5 Common Questions About TMS Therapy

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Lawrence Abah, DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, FPA, and our team offer transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as part of an integrated, whole-person treatment model for major depression and other mood disorders.

For many people, TMS provides renewed hope after traditional antidepressants or talk therapy haven’t delivered lasting relief. Here, we answer the top five questions about TMS, everything you need to know about this innovative, science-backed therapy.

1. What is TMS therapy and how does it work?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive therapy that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. These areas are often underactive in people with depression.

During treatment, a small device rests lightly against your scalp and delivers rhythmic magnetic pulses, similar to a gentle tapping sensation. Over time, these pulses help “retrain” neural pathways, allowing brain cells to communicate more effectively and regulate mood naturally.

TMS doesn’t require anesthesia or sedation, and it doesn’t affect memory or thinking. Most people read, relax, or listen to music during sessions and resume normal activities immediately afterward.

2. Who is a good candidate for TMS therapy?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves TMS for major depressive disorder, and it’s especially effective for people who haven’t found sufficient relief from antidepressant medications or who can’t tolerate their side effects.

You might be a strong candidate if you:

• Have tried two or more antidepressants without adequate improvement
• Experience side effects that limit medication use
• Prefer a nondrug, nonsurgical option for depression
• Want to complement therapy or medication with a brain-based treatment

Before starting treatment, we’ll complete a thorough evaluation — reviewing your history, medications, and goals — to determine whether TMS is right for you.

3. Where is TMS performed and what does a session feel like?

We perform all TMS treatments at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in our comfortable outpatient setting. There’s no hospital stay, and sessions typically last about 20 minutes.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Mapping: Your first session involves a quick “brain map” to identify the precise treatment area.
2. Treatment: You’ll sit comfortably while the magnetic coil gently stimulates the targeted region.
3. Aftercare: You can return to work, school, or your normal activities immediately.

Most patients describe the sensation as a light tapping or pulsing on the scalp, unusual at first but not painful. Side effects are rare and mild, usually limited to slight tenderness or a brief headache that resolves quickly.

4. When will I start noticing results?

Every person responds differently, but many patients begin to feel improvements in mood, focus, or energy within two to four weeks of starting treatment.

A typical TMS course includes five sessions per week for about six weeks, followed by a short tapering phase. Because the therapy works by strengthening neural connections, results build gradually, often with subtle changes like better sleep, more motivation, or an increased sense of calm that deepens over time.

For lasting benefit, some patients choose occasional “maintenance” sessions after completing the initial series, though many find that one full course provides long-term relief.

5. Why choose TMS? And why Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy?

TMS offers new hope for people who have struggled with depression despite their best efforts. It treats the root cause — brain underactivity — without relying on medication. Researchers from Stanford University, the Mayo Clinic, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) agree that TMS can lead to significant symptom improvement or full remission for many patients.

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we combine this cutting-edge treatment with a holistic, integrative approach that addresses your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Alongside TMS, we provide:

• Psychotherapy and counseling support for insight and coping skills
• Medication management when appropriate for balance and stability
• Lifestyle and nutritional guidance to enhance brain health and overall resilience

By treating you as a whole person — not just your diagnosis — we help you reclaim energy, confidence, and joy.

If depression has kept you from feeling like yourself, you don’t have to face it alone. TMS therapy at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy offers a safe, effective, nondrug solution that helps the brain heal and function as it was meant to.

We have offices in Chicago and Aurora, Illinois, and Las Vegas, Nevada. Call us or schedule your consultation online today to meet with our team and explore whether TMS is right for you.