TMS Therapy
Advanced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
What is TMS Therapy
TMS Therapy is a non-invasive treatment for depression that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. This therapy is particularly useful for patients who have not responded to traditional treatments such as medication or psychotherapy. The process is relatively quick, with each session lasting as little as 5 minutes, and patients can resume normal activities immediately afterwards.
Advance Rapid TMS Therapy for MDD & OCD
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been around for many decades and was only available at academic institutions for research and severe clinical cases. But ever since the FDA cleared and approved TMS for use in the general public for the treatment of depression and other conditions back in 2008, there has been a rapidly growing interest to use TMS Therapy as a reliable adjunctive or replacement treatment for depression and other conditions.
Advanced EEG-Guided TMS Therapy (MeRT)
While Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been around for many decades, it is only recently that EEG data is being utilized to provide a greater customization of TMS to further optimize brain response and healing.
Lighthouse Psychiatry is proud to be an exclusive provider of Advanced EEG-guided TMS Therapy (MeRT). This innovative technology can be an effective adjunctive treatment for many conditions, including depression, anxiety, and other complex disorders.
Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) combines EEG data and TMS stimulation. Some treatments are “off-label”.
We are thrilled to bring Wave Neuroscience’s proprietary MeRT TMS technology to Arizona. Using a customized MagVenture TMS and quantitative EEG data, MeRT generates a personalized treatment algorithm to optimize brain healing.
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Inside Wave Neuro's Brain Treatment Center
Dr. Erik Won, on "Ground-Breaking Technology That is Changing the Future of Mental Health"
Does TMS Therapy Work?
How does TMS do this, exactly?
We invite you to come and discover the transformative potential of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in enhancing brain health and well-being at our two Arizona Brain Health Centers – Gilbert and Scottsdale. TMS, a cutting-edge non-invasive procedure, offers a remarkable avenue for those seeking to optimize their mental wellness. By harnessing magnetic fields to stimulate specific regions of the brain, TMS has shown promising results in alleviating depression, anxiety, and various neurological conditions. Its remarkable ability to activate neural circuits and promote neuroplasticity paves the way for a brighter future in mental healthcare. Join us in exploring the boundless possibilities of TMS therapy for depression and other mental health conditions. Delve deeper into this revolutionary treatment that is reshaping the landscape of brain health. Your journey to a healthier mind starts here—let’s uncover the exciting realm of TMS together!
Your brain is composed of approximately 100 billion neurons. These neurons interact with each other through brain waves, or tiny electrical oscillations, to control how your brain functions.
- Your neurons can be disrupted by internal or external forces, causing brain dysfunction. Some of these forces can include:
- Trauma to the head such as a concussion
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Developmental disorders such as Autism, ADD, and ADHD
- Illness or disease such as stroke or Parkinson’s Disease
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Learning disorders
- Dementia
- Multiple sports injuries (head hits)
- Anxiety
- Sleeping disorders
- Congenital issues
These disruptions can be minor or significant. Everyone has different levels of tolerance. Some people still function in day-to-day activities, while others are to some degree debilitated and lose their quality of life.
TMS attempts to reprogram these abnormal electrical signals in the brain. By identifying where your brain waves are not properly communicating, we can help to restore optimal function. TMS technology can reshape the activity in your brain.
This cutting-edge treatment produces gentle magnetic waves stimulating the brain at personalized frequencies targeting.
Through TMS, we stimulate the exact area of your brain where communication is poor and increase activity in that area. This can help the brain learn pathways that have never been used or abandoned, or blocked by trauma.
TMS is non-surgical, non-invasive, painless, and completely drug-free. You are comfortable throughout the procedure. In most cases, we can visibly reshape brainwave activity, regardless of what may have caused the disruption.
TMS + Ketamine Infusion Therapy | Rapid Depression Relief
An Advanced Approach to Treatment-Resistant Depression in Arizona
Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Ketamine Infusion Therapy represents one of the most advanced treatment strategies in modern interventional psychiatry for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), PTSD, bipolar depression, and severe mood disorders.
By pairing the neuroplastic effects of ketamine with the targeted neuromodulation of TMS, this integrated approach addresses both biochemical and circuit-level dysfunction, leading to faster, deeper, and more durable clinical outcomes.
At Lighthouse Psychiatry in Arizona, our protocol is physician-led, evidence-informed, and personalized to each patient’s neuropsychiatric profile.
Individually, both therapies are effective. Together, they offer synergistic benefits that exceed either treatment alone.
Combined Advantages:
- Faster symptom relief than TMS alone
- Greater durability than ketamine alone
- Enhanced neuroplasticity and learning
- Reduced relapse rates
- Effective for highly refractory depression
- Addresses both mood circuitry and neurotransmitter dysregulation
This dual-modality approach is increasingly recognized as a next-generation standard for severe or complex depression.
Combined therapy is clinically applied for:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
- Major depressive disorder
- PTSD and trauma-related depression
- Bipolar depression
- Severe anxiety disorders
- Chronic suicidal ideation
- Depression with cognitive impairment
- Comorbid depression and chronic pain
- Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
Neuropsychiatric assessment, prior treatment review, and safety screening.
- Personalized Treatment Sequencing
Protocols may include:
- Ketamine priming before TMS
- Concurrent ketamine + TMS phases
- TMS stabilization followed by ketamine maintenance
- TMS Neuromodulation
Non-invasive, FDA-cleared stimulation targeting depression-related cortical circuits.
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy
IV ketamine administered in a monitored medical setting to rapidly reduce depressive symptoms and enhance plasticity.
- Ongoing Optimization
Outcome tracking, relapse prevention, and long-term planning.
This advanced protocol is typically recommended for patients who:
- Failed ≥2 antidepressant trials
- Had partial or short-lived responses to TMS or ketamine alone
- Have severe, recurrent, or complex depression
- Experience suicidal ideation
- Have comorbid PTSD or bipolar depression
- Require faster stabilization than traditional treatments allow
At Lighthouse Psychiatry, combined TMS and ketamine therapy is delivered with:
- Board-certified psychiatric oversight
- Continuous monitoring
- FDA-cleared TMS devices
- Medical-grade ketamine protocols
- Arizona-compliant clinical standards
- HIPAA-compliant documentation
Both therapies are widely studied and considered safe when administered by trained specialists.
FAQ
Is it safe to combine TMS and ketamine?
Yes. When medically supervised, this combination is considered safe and increasingly used for refractory depression.
Which works first: TMS or ketamine?
Protocols vary. Some patients receive ketamine first to reduce symptoms rapidly, followed by TMS for stabilization.
Does insurance cover combined treatment?
TMS is often covered by insurance. Ketamine infusion coverage varies. Our team assists with preauthorization and payment options.
How long do results last?
Many patients experience sustained improvement when TMS stabilization is paired with ketamine maintenance.
Is this better than TMS alone?
For severe or refractory cases, combined therapy often produces more robust and durable outcomes.