If depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms haven't improved enough with treatment, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be another option. TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic stimulation to target specific areas of the brain. Treatment is available at our Chicago Loop and Arlington Heights clinics.
For many people, depression or OCD symptoms continue despite treatment. TMS, or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, offers another approach by using magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain. The area targeted depends on whether TMS is being used to treat depression or OCD.
Treatment is performed while you're awake in our Chicago Loop or Arlington Heights clinics. There are no needles or anesthesia, and no recovery time is needed, so most people return to work, school, or their normal routine immediately afterward.
TMS may be a treatment option for adults with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
The evaluation process and treatment protocol differ by diagnosis.
Not sure if TMS may be right for you? Our TMS Coordinator can answer your questions during a free educational call and explain the evaluation process.
If you're exploring TMS therapy in Chicago or the northwest suburbs, you're not alone.
Many people are surprised by how simple the treatment process is once they see it firsthand.
Watch our short videos to see what happens during a TMS consultation, brain mapping appointment, and treatment session.
What is TMS?
What is TMS Mapping?
Inside a TMS Treatment Session
TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions involved in the symptoms being treated. The treatment target and protocol differ for depression and OCD. Over a series of sessions, repeated stimulation is intended to influence the brain networks associated with those symptoms.
TMS is an established treatment option for adults with treatment-resistant depression and is also FDA-cleared as an adjunct treatment for OCD. Research has shown that some patients experience meaningful improvement in symptoms, although response varies from person to person and by diagnosis.
Your clinical team will talk with you about what the research shows for your condition, what results may be realistic, and how your progress will be monitored throughout treatment.
Speak with our TMS Coordinator to learn about the treatment, ask questions, and understand what the next steps may look like.
If TMS appears to be a good fit, you'll meet with one of our providers to confirm eligibility and develop a treatment plan.
Your first treatment includes personalized treatment planning and brain mapping to determine the treatment location and stimulation settings.
You'll sit comfortably in a treatment chair while the magnetic pulses are delivered. You remain awake throughout treatment and can return to your normal activities afterward.
Our team monitors your progress throughout treatment and adjusts your care as needed. The number and schedule of sessions depend on whether you are receiving TMS for depression or OCD.
If you are receiving TMS for OCD: Before each treatment, your TMS Coordinator will guide you through a brief, individualized symptom activation exercise. This is a normal part of the OCD treatment protocol and helps prepare you for the session.
Both treatments use TMS technology, but the treatment plan differs by diagnosis.
TMS is a non-invasive treatment that does not require anesthesia or downtime. You remain awake throughout treatment and can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.
Benefits include:
Our dedicated TMS team focuses on patient education, comfort, and personalized care throughout treatment. From your initial educational call through your final treatment session, you’ll typically work with the same TMS Coordinator, ensuring consistent support and a personalized experience.
If your needs change, your care doesn't have to. Psychiatry, medication management, therapy, and higher levels of care like PHP and IOP are all available within Clarity Clinic, making it easier to coordinate your treatment every step of the way.
You'll receive regular check-ins throughout treatment to monitor your progress and answer questions along the way. At every session, your TMS Coordinator will assess how you're doing, while routine symptom assessments help us track your progress and keep your care team informed so your treatment can be adjusted if needed.
Receive TMS treatment at our Chicago Loop and Arlington Heights clinics:
Our goal is to make every step of your TMS journey as comfortable, coordinated, and personalized as possible, so you can focus on what matters most: your progress.
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Medicare, however, coverage for TMS varies by insurance plan. Coverage for TMS for OCD in particular may differ by plan.
Our team can verify your benefits and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
Most patients describe the sensation as a light, rhythmic tapping on the scalp. Some people experience mild tenderness or sensitivity during the first few treatments, but this usually improves over time. Your TMS team can also make adjustments throughout treatment to help keep you as comfortable as possible.
Yes. You remain awake and alert during every treatment.
Yes. There is no recovery period, so most patients drive themselves home and return to work or other daily activities immediately afterward.
Appointment length depends on the treatment protocol. Depression sessions are typically about 20 minutes. For OCD, plan for about 60 minutes for the first appointment and approximately 30 minutes for follow-up appointments.
The number of sessions depends on your diagnosis and treatment plan. The depression protocol includes 36 sessions. OCD treatment typically consists of 29 sessions over six weeks.
Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as an adjunct treatment, meaning it is designed to be used alongside medication and/or behavioral therapy.
While both treatments use TMS technology, OCD treatment targets a different area of the brain and includes a brief symptom activation exercise before each session. Your TMS team will explain the process before treatment begins.
Depression and OCD use different TMS protocols and are not treated concurrently at Clarity Clinic. If you have both conditions, your TMS psychiatrist will evaluate your symptoms and treatment history and recommend the appropriate treatment approach.
OCD treatment typically consists of 29 sessions over six weeks. Your first appointment lasts about 60 minutes for treatment planning and brain mapping. Follow-up appointments are approximately 30 minutes.
TMS for depression is a 36-session protocol. The first 30 sessions occur daily, Monday through Friday, and the final 6 sessions are spread out over the following weeks as part of the tapering process. We offer early morning and evening appointments to help accommodate work and school schedules.
The area treated depends on your diagnosis. For depression, TMS targets the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area involved in mood regulation. For OCD, it targets the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, which is involved in obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Your TMS psychiatrist will determine the appropriate treatment protocol during your evaluation.
TMS for OCD is intended to be used alongside your existing treatment plan, which may include medication and/or behavioral therapy such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). Your provider will discuss the best approach for your situation.
Before treatment begins, your TMS Coordinator will briefly guide you through thoughts or situations related to your OCD symptoms. This symptom activation is a standard part of the OCD treatment protocol and helps prepare you for the session.
Coverage varies by insurance plan and treatment indication. Our team can verify your specific benefits and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.
Yes. Self-pay options are available for patients who do not qualify for insurance coverage or choose to pay out of pocket. Pricing varies based on your individual treatment plan, and our team will review costs with you before treatment begins.
Common side effects reported by our clinical team include headache and nausea. Some patients receiving TMS for OCD may notice a temporary worsening of OCD symptoms. Let your treating provider know about any side effects or symptom changes during treatment.
Every person's response to TMS is different. Some patients experience significant improvement that lasts for months or longer, while others may benefit from additional treatment over time.
After completing your treatment course, your care team will review your progress and discuss any recommended follow-up care. This may include continuing therapy, medication management, or other mental health services based on your individual needs.
Because Clarity Clinic offers therapy, psychiatry, and other behavioral health services, we can continue supporting you even after your TMS treatment is complete.
Speak with our TMS Coordinator to learn more about TMS for depression or OCD, ask questions, and understand what the next steps may look like.
