TMS Therapy for Depression in Denver

TMS uses a magnetic coil placed against the scalp to deliver repeated pulses to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a region involved in mood regulation. The pulses pass through the skull without surgery, implants, or medication. TMS has been FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder since 2008 and is covered by most insurance plans when their criteria are met.

TMS is typically considered for adults with major depressive disorder who have tried antidepressant medication without adequate improvement, or who cannot tolerate medication side effects. It is not appropriate for everyone: metal implants in or near the head, a history of seizures, and certain other conditions require a careful review. Your psychiatrist screens for these at the evaluation.

• Evaluation with a psychiatrist, including a review of prior medications and a standardized symptom score.
• Insurance benefits verification and prior authorization submitted by our team.
• Motor-threshold mapping on day one to find your treatment spot and dose.
• A standard course of daily weekday sessions over several weeks, each lasting roughly 20 to 40 minutes depending on protocol.
• Ongoing symptom tracking; many patients notice changes gradually rather than all at once.

The most common side effects are scalp discomfort at the treatment site and headache, which tend to lessen over the first week. Serious side effects are rare; the risk of seizure is very low and is part of the informed-consent discussion.

Some people maintain their response with medication or follow-up care; others return for additional sessions later. Your psychiatrist will talk through what maintenance looks like for you.