If you’ve tried everything for depression—therapy, medication, lifestyle changes—and nothing’s worked, you’re not alone. And you’re not out of options.
TMS therapy for depression is one of the most promising treatments available today, especially for people with treatment-resistant depression. It’s non-invasive, doesn’t require medication, and for many, it works when nothing else has.
Here’s a clear, honest look at how TMS therapy works, who it helps, and what to expect—especially if you're considering treatment in the University Place or Tacoma, WA area.
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It’s an FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain involved in mood regulation.
It’s not electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). It doesn’t involve anesthesia or cause memory loss. TMS uses targeted magnetic fields, similar to those used in MRIs, to activate areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression.
The idea is simple: stimulate the right part of the brain consistently, and symptoms improve.
At UPTMS, we use a form called Deep TMS that reaches deeper brain structures than standard TMS. More on that below.
During a TMS session, you sit in a comfortable chair. A technician places a helmet (or coil, depending on the type) over your head. Once the session starts, the device sends short magnetic pulses into your brain. These pulses stimulate theleft dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—a region shown to play a major role in mood. You’re awake the whole time. There’s no need for sedation. Most sessions last about 20 minutes, and patients usually receive treatments five days a week for four to six weeks.
You can drive yourself to and from appointments. There's no recovery time needed.
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Not all TMS is the same.
Deep TMS uses a specially designed helmet (rather than a surface coil) to reach deeper and broader brain regions. This matters because depression doesn’t only involve surface-level brain activity. The deeper structures—those harder to reach—are often where the real imbalance lies.
At UPTMS, we use BrainsWay’s Deep TMS technology because of its ability to deliver more complete stimulation. It's also more comfortable and has been studied extensively in people with treatment-resistant depression.
If you've tried traditional TMS without results, Deep TMS may still be worth considering.
TMS therapy is best for people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who haven't responded to at least two antidepressant medications. That’s called treatment-resistant depression.
TMS is especially helpful if you:
At UPTMS, we see many older adults who have spent years trying to manage depression. For them, Deep TMS has often been a turning point.
Compared to antidepressants, the side effects of TMS therapy are minimal.
The most common issue is mild discomfort at the treatment site (the scalp or forehead). Some patients experience a light headache after the first few sessions, but it usually fades quickly. There’s no impact on memory or cognition.
No sedation means no grogginess. You can go about your day as usual—work, errands, family time.
For many, the low-risk nature of TMS is one of the biggest reasons to try it.
Most people begin to notice improvement within two to four weeks. Some earlier, some a little later.
It’s not an instant fix—but it’s not a guessing game, either. Unlike adjusting medications (which often takes months), TMS results tend to build steadily once treatment begins.
You’ll work with a provider who tracks your response and adjusts as needed. At UPTMS, we focus on careful monitoring and ongoing communication so we can help patients see results—and maintain them.
In most cases, yes. Major insurance providers (including Medicare) often cover TMS therapy for people who meet the criteria for treatment-resistant depression.
We can help you determine eligibility and handle prior authorizations. You won’t have to navigate the paperwork alone.
If you’re in the Tacoma or University Place area, UPTMS offers specialized care for patients who haven’t found relief through other means. We combine Deep TMS therapy with medication management, if needed, and we tailor each plan to the individual—not the diagnosis.
We also focus on helping older adults who may face additional challenges with medication, memory, or other health concerns.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all clinic. We take the time to understand your full history and help you decide if TMS is a good next step.
If you’ve felt stuck, TMS therapy for depression offers something different. It’s evidence-based, non-invasive, and doesn’t rely on adding another prescription.
At UPTMS, we’ve seen the impact of Deep TMS firsthand—especially for people who thought they had run out of options.
If you're ready to try something new and want real support along the way, we're here to help. Get in touch today.
