TMS Therapy — FDA-Cleared, Non-Invasive Mental Health Treatment in Mt Kisco, NY
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy is a safe, effective, and FDA-cleared treatment for depression and OCD that has helped thousands of patients reclaim their quality of life. At TMS of Westchester — the premier TMS center in New York — we have delivered over 20,000 TMS treatments with an 80% significant improvement rate. Call (914) 241-0758 to schedule your consultation in Mt Kisco, NY.
What Is TMS Therapy and How Does It Work?
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy is an advanced, non-invasive technique for treating mental health conditions by stimulating specific regions of the brain using precisely targeted magnetic pulses. The magnetic fields used in TMS are similar in intensity to those found in standard MRI machines, making the procedure safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.
During a TMS session, a specialized coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead. The coil delivers brief, repetitive magnetic pulses that pass painlessly through the skull and stimulate nerve cells in the areas of the brain associated with mood regulation and emotional processing. When these brain regions are underperforming — as is common in depression — TMS helps reactivate them, restoring healthier patterns of brain activity and reducing depressive symptoms.
TMS Therapy is performed in our Mt Kisco office without sedation, anesthesia, or downtime. Sessions are relatively brief — typically lasting 20 to 40 minutes — and patients can resume normal daily activities immediately afterward. No hospitalization is required.
Benefits of TMS Therapy
TMS Therapy offers a range of advantages over traditional psychiatric treatments, including:
FDA-Cleared: TMS Therapy is FDA-cleared for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in patients who have not achieved satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medications, and for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as an adjunct treatment.
Non-Invasive and Non-Drug: TMS does not involve surgery, implants, or systemic medication. This means it avoids the side effects commonly associated with antidepressants, such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, and sedation.
No Memory or Cognitive Impairment: Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS does not cause memory loss or cognitive impairment. Research actually indicates that TMS can lead to improvements in cognition and memory recall.
Precision Targeting: TMS allows for precise stimulation of specific brain regions, depending on the therapeutic goal — whether targeting the prefrontal cortex for depression or other areas for OCD and pain management.
Long-Lasting Relief: Many patients experience sustained improvement in symptoms that persists well beyond the treatment course. Maintenance sessions can be arranged if needed.
Covered by Insurance: Many major commercial insurance plans and Medicare now cover TMS Therapy for qualifying patients with depression. At TMS of Westchester, we handle insurance verification on your behalf — simply ask and we will confirm your eligibility and coverage.
Who Is a Good Candidate for TMS Therapy?
TMS Therapy is most commonly recommended for patients who have not responded adequately to antidepressant medications or who have experienced intolerable side effects. Clinical trials have demonstrated TMS’s safety and effectiveness specifically in adult patients with Major Depressive Disorder who did not receive satisfactory results from prior treatment. TMS is also FDA-cleared as an adjunct treatment for adults with OCD.
Research is ongoing into the use of TMS for anxiety disorders, PTSD, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and other conditions. TMS has also been explored for chronic pain management, stroke rehabilitation, and auditory hallucinations associated with schizophrenia. If you are curious whether TMS may be appropriate for your specific situation, our team at TMS of Westchester can help evaluate your options.
For patients seeking faster results, we also offer Accelerated TMS (SAINT protocol) and One-D TMS — our breakthrough single-day TMS protocol. For patients seeking a more personalized approach, MeRT Therapy may be the right choice.
What to Expect During TMS Treatment
A standard TMS course at TMS of Westchester typically involves sessions five days per week over approximately six weeks. Each session lasts about 20 to 40 minutes and is conducted in a comfortable, relaxed setting in our Mt Kisco office. You remain awake and alert throughout the treatment, and can read, listen to music, or simply relax. Most patients are able to drive themselves to and from appointments and resume all normal activities the same day.
The most commonly reported side effects are mild scalp discomfort or headache, typically during the first week and decreasing significantly as treatment progresses. TMS does not have the systemic side effects associated with antidepressant medications.
Ready to find out if TMS Therapy is right for you? Contact TMS of Westchester at (914) 241-0758 or visit our New Patients page to schedule your evaluation in Mt Kisco, NY.
Frequently Asked Questions — TMS Therapy
What is TMS Therapy?
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a non-invasive treatment that uses short magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with depression. During treatment, patients remain awake and alert while the magnetic field is delivered in brief pulses.
How does TMS Therapy work?
The Magventure TMS Therapy system uses short pulses of magnetic fields to stimulate brain cells in the area of the brain believed to function abnormally in patients with depression. This stimulation creates changes in brain activity that may help improve symptoms of depression.
Are there any side effects of TMS Therapy?
TMS Therapy does not typically cause medication-related side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, or fatigue. The most common side effects are headache or scalp discomfort during or shortly after treatment, which are usually mild to moderate and often decrease after the first week.
Is TMS Therapy covered by insurance?
Most private insurance providers, as well as Medicare and TRICARE, cover TMS Therapy for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Insurance coverage for OCD is also becoming more common. Our team can help verify your benefits and coverage before treatment begins.
Is TMS Therapy like electroconvulsive therapy?
No. TMS Therapy and electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, are very different. TMS does not require sedation or anesthesia, does not intentionally cause a seizure, and patients can usually drive themselves to and from treatment. TMS has also been shown not to have negative effects on memory or concentration.
What is a typical course of treatment with TMS Therapy?
A typical course of TMS Therapy involves treatment 5 days per week for approximately 4–6 weeks. Sessions usually last about 19–37 minutes, depending on the protocol recommended by the doctor. Any additional treatments are based on clinical judgment.
Can TMS Therapy cause memory loss?
No. TMS Therapy has been evaluated for its effects on memory, and clinical trials have demonstrated that it does not result in negative effects on memory or concentration.
Can I take antidepressants while receiving TMS Therapy?
Yes. TMS Therapy has been safely administered both with and without antidepressant medications. Your treatment provider will review your current medications and help determine the best approach for your care.