Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
The treatment for depression you may never have heard of
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS or rTMS) has been around for a while. I remember first hearing about it at the state psychological convention probably 15 years ago. A vendor was sitting outside the educational sessions we were all attending and trying to get providers to sign on to provide the service. I didn’t know much about it then and I didn’t sign up because it didn’t really fit my clinic, but it has gained some traction yet remains a little-known intervention by most clients.
What It Is
TMS (rTMA is just a notation that it is repeated) is essentially a noninvasive treatment session in which a small device containing an electromagnetic coil inside is placed against the skull near the forehead and delivers a pulse that stimulates nerve cells. Don’t cringe, it’s painless. While the mechanism as to why this works seems still somewhat up in the air, there is data that supports it’s use — especially for clients who have not responded to traditional therapies (medication and/or psychotherapy (preferably interpersonal or CBT since these are empirically supported as effective for depression)).
TMS is different that what you might be picturing as ECT which has been around for decades (it’s still being used…
