Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Interested in TMS as a treatment for Major Depressive Disorder?  The first step is to fill out our TMS Questionnairre and you will be contacted by our staff to learn more!

or call us at (406) 587-0810

Our Scheduling Process

If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with our office, please fill out the questionnaire by clicking on the link marked Patient Questionnaire below.

After we recieve this information, our TMS Coordinator will contact you to review any additional information that we might need.  Once we have your completed questionnaire, we will most likely ask you to fill out a Release of Information (link below) so that we may obtain records from previous prescribing providers.  

If clients meet the criteria for treatment with TMS for depression, the TMS Coordinator will schedule you for a clinical consultation with a medical provider and  gather benefit information from your insurance company.  At the clinical consultation we will go over the details of TMS therapy with you, answer any questions you may have, and start the process of prior authorization of services with your insurance company (if warranted).  Once this is approved, we can move forward with scheduling you for treatment.

 Patient Questionnaire

Please click on the link above to access our patient questionnaire, which will be submitted directly to our TMS Coordinator.

What is TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when other depression treatments haven't been effective.

This treatment for depression involves delivering repetitive magnetic pulses, so it's called repetitive TMS or rTMS.

How does TMS work?

How Does TMS Work?.mp4

During an rTMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The electromagnet painlessly delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in the region of your brain involved in mood control and depression. It's thought to activate regions of the brain that have decreased activity in depression.  (the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex).

As these magnetic fields move into the brain, they produce very small electrical currents. These electrical currents activate cells within the brain, causing them to rewire, a process called neuroplasticity. In addition, TMS is thought to release neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Since depression is thought to be the result of an imbalance of these chemicals in the brain and incorrect pathways of brain networks, TMS can restore that balance and, thus, relieve depression.

TMS has also been FDA approved for the treatment of OCD.  Other conditions for which TMS has been studied include anxiety, PTSD, Alzheimer's, ADHD, neuropathic pain, tinnitus, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, stroke recovery, epilepsy, and migrane headaches.

Why Choose TMS?

Depression is a treatable condition, but for some people, standard treatments aren't effective. Repetitive TMS is typically used when standard treatments such as medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy) don't work.  TMS treatment is covered by most health insurance policies. 

Is TMS Right For Me?


Fill out the Patient Questionnaire below to request a consultation:

TMS Therapy is contraindicated in individuals with implanted metallic devices or non-removable metallic objects in or around the head.


Side Effects and Risks

Repetitive TMS is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation used for depression. Unlike vagus nerve stimulation or deep brain stimulation, rTMS does not require surgery or implantation of electrodes. And, unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), rTMS doesn't cause seizures or require sedation with anesthesia.

Generally, rTMS is considered safe and well-tolerated. However, it can cause some side effects.

Common side effects

Side effects are generally mild to moderate and improve shortly after an individual session and decrease over time with additional sessions. They may include:

Your doctor can adjust the level of stimulation to reduce symptoms or may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain medication before the procedure.

Uncommon side effects

Serious side effects are rare. They may include:

More study is needed to determine whether rTMS may have any long-term side effects.