You’ve tried the medications. Maybe you’ve switched them, stacked them, adjusted doses. You’ve sat in therapy. And still, the depression persists, or the side effects make daily life feel unmanageable in a different way. If that describes your experience, you’re not alone, and you haven’t run out of options.
BrainsWay Deep TMS therapy is now available at Sana Lake Outpatient in Maryland Heights, MO, bringing a clinically proven, FDA-cleared treatment for major depressive disorder to patients throughout the greater St. Louis area. It doesn’t require surgery, anesthesia, or hospitalization. Most sessions last about 20 minutes, and you can drive yourself home afterward.
What Is BrainsWay Deep TMS Therapy?
BrainsWay Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) is a noninvasive, outpatient treatment that uses electromagnetic pulses to activate areas of the brain involved in mood, motivation, and emotional regulation.
Unlike other treatment options, Deep TMS:
- does not affect the whole body with systemic side effects
- does not require anesthesia
- does not carry a risk of short-term memory loss
More intensive treatments, like ECT, may require anesthesia and can impact memory. Deep TMS offers a different approach.
At Sana Lake, we use the H1-Coil, which is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder and anxious depression. Other BrainsWay systems are cleared for OCD and smoking addiction. The technology has been used to treat thousands of patients worldwide.
How the H-Coil Reaches Deeper Brain Regions Than Standard TMS
Most TMS systems use a smaller, more focused coil that targets surface-level areas of the brain. BrainsWay’s H-Coil is designed differently. It reaches deeper and stimulates a broader area of the brain, including regions connected to mood, motivation, and reward.
This allows for a more comprehensive approach to targeting the brain circuits involved in depression. The coil is built into a padded helmet that is worn during treatment. It’s designed to stay in place and keep the treatment consistent from session to session.
Key advantages of BrainsWay’s H-Coil technology:
- Reaches deeper areas of the brain involved in mood and motivation
- Stimulates a broader area compared to standard TMS
- Designed to stay consistent, even with small changes in positioning
- Flexible design that fits comfortably to your head
- Built into a padded helmet to keep treatment stable during sessions
- No surgery, no implants, and no anesthesia required
Why Antidepressants Don't Work for Everyone With Depression
Depression affects more than 21 million adults in the United States each year, and for many, treatment isn’t straightforward. Even after trying medication, symptoms can continue. About 30% of individuals who try two or more antidepressants still experience ongoing depression, often referred to as treatment-resistant depression.
With each new medication, finding the right fit can become more difficult. Side effects can also make it hard to stay consistent. Therapy plays an important role, but it doesn’t always fully address the biological side of depression. For some, symptoms persist even with consistent care.
Depression and anxiety also commonly occur together, which can make treatment more complex.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression is typically diagnosed when someone has tried at least two antidepressant medications without meaningful relief. This doesn’t mean your depression can’t be treated. It means a different approach may be needed.
Depression involves more than thoughts and emotions, it also affects how certain areas of the brain function. For some people, medication alone may not create enough change. That’s where treatments like Deep TMS come in, working directly with the brain to target areas linked to depression.
The Connection Between Depression and Substance Use
Depression often doesn’t exist on its own. Many individuals living with depression also struggle with substance use.
In some cases, substances are used to cope with symptoms like low mood, anxiety, or lack of motivation. In others, both conditions develop alongside each other. When this happens, treatment can become more complex.
When both are present, each condition can make the other harder to manage:
- Ongoing depression can increase the risk of returning to use
- Substance use can make depressive symptoms more difficult to treat
Addressing both is an important part of long-term recovery.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis (Co-Occurring Disorder)?
A dual diagnosis, also known as a co-occurring disorder, means someone is experiencing both a mental health condition, like depression, and a substance use disorder at the same time.
This is common, and it’s something treatment providers are trained to address.
While Deep TMS is not a treatment for substance use disorders, it is an FDA-cleared treatment for depression and anxious depression. For individuals in recovery who continue to struggle with depression, Deep TMS may be considered as part of a broader, clinically guided treatment plan.
How Does BrainsWay Deep TMS Treatment Work?
When you come in for a Deep TMS session, you’ll sit in a comfortable chair while a padded helmet is gently placed on your head. Inside the helmet is the H-Coil. Once treatment begins, it delivers short magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain involved in mood.
These pulses pass through the scalp and skull safely and activate the brain circuits connected to depression. Most people describe the feeling as a light tapping on the scalp. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but it’s not painful, and most people adjust within the first few sessions.
What to Expect During a Deep TMS Session at Sana Lake
Your first visit will be slightly longer than the rest. During this appointment, your provider will map your brain’s response to determine the right settings for your treatment. This process helps ensure that your care is personalized and consistent. After that, sessions typically last about 20 minutes. You’ll be awake and alert the entire time.
