sometimes, TMS is recommended for people suffering from certain types of trauma and grief.

What disqualifies you from having TMS treatment?

Not everyone qualifies for TMS treatment. Tell your Axis Integrated Mental Health provider if you have an implant that contains electronics or metal, like cochlear implants or a metal plate in your skull. Since TMS uses a powerful magnet, it could pull on these devices and cause a severe injury. 

Likewise, tell your provider if you have a history of seizures or epilepsy. TMS sometimes triggers seizures, so it might not be an option for you.

If the team determines you qualify for TMS, they move forward with treatment.

How Much Does TMS Cost?

The cost of TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) therapy can vary depending on how many sessions are needed, typically ranging from 20-36 sessions over 6 to 10 weeks. Without insurance, each session costs around $300, totaling between $6,000 and $15,000. However, many patients don't pay out-of-pocket, as most major insurance providers cover TMS therapy once a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression (typically after failing two or more antidepressants) is confirmed.

While Colorado Medicaid doesn't currently cover TMS, Axis Integrated Mental Health offers a unique scholarship program for Medicaid patients, making them the only clinic in Colorado to do so. They also work directly with patients’ insurance providers to secure prior authorization and minimize costs, ensuring transparency and affordability from the start.

Please read our article How much does TMS cost for more information.

What does TMS treatment involve?

Typically, TMS treatment lasts anywhere between 20-30 minutes. The length of the procedure varies based on your symptoms and goals. 

When you arrive at the office, you sit in a chair attached to a magnetic coil. Your provider will give you the option of earplugs and carefully positions the magnetic coils on your head. Once treatment begins, they emit targeted pulses to specific regions of your brain that regulate your mood and emotions.

When the magnetic pulses make contact with these areas, they increase the electrical activity there, relieving depressive symptoms and making it easier to cope.

What are the advantages of TMS? 

• Non-invasive & Drug-free

  • No surgery or medication required; uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity.

• Few Side Effects

  • Common side effects are mild (e.g., scalp discomfort or headache); no systemic side effects like with medications.

• Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression

  • Especially helpful for people who haven’t responded to antidepressants or therapy.

• No Downtime

  • Patients can return to work or daily activities immediately after each session.

• Insurance Coverage

  • Often covered by insurance after documentation of prior treatment attempts.

What are the disadvantages of TMS? 

• • Time Commitment

    • Requires daily sessions (about 5 days a week) for 4–6 weeks, which can be inconvenient.

  • Cost Without Insurance

    • Out-of-pocket costs can be high if not covered by insurance.

  • Not Effective for Everyone

    • Some people may not respond to TMS, or may need maintenance treatments to sustain results.

  • Mild Side Effects Possible

    • Headache, scalp discomfort, or lightheadedness during or after sessions.

  • Not for Everyone

    • Not recommended for people with metal implants in or near the head (e.g., cochlear implants, certain aneurysm clips).

Please read our blog on The Benefits and Advantages of TMS for more information. 

Is TMS treatment painful?

No. TMS treatment is safe and usually well tolerated. During the procedure, It’s normal to experience a mild twitch in your thumbs. You’ll also hear a humming or clicking sound emitted by the machine. Tell your provider if you feel uncomfortable at any time during treatment. They can easily adjust the strength of the magnetic pulses.

Will I need more than one TMS treatment?

Yes. TMS treatment is a cumulative therapy, meaning the results add up over time. The Axis Integrated Mental Health team develops a personalized treatment plan. They typically recommend a series of 30-36 treatments over 4-6 weeks.

Do you have any patient testimonials about TMS? 

Absolutely! In fact, our TMS program was recently featured in a local news segment highlighting one of our patients’ powerful recovery stories. The story features a mom who participated in our pro bono program who had tried everything for her depression—with no success—until she found relief through TMS at our clinic.

In the segment, she talks openly with CBS News about how TMS gave her her life back after years of feeling hopeless. Her experience is just one of many we've seen—where patients who’ve struggled with depression for years finally start to feel like themselves again.

We’re incredibly proud of the results we’ve seen and the lives we’ve helped change. If you’d like, we can send you the video so you can hear her story directly from her. Let us know!

Call the nearest Axis Integrated Mental Health office to schedule TMS treatment, or book your appointment online today.