Pacific Mind Health provides transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as part of our comprehensive outpatient psychiatry services for individuals ages 12 and older.
TMS is available at our Long Beach location and at our additional offices throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties, offering in-person care in local communities.
TMS is a noninvasive psychiatric treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate targeted areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and cognitive functioning. It is commonly considered for individuals who have not experienced sufficient improvement with traditional approaches such as medication or psychotherapy.
At Pacific Mind Health, TMS is not offered as a standalone service. It is integrated into a broader psychiatric treatment plan that may include medication management, supportive therapy, and diagnostic evaluation. This coordinated approach reflects our commitment to personalized, whole-person care and continuity across treatment modalities.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a form of brain stimulation that delivers focused magnetic pulses through a coil placed on the scalp. These pulses generate electrical activity in specific brain regions without requiring surgery, anesthesia, or systemic medication exposure.
The most widely used form is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). rTMS typically targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area associated with mood regulation and executive functioning. TMS was developed in the 1980s and received FDA approval for major depressive disorder in 2008 and for obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2018.
Treatment is administered while patients are awake and seated comfortably. Most individuals can return to normal activities immediately after each session. Improvement often occurs gradually over several weeks as treatment progresses.
The first TMS appointment includes a detailed evaluation and a mapping process. This allows clinicians to determine the appropriate placement of the magnetic coil and identify the minimum stimulation level needed for effective treatment.
Watch “What is TMS?”
TMS offers hope. Start your TMS journey today with a free info session.
At Pacific Mind Health, TMS is introduced within the context of ongoing psychiatric care rather than as an isolated intervention. Patients receiving TMS typically continue working with a psychiatric provider who monitors symptoms, treatment response, and overall progress.
This model supports long-term stability by allowing adjustments to treatment plans as needed. In some cases, follow-up care may include medication management, psychotherapy, or maintenance TMS sessions to help sustain benefits over time.
Patients often value the continuity of care that comes from receiving interventional treatment within a single psychiatric practice, particularly when symptoms require ongoing monitoring or coordination between providers.
Pacific Mind Health offers several evidence-based TMS treatments to accommodate different clinical needs and schedules.
Standard repetitive TMS involves daily sessions, typically 5 days per week, over a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Each session usually lasts about 20 minutes. This approach is well-established and widely used in the treatment of depression and OCD.
Theta burst stimulation is an advanced form of TMS therapy that delivers magnetic pulses in a pattern that mimics natural brain rhythms. Sessions last approximately three minutes while maintaining comparable clinical effectiveness. This option is often appealing for individuals seeking a shorter treatment time.
Accelerated protocols compress the full course of treatment into a shorter timeframe, often one week. This approach may be considered for individuals who need more rapid intervention or who are unable to commit to several weeks of daily visits.
One-day TMS delivers a full course of treatment in a single day using multiple sessions spaced throughout the day. Instead of coming in daily for several weeks, this accelerated approach is designed to provide faster relief while still targeting the same brain regions involved in mood regulation.
All TMS treatments are selected based on a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation rather than symptom severity alone.
TMS technology uses an electromagnetic coil to generate focused magnetic fields that pass safely through the skull. The magnetic field strength is similar to that used in MRI imaging, but it is delivered in short, targeted pulses.
The stimulation parameters are adjusted for each individual to support comfort, safety, and effectiveness. Unlike electroconvulsive therapy, TMS does not require sedation and is not associated with memory loss.
TMS is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder, and research studies continue into its use for additional conditions such as post-traumatic stress symptoms, chronic pain, and smoking cessation.
TMS is most commonly considered for individuals with major depression who have not responded adequately to other treatments. It may also be appropriate for individuals with OCD and certain other psychiatric conditions based on clinical evaluation.
Before starting TMS treatments, patients undergo a thorough assessment to review their medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Screening includes evaluating for contraindications such as specific implanted medical devices or metallic implants.
Most major insurance plans cover TMS treatments when medical criteria are met. The team at Pacific Mind Health assists with insurance verification and authorization to help patients understand coverage and next steps.
TMS offers hope. Get started with your free TMS info session today, and determine if it is the proper treatment for you.
During a TMS session, patients may hear clicking sounds and feel a tapping sensation on the scalp beneath the coil. These sensations are typically well-tolerated and decrease as treatment progresses.
Patients remain awake and alert and may read or watch television during sessions. There is no required recovery time, and patients may drive themselves to and from appointments.
Pacific Mind Health provides TMS therapy in California with in-person treatment available across Long Beach, Los Angeles County, and Orange County. Telepsychiatry services are also available statewide for medication management and follow-up care when appropriate.
By offering multiple treatment locations and coordinated psychiatric services, the practice aims to reduce barriers to care and support continuity across treatment phases.
TMS is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported side effects include mild scalp discomfort or headache, particularly during the first few sessions. These effects usually resolve quickly.
Hearing protection is provided during treatment due to the sound produced by the magnetic pulses. Serious adverse effects, such as seizures, are rare when treatment is administered by trained professionals following established safety protocols.
Clinicians at Pacific Mind Health monitor patients closely throughout treatment and adjust stimulation settings as needed to support comfort and safety.
Compared to medication-only patients, TMS patients enjoyed sustained results after treatments.
We’re in-network with nearly every insurance provider, and most insurance carriers provide coverage for TMS. Some of the most common insurance companies covering our patients in Long Beach, CA, include:
Individual insurance policies may vary. Some may require pre-authorization, specific provider credentials (MD, CMA, RNP, RN), or a certain number of drag failures before TMS can be approved. Always refer to your insurer’s policy guidelines.
TMS offers an evidence-based option for individuals seeking additional support when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. When delivered as part of comprehensive psychiatric care, it can play a meaningful role in improving quality of life and long-term stability.
Individuals interested in learning more about TMS, Express TMS, or Accelerated TMS are encouraged to schedule an information session or psychiatric consultation to explore whether this approach aligns with their needs.
If you’re facing the challenges of depression and searching for a guiding light, reach out to Pacific Mind Health. We understand the weight of your struggles and are here to offer you the compassionate support you need. Our innovative TMS treatment holds the promise of relief, providing you with the opportunity to rediscover a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.
TMS offers hope. Get started with your free TMS info session today.