When your session ends, you can go right back to your normal routine. There’s no recovery time, no grogginess, and no restrictions on driving.
Most people are able to fit treatment into their day without disruption. A full course of treatment usually includes multiple sessions over several weeks, followed by maintenance sessions if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep TMS for Depression
Does Deep TMS treatment hurt?
Most patients describe the sensation as a rhythmic, mild tapping on the scalp. Some find the first few sessions slightly uncomfortable as they adjust, but this generally goes away over the first week of treatment.
If the sensation bothers you, your provider can adjust device settings to improve your comfort. Deep TMS does not require anesthesia and carries no risk of the memory effects associated with ECT.
Can I keep taking antidepressants during Deep TMS therapy?
Yes. Deep TMS does not require you to stop your current medications or discontinue psychotherapy.
Clinical evidence suggests that combining Deep TMS with medication can enhance outcomes, particularly for anxiety symptoms in patients with anxious depression. Always inform your provider of any medication changes before or during treatment, as these can influence your response.
How long until I see results from Deep TMS?
Many patients begin noticing changes in mood, energy, or motivation within two to four weeks of starting treatment, though some respond earlier and some later.
Completing the full course of treatment, including the continuation phase, is strongly associated with better and more durable outcomes, and consistency across sessions matters significantly.
How long do Deep TMS results last?
Many patients maintain meaningful symptom relief for a year or more following a completed course of treatment. Maintenance sessions are designed to extend and consolidate those results. Individual durability varies, and your clinical team will monitor your response and adjust accordingly.
What Does Clinical Research Say About Deep TMS for Depression?
Deep TMS therapy has been studied in multiple clinical trials, including randomized and controlled studies.
In one of the key studies that led to FDA clearance, patients who received Deep TMS showed greater improvement in depression symptoms compared to those who received a placebo treatment. These findings have also been supported in real-world settings, where many patients have experienced meaningful improvement in their symptoms.
Deep TMS Response and Remission Rates: What the Data Shows
Clinical research and real-world data show that many patients respond to Deep TMS treatment.
Key clinical findings from published trials and real-world data:
- In clinical trials, response and remission rates were significantly higher compared to placebo treatment
- In larger real-world studies, many patients experienced noticeable improvement in symptoms
- Some patients achieved full remission, meaning their symptoms were greatly reduced or no longer clinically significant
As with any treatment, results can vary. Outcomes are often strongest when patients complete the full course of care and stay consistent with treatment. For individuals who haven’t found relief with medication alone, these results offer a meaningful reason to consider another option.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Deep TMS Therapy?
Deep TMS therapy may be a good option for individuals living with depression, especially if traditional treatments haven’t provided enough relief.
You may be a good fit if:
- You’ve tried antidepressant medication and are still experiencing symptoms
- Side effects have made it difficult to continue medication
- You’ve tried therapy but haven’t seen the progress you were hoping for
Deep TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, including depression with anxiety symptoms (anxious depression). It can be used alongside therapy and medication as part of a broader treatment plan.
Before starting, you’ll complete a clinical evaluation to make sure the treatment is appropriate for you. Most people are eligible, but certain medical conditions or metal implants in or around the head may need to be reviewed first.
If you’re in the St. Louis area and still searching for relief, this may be something to consider.
Does Insurance Cover BrainsWay Deep TMS Treatment?
In many cases, yes, Deep TMS therapy is covered by insurance.
Most major insurance providers cover Deep TMS therapy for depression, especially for individuals who have not found enough relief with medication.
Coverage can vary depending on your specific plan, but many insurance companies require:
- A diagnosis of major depressive disorder
- A history of trying antidepressant medication
- Documentation that symptoms are still present
Before starting treatment, insurance companies typically require prior authorization. This means your care team will submit your information to confirm that treatment is covered.
At Sana Lake, we handle this process for you.
Our team will:
- Verify your insurance benefits
- Work directly with your provider
- Help you understand any out-of-pocket costs
If you’re unsure whether your plan covers Deep TMS, the easiest next step is to reach out. We can walk you through everything and help you figure out what to expect.
BrainsWay Deep TMS Therapy at Sana Lake Recovery in Maryland Heights, MO
Depression is complex, and finding a treatment that actually works can feel like its own exhausting fight. Sana Lake Outpatient in Maryland Heights, MO offers St. Louis-area patients access to BrainsWay Deep TMS.
If you’ve tried what’s been available and are still looking for relief, this may be worth a conversation.
Our team is here to help you understand whether Deep TMS is the right fit, verify your benefits, and walk you through what treatment would look like for you specifically.
