September 10th, 2025
My name is Carly, and I’m the Lead TMS Coordinator here at Clarity Clinic. For over two years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with patients and seeing firsthand the impact TMS can have on their lives. I’d like to share some key insights to help guide you as you begin your search for TMS treatment—so you can find a TMS clinic that fits your needs.
TMS for depression is a powerful and innovative option in mental health care, especially for individuals who haven’t found lasting relief through more traditional depression treatment methods. Picking the right TMS clinic can make a meaningful difference in your treatment experience, that’s why I'm excited to share my insider tips to help you find the right TMS treatment in Chicago for your needs. Let’s get started!
A quick refresher, TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a series of magnetic pulses that are targeted towards particular parts of your brain to help reduce symptoms of depression. It is for people who have tried the ‘standard’ route of treatment, including medication and talk therapy for depression, but haven’t found the relief they are looking for. Head to our blog "What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy?" to dive deeper.
Currently, TMS is FDA approved and insurance covered for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), though more conditions are currently being trialed.
The protocol for MDD is as follows:
● 36 treatment sessions over 8-9 weeks in person
● 45 minute initial session
● 25 minute subsequent sessions
Each session is about 25 minutes long, excluding the initial session, which is about 45 minutes long due to the motor threshold determination and mapping. The motor threshold determination and mapping is how the TMS coordinator will find the best treatment intensity and location for your brain, much like how everyone has a different dosage of medication that will work for them!
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain (located on the outside of the brain), which is implicated in executive function and reward pathways. With this stimulation location, depressive symptoms can be reduced or eradicated, making daily life easier!
The protocol for OCD is slightly shorter than the protocol for MDD. It is 29 sessions conducted over the course of 6 weeks, with similar session duration to the MDD protocol. A motor threshold determination and mapping procedure are still conducted, but the part of the brain that is targeted is different in OCD compared to depression.
In OCD, the anterior cingulate cortex (located on the inside of the brain) is targeted, which has been found to be overactive in people struggling with OCD. With TMS, symptoms of OCD can be reduced, and become much more manageable day-to-day!
Each clinic could offer TMS treatment using a variety of machines, and each machine has reasons why it should be considered, and they each have drawbacks. The three main machines used in clinics are Brainsway, MagVenture, and Neurostar. MagVenture and Neurostar are both repetitive TMS (rTMS), and Brainsway is deep TMS (dTMS).
Brainsway is different from MagVenture and Neurostar in many ways. Primarily, the type of coil used is different. While MagVenture and Neurostar use a figure 8 coil, Brainsway uses an H coil.
This coil is known to have a more widespread and deeper target area across the brain, and looks like a helmet relative to the butterfly coil of MagVenture and Neurostar. However, due to the wider and deeper target area, the side effects can be a bit more intense when undergoing treatment.
There is not a significant difference in the efficacy rates between MagVenture, Neurostar, and Brainsway, but the experience between each machine can vastly differ. Between the two rTMS machines, there are a few differences to consider.
Some patients have reported more discomfort at the stimulation site in Neurostar relative to MagVenture. However, even though the two machines have different parameters for their protocols, there isn’t necessarily a clinically significant difference in the outcomes, or improvement rates.
It is essential to find a clinic that works with your schedule in terms of distance and appointment availability, since TMS treatment is conducted each day for two months. It is also helpful to go to a TMS clinic near you where they can also provide additional treatments such as medication management or talk therapy in the same office.
A continuity of treatments is very important during TMS therapy and having all your treatments in one place ensures better coordination and stronger support.
While it is strongly recommended, it is not necessary to go to the same clinic for all your treatments, and if you have found a provider that you are comfortable with outside of the clinic where you are going for TMS, then it is best to stay with your original provider.
However, I will note that having a psychiatrist manage your medication within the same clinic as you are conducting TMS treatment makes it much easier to ensure you are getting the best care possible!
