6 ways a professional TMS clinic supports your journey toward healing

Starting a new mental health treatment can feel like a big step, especially if symptoms haven’t improved as much as you hoped with other approaches. If you’re considering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, it’s natural to want reassurance about what the process looks like and how much support you’ll receive along the way.

TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses magnetic pulses to influence areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. A professional TMS clinic, like Psychiatry Treatment Centers, offers more than the treatment itself. Read on to learn six ways a TMS clinic can support you through each stage of care, from your first conversation to ongoing follow-ups.

1. Your first visit is focused on learning more about you.

A strong foundation starts with listening. During your initial consultation at a TMS clinic, your provider will take time to learn about your history, symptoms, and treatment goals. This visit typically includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation to help determine whether TMS may be a good fit for your needs.

You may talk through your mental health history, current symptoms, previous treatments, and any concerns you have moving forward. This collaborative approach allows your provider to create a plan tailored to you rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model.

2. You’re educated on the process before TMS therapy begins.

Education is a core part of your healing journey at a TMS clinic. Before you begin treatment, your provider will take the time to walk you through how TMS therapy works, the success rates, and what to expect moving forward. Some of the things they may explain include:

• How long each session typically lasts
  
• What a TMS therapy session usually feels like
  
• How the initial motor threshold mapping process works
  
• How many sessions you may need, both per week and overall
  
• When your sessions can be scheduled during the week
  
• Any side effects you may notice (e.g., facial twitching, muscle tingling)

Setting basic expectations like these and others can help you feel more confident and prepared, reducing the uncertainties you might have about the process. If you have any additional questions, the team at your TMS clinic is happy to help.

3. You’re treated by dedicated clinical professionals

At a TMS clinic, you’ll get to know your care team and learn more about their roles in your treatment. This may include a psychiatric provider, a TMS specialist, and other support professionals. Beyond expert oversight and monitoring, seeing familiar faces at each appointment can bring a sense of comfort, and you’ll know who to turn to if you have any questions or concerns.

Many TMS clinics also take a collaborative approach, coordinating with other providers involved in your health care outside the practice. This helps ensure you receive comprehensive, consistent guidance throughout your mental health journey, and you feel supported at each stage.

4. You can explore multiple treatment options.

Your treatment plan may involve a combination of approaches, including medication management, mental health counseling and lifestyle modifications. Each of these elements works together to address different aspects of your well-being. Your clinical team can help you understand how an advanced approach, like TMS therapy, may complement these strategies and fit into a broader health plan. 

5. Your provider can help with insurance.

If your TMS clinic accepts insurance, they can help you manage this key part of your health care journey. For instance, the PTC team can coordinate with your insurance provider to get the necessary prior authorization for TMS therapy. We can also explain how your insurance coverage works. That way, you fully understand your financial responsibility and can plan for those upcoming out-of-pocket health expenses.

6. Your treatment plan can evolve with you.

Just like other personalized health care plans, your treatment at a TMS clinic may evolve as your needs change. Even though it’s initially crafted to align with your mental health goals, it’s continuously monitored to ensure it aligns with your progress. While under their care, your clinic’s team will check in with you to see how you’re feeling, assess your symptoms and fine-tune your treatment plan accordingly. They may also adjust the frequency or intensity of your TMS sessions for best results.

Reach out to PTC to learn about TMS therapy

Your healing journey doesn’t always follow a straightforward path, but your TMS clinical team can help you feel supported at every turn. At PTC, we offer TMS therapy in our Southern California locations. We’re also especially proud to offer this option in our Hinesville, Georgia, location, as it allows us to help many of our local military service members and other individuals.

Contact our team by phone today for more information about our TMS clinics or to schedule an initial consultation. You can also book an appointment online now.