TMS Therapy Explained — How Magnetic Pulses Help Heal the Brain

By Brian Mears, DNAP, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC 

If you or someone you love is struggling with depression or OCD — and medications haven’t worked — it’s easy to feel discouraged or out of options.

But there is another way.

 

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and emotional control. And at Alleviant, we offer an enhanced, data-guided approach called PrTMS®, built on your brain’s unique electrical activity.

Let’s break it down.

What Is TMS?

TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It works by delivering gentle magnetic pulses to targeted regions of the brain that are underactive in certain mental health conditions — particularly within the prefrontal cortex, which plays a key role in:

  • Mood regulation

  • Motivation

  • Focus and attention

  • Emotional control

By stimulating these areas, TMS can help restore healthier brain activity.

Is TMS Safe?

Yes. TMS is:

  • FDA-cleared for depression and OCD

  • Non-invasive (no surgery, anesthesia, or implants)

  • Medication-free (no drug side effects)

  • Well-tolerated (most people report only mild scalp sensitivity)

You’re awake throughout treatment — able to read, pray, or listen to music. Sessions typically last 20–30 minutes, and there’s no downtime.

What Makes Alleviant’s Approach Different?

We offer two powerful TMS options — both based on clinical research, but with different levels of personalization.

Standard FDA-Cleared TMS

This option follows all established guidelines for treating major depressive disorder, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is widely covered by insurance and is an excellent choice for many patients.

PrTMS® – Personalized TMS Guided by EEG

This advanced method was pioneered by Dr. Kevin Murphy and PeakLogic and is offered at select clinics like Alleviant. PrTMS® stands for personalized repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and is guided by a spectral EEG (sEEG) — a fast, non-invasive brain scan that maps your brain’s electrical activity.

Using your sEEG data, we personalize:

  • Frequency of stimulation

  • Intensity of the pulses

  • Location of brain targets

  • Treatment schedule and duration

This allows us to tailor therapy to your unique brain patterns and clinical presentation.

Note: While PrTMS® has shown promise in addressing a range of symptoms, current research primarily supports its use for depression and OCD. Outcomes may vary.

Conditions Where PrTMS® Has Shown Effectiveness:

  • Major depressive disorder

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • PTSD symptoms

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Focus and cognitive fatigue

  • Stress-related symptoms

  • Autism spectrum-related challenges (individual responses vary)

This personalized approach may also support brain performance and wellness goals, but claims should be viewed conservatively and evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Who Is a Good Candidate for TMS?

TMS may be a strong option for people who:

  • Have not found relief through medication

  • Are seeking a non-pharmaceutical, brain-based approach

  • Have been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression or OCD

  • Want to avoid drug side effects

  • Are interested in brain performance or wellness support

Every patient receives a full evaluation to determine which treatment path is best.

Our Commitment to Brain-Based Psychiatry

At Alleviant, we believe the brain deserves the same level of diagnostic clarity as the rest of the body. That’s why we use tools like spectral EEG and offer PrTMS® as part of our comprehensive psychiatric care.

We also believe in whole-brain healing — through personalized treatment plans that may include:

  • Medication management

  • Psychotherapy

  • Health coaching

  • Nutritional support

  • Lifestyle optimization

This integrated philosophy is what we call NeuroSync™ — a framework designed to resynchronize and optimize brain function for each individual.

You Don’t Have to Stay Stuck

If traditional medications haven’t helped — or if you’re ready for a more personalized, data-driven approach — TMS may be the next step.

Contact us today to learn whether PrTMS® is right for you. We’re here to help you restore clarity, resilience, and hope.

 

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