Depression does not always respond to medication. For many people in Woodland Hills, Tarzana, West Hills, and across the West Valley, antidepressants either stop working or never work at all. TMS therapy for depression is an FDA-approved, drug-free option that targets the brain regions directly involved in mood regulation.
At Iris TMS Wellness, Dr. Elena Kapustina, PsyD, oversees every treatment plan so you know exactly who is responsible for your care.
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TMS therapy for depression uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive nerve cells in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain most closely linked to mood and emotional regulation. The procedure is non-invasive, performed in an outpatient setting, and requires no anesthesia or recovery time.
The FDA approved transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depressive disorder in 2008. Since then, it has been used to help thousands of patients across Southern California who did not get adequate relief from antidepressant medications.
At Iris TMS Wellness in Woodland Hills, treatment sessions are conducted in a calm, clinical environment. Patients sit in a reclined chair while a trained technician positions an electromagnetic coil near the scalp. The coil delivers repetitive magnetic pulses to targeted brain regions for a set period. Most patients return to normal daily activities immediately after each session.
Medicare and most major insurance plans cover TMS for depression. Our team confirms your coverage in 24 to 48 hours – at no cost to you.
Every TMS treatment plan at Iris TMS Wellness is personally overseen by Dr. Elena Kapustina, PsyD. You know exactly who is responsible for your care.
TMS therapy for depression is specifically designed for adults who meet one or more of the following criteria.
You may be a strong candidate if:
Depression affects roughly 21 million adults in the United States each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Among those who try antidepressants, approximately one in three do not achieve full remission from their first medication. For patients in this group, transcranial magnetic stimulation offers a clinically supported, FDA-approved next step.
Dr. Elena Kapustina, PsyD, conducts a comprehensive initial assessment for every patient at Iris TMS Wellness. That assessment determines candidacy, maps the specific treatment area on the scalp, and establishes a personalized treatment plan before sessions begin.
TMS therapy for depression has a strong clinical track record. The numbers matter here.
According to a widely cited review published by Harvard Health, approximately 50 to 60 percent of people with treatment-resistant depression show a meaningful positive response to TMS. Around 30 percent achieve full remission, meaning their depression symptoms essentially disappear.
For patients who struggle with both major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder together, the outcomes are even stronger. A study indexed in the National Library of Medicine found that 76 percent of participants experienced significant relief from depression symptoms and 84 percent saw improvement in anxiety after TMS treatment.
These are not outcomes from a single study. They represent a pattern seen across years of clinical research and real-world practice across Los Angeles County, the West Valley, and Ventura County.
Many patients ask the same question before starting TMS: “How is this different from taking another medication?” The difference is in how each treatment works.
Antidepressant medications use chemical compounds that travel through the bloodstream to influence neurotransmitter activity throughout the entire brain and body. This broad chemical approach is what produces systemic side effects like weight changes, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, and emotional blunting.
TMS therapy for depression works differently. A magnetic coil targets a precise area of the left prefrontal cortex. Repetitive magnetic pulses create small electrical currents in that specific region, directly activating the nerve cells responsible for mood regulation. The effect is localized. It does not require the bloodstream. It does not affect the rest of the body.
| Feature | TMS Therapy | Antidepressant Medication |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approved for Depression | Yes (2008) | Yes (varies by drug) |
| Requires Daily Pills | No | Yes |
| Systemic Side Effects | Rare | Common |
| Works for Treatment-Resistant Cases | Yes | Often does not |
| Covered by Medicare | Yes (with prior auth) | Yes |
| Outpatient / No Downtime | Yes | Yes |
| Monitored by a Licensed Provider | Yes, every session at Iris TMS | Varies |
A standard TMS session for depression at Iris TMS Wellness follows a clear, consistent process
Dr. Kapustina reviews your clinical history, depression severity, prior treatment responses, and insurance information. She identifies the optimal placement point on the scalp called the motor threshold measurement which ensures the magnetic pulses are calibrated accurately for your brain.
You sit in a treatment chair, fully awake and alert. A technician places the electromagnetic coil against the left side of your scalp. The device delivers a series of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses in timed intervals. You may hear a clicking sound and feel a light tapping sensation on the scalp. Most patients tolerate this without any discomfort. Sessions typically last between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the protocol used.
No recovery time is required. Patients drive themselves home, return to work, or continue daily activities without restriction. There are no cognitive side effects, no sedation, and no systemic medication effects to manage.
A standard TMS protocol for depression involves 36 sessions delivered five days a week over approximately seven weeks. Some patients see noticeable improvement in mood and energy within the first two weeks. Most patients experience the strongest cumulative benefit by the end of the full course. Accelerated TMS protocols are also available. Dr. Kapustina will discuss all protocol options during the initial consultation.
Yes. TMS therapy for depression is one of the most extensively studied non-invasive brain stimulation methods in psychiatry.
The most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort or a light headache during or shortly after the first few sessions. These effects typically reduce as the body adjusts to the magnetic pulses and usually resolve within the first week of treatment.
Serious side effects are rare. TMS does not cause seizures in the vast majority of patients. It does not produce the cognitive or memory side effects associated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Patients remain fully conscious and alert throughout every session.
Medicare covers TMS therapy for depression when specific clinical criteria are met.
Medicare Part B covers transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depressive disorder when the patient has a documented diagnosis of MDD, has tried and failed to respond adequately to at least one antidepressant medication, and has a referring physician or psychiatrist supporting the treatment recommendation.
For seniors in Woodland Hills, West Hills, Tarzana, Calabasas, and surrounding communities, Medicare-covered TMS for depression is one of the most significant and underutilized treatment options available.
Most major commercial insurance plans also cover TMS for depression, including plans through:
Duration of response varies by patient. However, clinical research consistently shows that TMS depression results are durable.
A majority of patients who respond to a full TMS course maintain their improvement for 12 months or more. Some patients remain in remission for several years. For patients whose depression returns after an initial course, repeat TMS treatment sometimes called maintenance TMS has been shown to be effective.
Our team contacts your carrier directly and provides a written cost estimate before any treatment begins. You do not need to call your insurance company or navigate prior authorization rules on your own.
No commitment required. Free, same-day response.
A standard TMS course for depression is 36 sessions, typically delivered five times per week over seven weeks. Some patients with milder presentations may see results within the first two to three weeks.
Most patients describe a tapping or light knocking sensation on the scalp during sessions. Scalp discomfort is most common in the first week and reduces significantly as treatment continues. Headaches are possible but usually mild and brief.
Yes. TMS therapy for depression can be used alongside antidepressant medication. Some patients use TMS to transition off medication. Others use it to enhance a partial medication response. Dr. Kapustina reviews all current medications at intake.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) requires general anesthesia and intentionally induces a brief seizure. TMS does not require anesthesia, does not induce seizures, and has no documented effect on memory or cognitive function. TMS is significantly less intensive and is used for patients at an earlier stage of treatment resistance than ECT.
Yes. Iris TMS Wellness has specific clinical pathways for seniors covered under Medicare and for teens and young adults referred by a treating clinician.
Some patients notice mood improvements within the first two weeks of treatment. The majority of patients experience the most significant benefit between weeks four and seven. Full evaluation of treatment response is assessed at the end of the course.