Don’t hold back! It is better to inform your TMS coordinator or provider about your complete psychiatric and medical history. We are on your team/side! We want to find something that works for you, which is why we do thorough screenings before starting TMS treatment. Ask about appointment availability, potential side effects, contraindications, and anything else that comes to mind! There are no bad questions.
In particular, it is essential to bring up any health conditions you may have, particularly neurological conditions. Since TMS therapy for depression is targeted at your brain, certain conditions can be triggered if the TMS team is not aware of them.
Additionally, things like cochlear implants or aneurysm stents could be something that would prevent someone from getting treatment, with the risk of the magnetic pulse in TMS affecting the metal in those devices. Being candid with your TMS team is essential to receiving the best possible care.
Most insurances will cover TMS, and it is dependent on if your provider is in-network with your insurance. The good news is, a prior authorization is required for almost all insurance plans when covering TMS therapy, so your TMS team will be in contact with your insurance to confirm costs and coverage prior to starting treatment.
Clarity Clinic accepts the following insurances for TMS treatment:
● Aetna
● Cigna
● Medicare
Many clinics can provide an estimate on costs prior to starting TMS treatment by confirming benefits with your insurance company. Remember, all costs provided prior to starting treatment are estimates, and have the ability to change based on your insurance’s coverage policies.
Since TMS therapy is a daily treatment for about 8 weeks, it is essential to confirm that your clinic is located somewhere you can easily travel to each day. Additionally, ensure your TMS clinic has hours and appointment availability that work for your schedule!
While TMS doesn’t need to be at the same time every day, it is important to ensure you can get to the office as frequently as possible to reduce missed sessions, and to optimize the depression relief you can receive from treatment.
If you require additional accommodations, please ensure to discuss with your TMS coordinator to confirm that the clinic and TMS treatment room will be accessible to you! Clarity Clinic offers TMS between 8AM and 7:30PM every weekday in our Loop and Arlington Heights clinics, ensuring that we can flex to your schedule.
Do you feel like you have tried many different depression treatments for your mental health with little to no relief? Have the side effects of your psychiatric medications taken a toll on you? It might be time to consider TMS therapy for depression!
Your TMS coordinator will run through contraindications to ensure that there is nothing that would prevent you from getting TMS, and confirm that TMS treatment is a safe next step in your mental health journey.
Come get the best TMS therapy in Chicago at Clarity Clinic! If you are in Chicago and looking for TMS near you, our centrally located Loop TMS Clinic could be a great fit. We also have a TMS clinic located in Arlington Heights for added flexibility.
Make sure to schedule a consultation with one of our mental health providers to see if you are a good candidate for TMS therapy.
Schedule a Free ConsultationRelated Readings:
- What To Expect During TMS Therapy
- Where to Get TMS Therapy in Chicago
- Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Right for Me?
- Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Safe?
What is TMS in the clinic?
TMS in the clinic is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain linked to mood regulation. In the clinic, patients sit comfortably in a chair while a TMS device delivers these pulses. Sessions are done daily, typically lasting 20–40 minutes, over the course of several weeks.
What type of doctor does TMS therapy?
TMS therapy is prescribed and overseen by a psychiatrist. At the clinic, TMS is usually administered by trained TMS technicians under the supervision of a psychiatrist or other qualified mental health provider who monitors your progress throughout treatment.
Will insurance pay for TMS therapy?
Yes—most major insurance providers cover TMS therapy when certain medical criteria are met. Typically, coverage is approved for individuals diagnosed with depression who have not found relief from antidepressant medications or traditional talk therapy. Our team can help verify your benefits and guide you through the approval process.
Does TMS therapy actually work?
Yes. TMS therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder and has been shown in research and real-world practice to be effective. Many patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms, and some achieve full remission. Results vary, but TMS is considered a safe, evidence-based option for individuals who haven’t found relief with other treatments.
Head to our blog "Is TMS Worth Trying?" to learn more.
Blog by: Carly Jennings - Lead TMS Coordinator - Loop
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