TMS is a noninvasive, FDA-approved treatment that helps relieve depression when medications fail. Learn how it works, what to expect, and how Axis Integrated Mental Health can help you feel better. Book today!
What Is TMS and How Does It Work?
TMS is an FDA-approved, noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific parts of the brain responsible for mood regulation, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These pulses help “reset” dysfunctional brain patterns and promote neuroplasticity, making TMS especially effective for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and even bipolar disorder.
Unlike ECT, TMS doesn’t require anesthesia or cause memory loss. It also avoids the systemic side effects of medications like weight gain or emotional blunting. Most patients tolerate it well, experiencing only mild side effects like scalp discomfort or headache.
Who Can Benefit Most from TMS Therapy?
TMS is particularly helpful for patients who:
- Have tried 1–2 antidepressants with little or no improvement
- Experience significant side effects from medications
- Have been diagnosed with MDD, TRD, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, or bipolar depression
- Are looking for a drug-free, evidence-based alternative to standard treatments
However, TMS is not recommended for people with certain metal implants, a history of seizures, or unstable medical conditions. An intake appointment will determine your eligibility.
What Happens During a TMS Treatment Session?
Each session is simple, safe, and requires no downtime:
- Mapping & Motor Threshold: In your first visit, the provider identifies the best placement and stimulation level by observing muscle twitches in your hand or fingers.
- Painless Stimulation: A magnetic coil is placed against your scalp to deliver quick pulses. You may hear tapping or clicking and feel a tapping sensation.
- Short & Convenient: Each treatment lasts about 20–30 minutes. You can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately after.
Treatment is done 5 days a week for 4–6 weeks, followed by a twice a week tapering period of 4-8 weeks totaling 30–36 sessions. Axis offers a welcoming outpatient environment so patients feel supported throughout.
How Effective Is TMS Compared to Antidepressants and ECT?
Studies show that Deep TMS has a response rate of 70–80%, with about 60% of patients achieving full remission. Unlike antidepressants, which can take weeks to work and often lose effectiveness, TMS creates more lasting change in the brain’s neural pathways. Compared to ECT, it is far more tolerable and does not involve cognitive side effects or sedation. Compare Deep TMS efficacy rates against rTMS, Spravato, IV Ketamine and antidepressants in our review.
Are There Side Effects from TMS Treatment?
Most side effects are mild and temporary:
- Scalp discomfort
- Mild headache
- Lightheadedness
- Facial twitching during treatment
Rare but serious side effects may include seizures or hearing issues if ear protection isn’t used properly. Your care team will walk you through safety guidelines and adjust your treatment as needed.
Can You Combine TMS with Therapy and Medication
At Axis, we recommend combining TMS with ongoing psychotherapy and medication management (if applicable). This integrative approach boosts your chances of long-term success. You can also do TMS concurrently with Spravato treatment if your provider recommends it. If you’re not currently in therapy, our team can help connect you with a licensed professional.
We also advise patients to:
- Sleep well the night before treatment
- Limit caffeine and alcohol use
- Stay consistent with medications as prescribed
How much do Deep TMS treatments cost with insurance?
Get clarity before you book your first appointment on how much Deep TMS Therapy costs. Many people are surprised to discover how much insurance covers. Book a free financial consultation with our team!
At your appointment, we’ll tell you:
- What your insurance plan requires to cover treatment
- Your estimated out-of-pocket cost
- What you can expect from treatment including time commitments, when you might to start feeling better, and other options.
Ask our team about payment plans, alternative payments, and more on your call.
Deep TMS Cost Calculator
Estimate your out-of-pocket cost in under 60 seconds
This is a general estimate only. Your actual cost may differ. Axis verifies your exact benefits before treatment begins. No insurance data is stored.
Important: This is an estimate only, not a guarantee or full benefits investigation. Actual costs depend on your specific plan and claim processing. You are not required or encouraged to book services with Axis based upon this calculator. The calculator is provided as a certain mental and behavioral health concerns.
Where Can I Get Deep TMS Treatment in Denver County or Boulder County?
Axis Integrated Mental Health provides Deep TMS with Brainsway machines to all qualified patients at their clinics in Denver, Boulder, DTC and Westminster. To get started:
- Schedule an intake appointment with our psychiatric providers.
- We’ll assess your eligibility and submit a prior authorization request to your insurance.
- Once approved, we’ll begin treatment sessions and monitor your progress closely.
