TMS therapy at Kolmac: Magnetic stimulation for depression
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) works differently. Rather than adjusting brain chemistry through medication, it targets specific regions of the brain associated with mood regulation and mental health conditions using focused magnetic pulses. It’s a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment used when other approaches haven’t produced consistent improvement.
At Kolmac Integrated Behavioral Health, TMS is integrated into a coordinated outpatient plan, used alongside therapy and other services, so each part of care supports the others.
What is TMS therapy?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, is a method that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain associated with mood control. A device placed against the scalp delivers targeted pulses without surgery or sedation.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has cleared TMS for the treatment of major depression, using devices that have been evaluated in clinical settings for safety and effectiveness. It’s often considered when prior approaches have not led to consistent improvement or when medication adjustments haven’t produced lasting change.
Instead of making broad chemical changes, TMS focuses on regions of the brain linked with your mood. You’ll stay awake during the brief sessions, and many people can carry on with their jobs or obligations that same day.
Who is TMS right for?
TMS may be appropriate if you’ve already worked through therapy or medication and are still experiencing depression symptoms that affect concentration, energy, or follow-through.
It can also be a fit if medication side effects have been difficult to tolerate or if previous adjustments haven’t brought enough stability.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, TMS is an evidence-based treatment option when integrated into a suitable clinical plan.
When depression and substance use occur together, TMS can be incorporated as one part of a broader treatment approach, alongside care that addresses each condition directly. Progress in one area is coordinated to support progress in the other.
How TMS works at Kolmac
TMS at Kolmac follows a structured clinical plan. Sessions are scheduled consistently, with progress reviewed periodically so your care team can adjust based on how you’re responding. That structure gives you a clear picture of what to expect and how treatment is progressing over time.
What happens during a TMS session
You’ll remain alert throughout the session and can go back to your regular activities once it’s over. There’s no recovery period, so sessions fit into your existing schedule.
How many sessions are needed
We adjust as needed based on progress reviews during treatment. The goal is to see changes that extend outside the treatment setting, not just temporary improvements between sessions.
TMS alongside IOP or counseling
These parts of care work in parallel. TMS addresses brain activity, while therapy focuses on how those changes manifest in daily life.
TMS for co-occurring depression and substance use
When depression and substance use coexist, treating one without addressing the other rarely produces lasting results.
TMS can be incorporated into a coordinated dual-diagnosis treatment plan that directly addresses both conditions, with each component of care designed to complement the others.
At Kolmac, care across conditions is connected. Progress in managing depression supports the broader work being done in therapy or a structured program, rather than operating as a separate track.
Frequently asked questions
