TMS Therapy

Transforming Mental Health with TMS Therapy

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy at Cambridge Biotherapies™ offers a groundbreaking approach to treating mental health conditions. This non-invasive treatment provides a promising alternative for those where traditional methods have been less effective.

A Record of Excellence and Innovation

With a track record of helping over 1,000 patients and a 70% success rate, our TMS Therapy has proven to be a powerful tool in battling conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD.

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Personalized Treatment for Profound Change

Our TMS Therapy, including the innovative Theta Burst protocol, is tailored to meet each individual’s needs, ensuring a safe and effective treatment journey.

Begin Your Path to Recovery

Discover how TMS Therapy can make a difference in your life. Schedule a consultation with us to explore this advanced treatment option, and take a significant step towards reclaiming your well-being.

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Real Stories of Recovery

Read about the personal experiences of our patients who have found new hope and recovery through TMS Therapy at Cambridge Biotherapies™.
“What can I say…this place changed my life. Their dedicated & compassionate staff assisted me in breaking free from my depression that I’ve been dealing with my whole life. They follow the up-to-date science and work one-on-one with you to adapt & customize your treatment plan. I did both TMS & Ketamine and was responsive to both, but everyone is different. I would highly recommend anyone who has struggled with depression for a long time to schedule an initial appointment, this might just be the breakthrough you need when you’ve already tried everything else.”

“After trying everything else for twenty years, and finding nothing worked, I found Cambridge Biotherapies. I have done both TMS and Ketamine infusion with very good results. There is hope here and it does get better. So if you are depressed or having PTSD, or both…you should try this.

Even if you tried everything else; this is different, and unlike other means, works quickly.”

Meet Our Team of Experts

Learn more about the dedicated professionals behind our TMS Therapy treatments. Our team includes experienced psychiatrists and TMS specialists committed to your mental health journey.

Daniel A. Brenner, M.D.

Medical Director, CEO

Daniel T. Thompson

TMS Manager

Dana Colley

TMS Technician

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at Cambridge Biotherapies™

TMS presents a powerful treatment option for patients who have not benefited from one or more antidepressant trials. For those seeking a non-invasive or non-medication treatment option, TMS offers an FDA-cleared approach that is safe and essentially free of side effects and twice as effective as traditional antidepressants for symptoms of depression and anxiety.
At Cambridge Biotherapies™, we provide empirically-validated treatments using TMS for patients suffering from major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa. Because of the flexibility of our equipment and our dedication to using current research to fine-tune our protocols continually, we can also use TMS to successfully treat bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), seasonal affective disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, our repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocols are designed to maximize efficacy and provide relief across various mental health conditions.

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Is TMS Effective?

In numerous studies, TMS is more effective than medication for the treatment of depression in patients who have not responded to one or more antidepressants. Additionally, ongoing research demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of TMS in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression during and following pregnancy, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.

Remission rates are variable, but a course of TMS therapy for depression can keep patients symptom-free for a year or more.

How Does TMS Work?

TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate or inhibit specific areas of the brain where symptoms of depression and anxiety originate. Some pulses activate particular brain areas. For example, activating pulses would be used to treat patients who feel lethargy and hopelessness. Protocols designed to quiet down overactive regions might apply to patients who suffer from anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many people achieve remission from depression and anxiety in weeks with multiple treatments.

Theta Burst

In addition to standard TMS, offered by other treatment centers and hospitals in the Boston area, we offer a new, FDA-approved protocol called Theta Burst. While standard TMS requires 20 minutes per treatment, Theta Burst requires only 1 to 3 minutes per treatment. Furthermore, ongoing research demonstrates that Theta Burst may be even more effective than standard TMS protocols.

What to Expect During a TMS Session

During a treatment session, you will be seated in a comfortable chair, and a small cotton cap will be placed on your head. The TMS therapist will then conduct a “mapping” session to determine the ideal areas for treatment. During this mapping session, you will feel a tapping sensation on your scalp and may notice that your hands or fingers move slightly when the correct treatment area is located.

Once we identify the ideal treatment area, the TMS therapist will mark this spot on the cap, and you will wear that cap during each subsequent treatment session. During treatment, the coil will be placed gently against your head. You will hear a clicking sound and feel a gentle tapping on your head. Some people may notice that each pulse causes their eye muscles to twitch, but these sensations become predictable and easy to tolerate. Each session takes approximately 20 minutes, and you will remain awake and alert. TMS does not immediately affect your mood or cognition, so you can return to normal activities the same day. For the greatest efficacy, at Cambridge Biotherapies, we follow the standard rTMS protocol of 36 treatments over 10 weeks. This includes 5 sessions per week for the first 6 weeks, followed by a gradual taper during the final 4 weeks.

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Side Effects of TMS

Because it uses magnetic pulses, TMS is largely free of side effects, much like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to this low-risk profile, TMS is an excellent treatment choice for patients who cannot tolerate the risks or side effects of antidepressants or other biological treatments, such as ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).

Unlike some medications, TMS has no adverse effects on alertness or cognitive functioning. There is evidence that TMS enhances certain aspects of cognitive functioning, including short-term memory.

The most common side effect of treatment is discomfort at or near the treatment site. Other reported side effects have included eye, tooth, and facial pain, muscle twitch, and skin discomfort. There is a rare risk of seizure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TMS Therapy?
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) Therapy is a non-invasive treatment for mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain that are underactive in people experiencing these conditions. TMS Therapy is FDA-approved and is particularly beneficial for patients who have not found relief with traditional antidepressant medications.
Does TMS Therapy Work?
Yes, TMS Therapy has been shown to be effective in numerous clinical studies. It is particularly beneficial for patients who have not responded to one or more antidepressant trials. Studies indicate that TMS Therapy can achieve remission rates higher than those of medication alone. It is effective in treating various conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Long Does TMS Therapy Last?
A standard course of TMS Therapy typically consists of daily sessions (5 days per week) over a period of 3 to 6 weeks. Each session lasts about 20 minutes. The effects of TMS Therapy can last for several months to over a year. Some patients may require maintenance sessions to sustain the benefits.
How Much Does TMS Therapy Cost?
The cost of TMS Therapy can vary depending on the number of sessions required and the specific treatment protocol. On average, a full course of TMS Therapy can range from $0 (or just the cost of co-pays in the case of full coverage from insurance) to around $12,000. It is important to consult with our team to get a personalized cost estimate based on your treatment needs.

Research and Innovation

At Cambridge Biotherapies™, we stay at the leading edge of mental health treatment by constantly reviewing and incorporating the latest research. Our TMS Therapy is backed by many scientific studies showing its effectiveness for conditions like major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We are committed to using this research to provide the best possible care for our patients.

Published clinical research has shown that accelerated theta-burst stimulation protocols can produce remission in a meaningful percentage of patients with treatment-resistant depression. Individual results vary. We also use the most advanced TMS technologies, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and the Theta Burst protocol, which offers shorter treatment times.

This underscores the potential of advanced TMS techniques. We also use the most advanced TMS technologies, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and the Theta Burst protocol, which offers shorter treatment times. To help you understand the science behind our treatments, we provide access to a research library with articles and studies about TMS Therapy. By staying informed about the latest advancements, we ensure that our patients receive the most effective and up-to-date treatments available.

TMS Research