Axis Integrated Mental Health’s team of MDs and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners is highly experienced in administering TMS with compassion and precision.
What Makes Deep TMS Therapy at Axis Different?
Most clinics focus on the brain and treat TMS as just a procedure. We also focus on the story it’s telling.
At Axis, we pair cutting-edge TMS treatment with a proprietary 6-week storytelling intervention designed to help patients identify and rewrite the internal narratives that fuel depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. This information is shared with providers and therapists as well. Through guided reflection and structured support, we help people shift from stories of stuckness and shame to ones of strength, meaning, and hope. This dual approach—healing both the brain and the story—sets us apart and leads to deeper, more lasting transformation.
During treatment, you will get:
- Personalized psychiatric care
- Our Proprietary TMS Workbook
- Social prescribing interventions like free tickets to the Denver Botanic Gardens
- Daily TMS treatment with technicians trained in our proprietary storytelling approach
- Saturday appointments
- Transparent pricing and insurance navigation
- An inviting, non-clinical environment focused on your comfort
What Makes Axis Integrated Mental Health the Best TMS Clinic in Colorado?
At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we believe the best mental health care doesn’t just treat the brain—it listens to the story it’s telling. That’s why we’ve reimagined what a TMS clinic can be.
We’re not just the most awarded mental health clinic in Colorado—we’re also the most trusted. Our recognitions include Top Startup of the Year, Best of Mile High™ Mental Wellness Clinic, and Top 100 Woman-Owned Company by ColoradoBiz Magazine.
Our approach to TMS is collaborative and personal. We don’t just run protocols—we work hand-in-hand with your therapist and psychiatric provider to understand why your brain is stuck and how we can help it heal. Our approach means patients get more than symptom relief—they get their lives back. Many patients have called our unique storytelling approach life-changing.
We also offer social prescribing, connecting patients to community support, nature-based healing, and purpose-driven routines that improve outcomes beyond the clinic walls. And with full insurance support and transparent TMS Costs, in-house prior authorizations, and a care coordination team that fights to lower your out-of-pocket costs, our streamlined system ensures you get the help you need with the least hassle and the lowest price.
No waiting lists. No jumping through hoops. Just exceptional, evidence-based care that works. That’s what makes Axis the best TMS clinic in Colorado.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Better Today
If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions and haven’t found relief through traditional treatments, TMS could be the solution. Contact Axis Integrated Mental Health today to schedule your intake appointment and begin your healing journey.
FAQs
What is the difference between TMS and Deep TMS?
TMS and Deep TMS both use magnetic pulses to stimulate mood-related brain circuits without surgery or anesthesia. The key difference is the coil and treatment field: standard rTMS typically uses a figure-8 coil to target a smaller, more surface-level area, while Deep TMS uses an H-coil inside a helmet to reach broader and deeper brain networks involved in depression. Axis explains this as the difference between a narrow “laser pointer” approach and a broader “floodlight” approach.
How do I know if Deep TMS is working?
Deep TMS often works gradually, so early signs may show up in daily functioning before mood fully improves. Patients may notice that everyday tasks feel less exhausting, focus improves, emotions feel less flat, sleep or appetite becomes more stable, social withdrawal decreases, physical tension eases, or repetitive negative thoughts slow down. Many patients begin noticing changes around weeks three to four, though some need more time or treatment adjustments.
Is Deep TMS more effective than traditional TMS?
Deep TMS may be more effective for some patients because it is designed to stimulate deeper and broader mood-regulation networks than traditional rTMS. In a large post-marketing analysis of Deep TMS using the H1 coil, 30 sessions were associated with an 81.6% response rate and 65.3% remission rate among participants with data from at least one scale. Results vary by patient, diagnosis, treatment history, protocol, and session completion, so Deep TMS should be evaluated through a personalized consultation rather than treated as a guaranteed outcome.
Can Deep TMS be used to help women suffering from perinatal or postpartum depression?
Yes, TMS-based treatment may be considered for some women with perinatal or postpartum depression, especially when medication has not worked, is not tolerated, or a patient wants a non-medication option. The strongest published evidence is for TMS/rTMS broadly, while Deep TMS candidacy should be assessed individually with psychiatric and OB/perinatal care coordination. A systematic review found TMS for peripartum depression was generally safe, feasible, and well tolerated, including during breastfeeding, but larger studies are still needed.
