Accelerated TMS for Depression

FDA-cleared theta-burst stimulation. 40 sessions in 4 days. For Major Depressive Disorder, including treatment-resistant cases.

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What It Treats

TMS is FDA-cleared for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), particularly when antidepressant medications have not produced adequate response. Our accelerated protocol applies that same FDA-cleared theta-burst technology over a 4-day schedule, modeled after research protocols including Stanford's SAINT trial.

The Protocol

Day 0 — Screening & Setup: Psychiatric evaluation and motor threshold mapping to personalize stimulation intensity
Days 1–4 — Treatment: Approximately 10 short theta-burst sessions per day with 50-minute spacing between sessions
Week 1 Follow-Up: Symptom check-in and optional qEEG re-scan to measure neural changes
Month 1 Follow-Up: Final evaluation and optional qEEG re-scan to track sustained progress

When to Expect Results

Many patients notice subtle improvements by Day 2 or Day 3 — better sleep, slight lift in mood. By Day 4, a majority report meaningful symptom reduction. Clinical trials of accelerated protocols (e.g., Stanford SAINT) have reported high remission rates in severe depression. Individual results vary.

Important: Outcomes from clinical trials are not a guarantee for any individual. Eligibility and likelihood of benefit are determined after a thorough psychiatric evaluation. Patients with implanted metal devices, seizure disorders, or other contraindications may not be eligible.

Pricing

$3,500

40 sessions over 4 days • all-inclusive • cash-pay

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The Science Behind Accelerated TMS for Depression

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was first FDA-cleared for Major Depressive Disorder in 2008. Since then, research has refined both the targeting (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or DLPFC) and the stimulation pattern (intermittent theta-burst stimulation, or iTBS), making accelerated, multi-session-per-day protocols feasible.

Standard rTMS efficacy

Antidepressant effect across multiple meta-analyses

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of high-frequency rTMS to the left DLPFC have consistently shown clinically meaningful reductions in depression severity compared with sham stimulation, with response rates roughly 2–3 times higher than sham across pooled trials.¹

Theta-burst stimulation (iTBS)

iTBS is non-inferior to standard 10 Hz rTMS

The THREE-D randomized non-inferiority trial (n=414) demonstrated that a 3-minute iTBS protocol produced antidepressant effects comparable to a 37.5-minute standard 10 Hz session over a 4–6 week course — the basis for delivering many sessions in a compressed window.²

Accelerated & high-dose protocols

Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT/SAINT)

A double-blind sham-controlled trial of an accelerated, neuroimaging-guided iTBS protocol (10 sessions/day for 5 days, totaling 50 sessions) reported high remission rates in treatment-resistant depression, with most active-treatment participants meeting remission criteria within 4 weeks.³ Our 4-day, 40-session protocol is modeled on this accelerated paradigm — with the important caveat that real-world results vary and individual outcomes are not guaranteed.

Why qEEG matters

Objective biomarkers of treatment response

Quantitative EEG (qEEG) features — including frontal alpha asymmetry and theta connectivity changes — have been studied as predictors and indicators of antidepressant response to rTMS.⁴ Our optional qEEG add-on captures three time points (baseline, 1 week, 1 month) so you have an objective record alongside subjective symptom tracking.

References

Berlim MT, van den Eynde F, Tovar-Perdomo S, Daskalakis ZJ. Response, remission and drop-out rates following high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled trials. Psychological Medicine. 2014;44(2):225-39. PubMed: 23507264
Blumberger DM, Vila-Rodriguez F, Thorpe KE, et al. Effectiveness of theta burst versus high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with depression (THREE-D): a randomised non-inferiority trial. The Lancet. 2018;391(10131):1683-1692. PubMed: 29726344
Cole EJ, Phillips AL, Bentzley BS, et al. Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT): a double-blind randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2022;179(2):132-141. PubMed: 34711062
Widge AS, Bilge MT, Montana R, et al. Electroencephalographic biomarkers for treatment response prediction in major depressive illness: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2019;176(1):44-56. PubMed: 30343593

References are provided for educational purposes. Citation does not constitute endorsement by the cited authors. Individual treatment outcomes may differ from published trial results. Always consult a board-certified psychiatrist before pursuing any treatment.

Depression FAQ

Is TMS for depression FDA-cleared?

Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared for Major Depressive Disorder. Our accelerated protocol uses the same FDA-cleared theta-burst technology, delivered on an intensive schedule modeled after research protocols like Stanford's SAINT.

How does this compare to standard TMS?

Standard TMS requires daily visits over six weeks. Our accelerated protocol delivers all 40 sessions in 4 days, with about 10 short sessions per day. The total dose of stimulation is comparable.

Who is a candidate?

Adults with depression, especially treatment-resistant depression where medications have not produced adequate response. Candidacy is determined after a screening with a board-certified psychiatrist. Patients with implanted metal devices or seizure disorders may not be eligible.

Where is treatment delivered?

At either of our two Texas clinics: San Antonio (7800 I-10 Suite 624) or Houston (6105 Beverly Hill Suite 101). You choose your preferred location during booking.

Ready to Begin?

Start with a free 10-minute screening. A board-certified psychiatrist will determine if accelerated TMS is right for you.