Medication, Psychotherapy and TMS for Healing Trauma

Trauma, whether from military combat, a major accident, a sudden loss or a frightening event, can change the way your brain works. It’s not just an event you remember; it’s something that gets locked into your body and mind, affecting everything you do.

The effects of trauma often show up as related conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression and intense anxiety. It’s common for people to have co-occurring conditions, meaning they struggle with two or more problems at the same time. In fact, 80% of people with PTSD also have another mental health diagnosis, like major depressive disorder (MDD) or a substance use disorder (SUD). This overlap shows just how complex healing from trauma can be.

If you’re a service member or a veteran, you’re at a higher risk. But the great news is that modern treatment doesn’t just treat one symptom; it offers a full, integrated plan to help your whole self heal.

The three-part approach to modern recovery

Trauma affects both the mind and the brain, which is why treatment works best when it addresses multiple layers of a person’s experience. When dealing with complex conditions that stem from trauma, relying on a single pill or one type of psychotherapy often isn’t enough. The most effective approach today uses three powerful tools together: medication, psychotherapy and advanced treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Medication

Medication can help reduce the intense symptoms that often accompany a trauma-related condition. Antidepressants, especially SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), are usually first-line treatments for PTSD, depression and anxiety. They work by stabilizing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence mood, energy, sleep and emotional regulation.

For many people, medication provides a more stable emotional foundation. It can help reduce panic, improve sleep and lower irritability so that psychotherapy becomes easier to participate in. While medication doesn’t erase trauma, it helps regulate the systems that trauma can disrupt.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy helps people process traumatic memories and rebuild healthy coping skills. Evidence-based treatments for trauma include:

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

These therapies help individuals reshape harmful beliefs, reduce avoidance and safely work through painful memories with professional support. Psychotherapy also gives people tools to manage triggers, strengthen relationships and regain a sense of safety in daily life.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

TMS is a noninvasive stimulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to activate underactive areas of the brain. It’s FDA approved for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and growing research shows it may also help people living with trauma-related conditions, including PTSD.

Individuals with PTSD who received TMS experienced significant symptom reductions, especially when combined with psychotherapy. While TMS for PTSD is not yet FDA approved in the U.S., it is approved in European countries and Brazil, and evidence continues to grow.

TMS can be especially helpful for people who haven’t found relief from medication alone. It strengthens neuronal circuits involved in mood regulation, helping the brain become more responsive to psychotherapy and daily stressors.

Each tool plays a specific part, and when they work together, the results are much stronger than when used alone. For instance, combining TMS with psychotherapy can lead to much higher rates of recovery for treatment-resistant depression compared to either treatment by itself.

Customizing your treatment plan

The path to recovery is personal, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. The best results come from a treatment plan that’s built just for you by an experienced mental health professional. As you go on your journey, it’s important to:

Discuss all options.

Talk openly with your provider about all available treatments, including TMS, psychotherapy and medication. Understanding the purpose of each treatment helps you make informed decisions. Your provider can explain how each option works, how they fit together and what to expect over time.

Understand risks, benefits and side effects.

Every treatment has its pros and cons. TMS, for example, is noninvasive and has few side effects, usually just a temporary headache, while medication may have more systemic side effects. Psychotherapy requires commitment and emotional work. Make sure you understand what you can expect.

Set realistic expectations.

Healing from trauma is a journey. Be patient with yourself and the process. TMS involves several weeks of daily sessions, and the effects of psychotherapy take time to sink in. Don’t measure your progress only by how you feel on the worst days, but by how your overall quality of life is changing.

Stay committed.

There may be moments when symptoms fluctuate or when motivation feels low. Staying consistent with treatment, communicating with providers and adjusting the plan as needed will help you move forward. For those with PTSD and co-occurring depression, getting consistent, long-term care provides the best chance for recovery.

Taking the step to integrate advanced care is a powerful act of self-care. It shows courage and commitment to a healthier future.

Trauma can leave deep emotional and physical wounds, but recovery is absolutely possible with the right support. A modern, three-part treatment approach — medication, psychotherapy and TMS — offers a powerful path toward stability, connection and long-term healing.

Healing trauma starts by turning to Psychiatry Treatment Centers for compassionate care

At Psychiatry Treatment Centers, we’re dedicated to providing comprehensive trauma-informed care, including TMS, Spravato® and evidence-based psychotherapy. We proudly partner with VA clinics and offer services in California and Georgia. We’re especially proud to serve our military service members and their families at our location in Hinesville, Georgia, which provides easy access to those connected to Fort Stewart. We’re honored to serve people from all walks of life. If you’re ready to start your journey toward healing trauma, we’re here to walk with you.

Reach out to our team by phone today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment. You can also book your initial appointment online now.