TMS Therapy
If depression has held you back for too long, there’s hope beyond medication. TMS therapy is a safe, non-drug treatment that restores pathways in the brain and reawakens your sense of self.
Real Relief, Backed by Science
Break the Cycle of Depression
Offered in most Active Path clinics, TMS therapy is our flagship treatment that we’re most known for. TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for adults struggling with depression, even after trying medications. TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain that regulate mood. It’s safe, effective, and can often be life-changing when nothing else has worked.
What TMS Can Treat
When You’re Ready, We’re Right Here
Whether you’ve been diagnosed or not, we help you understand what you’re feeling, and what to do next.
Benefits of TMS Therapy
Non-invasive and well tolerated (no sedation, no downtime)
No daily pills or systemic side effects
Covered by most major insurance providers
Improves mood, energy, motivation, and focus
Completed in-office, often in under 20 minutes per session
Target Depression at the Source
Who Should Consider TMS?
- Designed for adults with major depressive disorder who haven’t found success with antidepressants, or who can’t tolerate the side effects.
- For adolescents age 15 or older.
- Also a good fit for those seeking a non-medication approach or an additional layer of support in their treatment.
- If depression has made life feel flat, hopeless, or exhausting, TMS may be the turning point you’ve been searching for.
"I was skeptical that TMS would help me significantly because I’d heard so little about it (actually, nothing) in the news over the years, but it worked. And Emma was an incredibly caring (and fun) tech for my many treatment sessions. My hope is that I won’t need TMS again, but I’ll be heading back to Active Path if I do."
how it works
Your Path Forward Starts Here
Start with a free phone consultation
Talk with an intake coordinator who gathers your information and schedules you to meet with one of our providers.
Get a personalized care plan
Our providers tailor your treatment plan using real data, proven treatment methods, and your own lived experience.
Begin your path forward
You’ll move forward with services that meet your needs, and a team who’s with you every step of the way.
All Locations
01
Active Path in Clackamas offers expert mental health care in Oregon including therapy, psychiatry, TMS, and SPRAVATO®, all located near Clackamas Town Center.
02
Active Path in NW Portland offers compassionate mental health care including talk therapy, psychiatry, TMS, and SPRAVATO® at Montgomery Park.
03
Active Path in Salem provides therapy, psychiatry, TMS, and SPRAVATO® services, all from our south Salem clinic for compassionate mental health care that’s close to home.
04
Active Path in Tigard offers talk therapy, psychiatry, TMS, and SPRAVATO® near I‑5 for convenient, compassionate mental health care in Tigard, Oregon.
05
Active Path Vancouver & Camas provides expert mental health services in Washington including therapy, psychiatry, TMS, and SPRAVATO® located at the Columbia Tech Center.
frequently Asked Questions
FAQs About TMS Therapy
01 What is TMS Therapy?
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, a non-invasive treatment using magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain responsible for mood, anxiety, obsessions, etc. The simplest way to think about how TMS works is by strengthening brain cells and optimizing neural pathways through rapid daily stimulation we can achieve optimal brain performance. In some ways this process is like going to the gym to achieve physical fitness for your heart and muscles – but this workout is for your brain.
02 Is TMS covered by insurance?
Yes, most major insurance providers, including Medicare, cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression. We’ll help verify your coverage.
03 Does TMS Therapy hurt?
No. We adjust your settings at the start to “ease” you into it. Most patients describe a tapping sensation on the scalp during treatment. There’s no anesthesia or recovery time required. Most patients acclimate to the sensation within a few sessions.
04 How long does treatment take?
Each TMS session lasts between about 3 and 20 minutes depending on the protocol used. A series of TMS includes 30-36 sessions, completed over the course of 6–8 weeks.
05 Are there side effects?
TMS has minimal side effects. Some patients experience mild scalp discomfort or headache, which typically fades after a few sessions.
06 Is TMS safe?
07 How soon does TMS improve symptoms? How soon will I feel better?
08 Is TMS the same as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)?
No, these treatments work on very different principles. The main difference is that ECT causes a generalized seizure and this is repeated usually on alternating days for several weeks. While ECT is evidence-based and very effective in treating depression, it is also associated with significant side effects including memory loss (which is usually short-term but can be longer-lasting). ECT also requires the patient to be under anesthesia which carries its own risks. Because of the confusion that usually occurs after ECT, patients undergoing ECT must have someone to care for them after their treatment. TMS patients can receive their treatment and return to their usual activities, including driving, immediately after each treatment.
09 I have heard about the SAINT protocol on the news or the use of multiple TMS treatments per day. Is that something you offer?
The SAINT protocol requires the use of specialized imaging that increases the cost of the procedure (which is not typically covered by insurance) and requires 10 treatments per day. We are always looking to provide our patients with the most updated treatment protocols and we may consider adding the SAINT protocol in the future if it becomes more affordable and logistically feasible for our patients.
10 What are the FDA cleared conditions?
- MDD
- Anxious Depression
- OCD
11 What Off-Label uses/indications of TMS do you offer?
- Preservation TMS (Add-On Extension of TMS series)
- Neuropathic pain
- Tinnitus
- Anxiety (GAD)
- PTSD
- Migraines
- Poststroke Cognitive Impairment
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