If you’ve been living with depression and haven’t found relief from medication, you’re not alone. Many people—especially older adults—struggle for years without a treatment that works. That’s where Deep TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) comes in.

Unlike traditional antidepressants or even standard TMS therapy, Deep TMS reaches deeper areas of the brain that are directly linked to mood regulation. And it does this without the side effects that often come with medications.

If you’re considering options, here are five clear reasons why Deep TMS may be the right next step.

1. It Works When Medications Don’t

One of the biggest benefits of Deep TMS is that it helps people with treatment-resistant depression. This means you’ve tried at least two antidepressants and still haven’t felt better.

At UPTMS in University Place, WA, most of our patients fall into this group. Many are older adults who have been managing symptoms for years. They’ve taken different medications. Some have tried therapy. Nothing has helped long-term.

Deep TMS offers a new path—without adding more pills. In FDA-cleared clinical trials, Deep TMS showed clear improvement for people who didn’t respond to other treatments. Many patients report better sleep, more energy, and an overall lift in mood.

2. It Targets the Brain More Effectively

Not all TMS treatments are the same.

Deep TMS uses a patented helmet with a special magnetic coil that stimulates broader and deeper areas of the brain than traditional TMS. This is important because depression is linked to neural activity in deeper brain regions that regular coils can’t reach.

If you're comparing options in the Tacoma area, this is where Deep TMS stands apart. It’s not just a stronger version of regular TMS—it’s structurally different and backed by decades of neuroscience.

This added depth leads to better results, especially for people with more severe or long-standing depression.

3. Fewer Side Effects than Medication

Anyone who’s taken antidepressants knows about the side effects: weight gain, nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction. And for many older adults, combining multiple prescriptions becomes risky.

Deep TMS avoids all of that.

It doesn’t involve medication. It doesn’t affect your digestion, hormones, or sleep cycles. The most common side effect is mild discomfort at the site of the treatment, usually fading after the first few sessions.

You stay awake during the session. There’s no anesthesia. And you can drive yourself home after—it doesn’t disrupt your day.

For older patients especially, that kind of safety and convenience makes a big difference.

4. It’s Backed by Science—Not Hype

There’s a reason UPTMS has made Deep TMS a central part of our approach: it’s grounded in serious clinical research.

The FDA cleared Deep TMS for treatment-resistant depression in 2013. Since then, studies have shown that it's effective for major depressive disorder, anxiety, and even OCD. It's not a “last resort.” It’s a well-researched treatment with a strong safety profile.

And we see the results every day in our clinic. People walk in feeling defeated. They walk out with hope.

This is especially true for patients who’ve been told to “just try another pill” for years.

5. It Respects Your Time and Lifestyle

Each Deep TMS session takes about 20 minutes. Most treatment plans involve daily sessions over four to six weeks. There’s no recovery time needed, and most patients can go right back to work or daily tasks afterward.

If you’ve spent years in therapy, tried medication after medication, or been told to “just wait and see,” Deep TMS offers a refreshing alternative. It’s short, focused, and doesn’t ask you to turn your life upside down.

And because it’s non-invasive and doesn’t rely on chemicals, it’s a good fit for many patients who are sensitive to side effects or can’t take more medication due to other conditions.

How UPTMS Can Help

At UPTMS, we focus on serving people who are ready for something different—especially older adults and those with treatment-resistant depression.

We’re based in University Place, near Tacoma, and we’re not part of a large chain. That means your care is more personal. You’ll work with a real team who listens, tracks your progress, and helps you understand every step of your treatment.

We also offer medication management, if that’s part of your care plan. Our goal isn’t to push one solution. It’s to find what actually works for you.

We don’t promise overnight success. But we’ve seen Deep TMS improve lives—when other approaches haven’t.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Deep TMS?

If you’re asking that question, you’re already doing the hard part: looking for answers.

Deep TMS may be worth considering if:

• You’ve tried multiple medications without relief
  
  
• You want to reduce or avoid antidepressant side effects
  
  
• You’re looking for a science-backed, non-invasive treatment
  
  
• You live near Tacoma and want care from a clinic that specializes in treatment-resistant depression
  
  

We’re here to answer your questions, talk through options, and help you decide if Deep TMS is a fit for you or your loved one.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn About Deep TMS

Contact us today to schedule consultation. We’re ready to help you move forward—with clarity, care, and a treatment plan that works.