Exploring PTSD and TMS Therapy: Expert Insights from Lighthouse Psychiatry

Close-up of a comforting hand on a man's shoulder during a therapy session.

Understanding TMS Therapy:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a global mental health concern affecting countless individuals. Those grappling with PTSD continue to be ensnared by past traumas, undergoing an array of symptoms that can impact daily life. Thankfully, PTSD, while challenging, offers an array of treatments to aid individuals in achieving a healthy and contented life. One such treatment is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy. Dive deeper into understanding PTSD and how options like TMS Therapy can bolster the recovery journey for those contending with it.

Comprehending PTSD

Numerous individuals encounter trying, harrowing, or perilous events in their lifetimes. Often, these experiences exert their influence at the moment and shortly thereafter. However, on occasion, the aftermath of these events persists long after they conclude, morphing into what we term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s crucial to recognize that PTSD doesn’t indicate a lack of strength or an inability to surmount the past.

Trauma effectively reshapes the brain’s structure, often resulting in hyperactivity in regions responsible for processing threats, like the fight-or-flight response, while areas linked to relaxation and happiness remain subdued. PTSD is a extensively studied condition that necessitates time, therapy, and frequently medication to navigate.

Indications of PTSD

An array of symptoms characterizes the experience of someone grappling with PTSD. These encompass both physical and psychological manifestations, often mirroring traits seen in other mental health struggles such as depression or anxiety. For instance, an individual with PTSD might experience an accelerated heart rate, trembling, clammy palms, queasiness, or breathlessness. Internally, they might wrestle with intense feelings of anguish, despondency, or recurrent, intrusive thoughts.

Approaches to Treating PTSD

For those contending with PTSD, seeking assistance is paramount. Suppressing emotional responses only leads to their accumulation over time; thus, confronting mental health challenges directly proves more salubrious. Therapy stands as a premier method for exploring triggers and acquiring coping mechanisms. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are common therapeutic modalities for PTSD. Interventions through prescription medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, are also frequently employed.

Recent strides have also been made in utilizing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS Therapy, for individuals grappling with PTSD. TMS constitutes a form of neuromodulation that deploys electromagnetic pulses to activate dormant brain areas, fostering healthier patterns of brain chemistry.

Lighthouse Psychiatry is Here to Assist You During This Challenging Period

Should you desire to delve into TMS Therapy or other PTSD treatment alternatives, connect with us at Lighthouse Psychiatry today. Our adept mental health professionals collaborate with you to devise a personalized treatment strategy tailored to your distinct mental health requisites.

Contact us today to set up a meeting, and let us be there to support you on your journey to healing.

Karen McIntosh, LCSW

Therapist See age 18+

CLINIC: Virtual

Compassionate. Experienced. Client-focused. Karen McIntosh brings over a decade of experience in the mental health field, helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with empathy and expertise. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Karen specializes in working with clients experiencing anxiety and depression by utilizing a diverse range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), psychoanalysis and humanistic therapy.

Karen’s experience spans across various settings, from private practice to hospital environments, where she has provided tailored treatment plans, conducted comprehensive assessments, and supported clients dealing with anxiety, mood disorders, and life transitions. Her approach is rooted in understanding each client’s unique needs, empowering them to achieve their goals through evidence-based strategies and compassionate guidance.

Karen combines academic excellence with real-world experience to offer a safe, supportive, and results-driven therapeutic experience.  Whether you’re seeking support for personal growth, emotional challenges, or relationship dynamics, Karen is committed to walking alongside you on your journey to mental well-being.

While she calls both Georgia and Arizona her home, she enjoys exploring the world to take part in culture, language, community and most of all, food.  She spends her free time hiking, walking, reading, watching documentaries and even the occasional guilty pleasure reality show.

Take the first step towards a healthier you—connect with Karen today.

Tristan Echevarria, BS

Therapist-in-training

CLINIC: Gilbert

Fluent in English

Tristan is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and has an extensive background in mental health. Tristan has worked closely with innovative alternative treatments, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Red Light Therapy), to support individuals in their mental health journey. Tristan is passionate about helping clients navigate life’s challenges by providing a safe and supportive environment. He integrates evidence-based practices with individualized treatment plans, striving to empower clients to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.


In his spare time, Tristan enjoys watching sports such as football and baseball, exercising at the gym, playing video games, and spending time with family.