Deep TMS in Salem, Oregon — new hope when depression hasn’t responded to medication
If you’ve tried antidepressants and still feel stuck, Deep TMS offers a different kind of help: a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment, now available at our Salem clinic on Lancaster Drive.
- Non-invasive
- No anesthesia
- No downtime
- Sessions of roughly 20 minutes
Magnetic pulses, aimed where depression lives
Deep TMS — short for Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation — uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. When depression hasn’t responded to medication, those areas can be underactive; Deep TMS works on them directly instead of going through the bloodstream.
We use the BrainsWay Deep TMS system. You sit in a comfortable chair wearing a cushioned helmet that holds a magnetic coil, and the coil delivers brief pulses while you stay fully awake. It’s non-invasive: no surgery, no anesthesia, no sedation, and nothing enters your body.
It also isn’t a replacement for care you already trust. Deep TMS is designed to work alongside medication management and therapy, not instead of them — most people keep both going through their course.
Deep TMS at a glance
- Non-invasive — nothing enters the body
- No anesthesia, no sedation, no downtime
- Sessions take roughly 20 minutes
- You drive yourself to and from every visit
- FDA-cleared · BrainsWay Deep TMS system
- Administered in-office by trained clinicians
Built for depression that hasn’t budged
Deep TMS was designed for people who have done everything right — tried an antidepressant, often more than one, and given each a fair chance — without enough relief. Clinicians call that treatment-resistant depression, and if that’s where you are, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options. For a long time, finding treatment-resistant depression care near Salem, Oregon meant a drive to Portland. Now it’s available here, at our clinic on Lancaster Drive.
The BrainsWay Deep TMS system is FDA-cleared for:
Major depressive disorder
Including treatment-resistant depression — depression that hasn’t responded to antidepressant medication.
Anxious depression
Major depression that comes with significant anxiety symptoms alongside the low mood.
OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, as one part of a broader treatment plan.
Smoking cessation
Support for adults working to quit smoking.
And honestly: Deep TMS isn’t cleared for everything. We don’t use it for ADHD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or insomnia. If it isn’t the right fit for you, we’ll say so plainly and talk through what is — whether that’s therapy, medication, or both. If you’re still sorting out what kind of depression care you need, our page on depression treatment in Salem walks through the full range, from first-line care to Deep TMS.
Quieter than you’re imagining
Most people picture something dramatic. The reality is closer to a short, odd-feeling appointment in a chair. Here’s the whole visit:
- 01
You arrive and settle in
Check in and sit down in a comfortable chair. No prep, no fasting, no gown — you stay in your own clothes and stay fully awake.
- 02
The helmet goes on
A cushioned helmet holding the BrainsWay magnetic coil rests on your head. During stimulation you’ll feel a tapping sensation and hear clicking.
- 03
About 20 minutes
That’s the whole session. You can talk with the clinician administering your treatment the entire time.
- 04
You drive yourself home
No anesthesia means no recovery time. You can head straight back to work, school, or the rest of your day.
A full course typically runs five days a week over several weeks. Because we’re open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, seven days a week, sessions can fit before work, after school pickup, or on a weekend.
Ask about schedulingThe honest version, before you ask
Deep TMS is well tolerated, but “well tolerated” shouldn’t mean “we skip the details.” Here they are.
The common ones
Scalp discomfort where the coil sits, and headache. Both are most noticeable in the early sessions and typically ease as treatment goes on. Tell us if they don’t — small adjustments often help.
The rare one
There is a rare risk of seizure. That’s exactly why we screen in advance: before your first session we go through your health history and current medications together, and if screening raises a concern, we’ll tell you and help you find a safer path.
What doesn’t change
Your current care. Deep TMS works alongside your existing treatment plan — medication and therapy usually continue right through the course, and any changes are made with your psychiatric provider, never on your own.
Coverage is more common than people expect
Many plans cover Deep TMS for treatment-resistant depression, usually with prior authorization — documentation of the medications you’ve already tried. We handle that paperwork with you, and we never promise coverage we haven’t verified: call and we’ll check your coverage for you.
Paying without insurance? Sliding-scale options and superbills are available — call for current rates, or book an appointment and we’ll sort it out together.
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
- Health Share of Oregon
- PacificSource
- Providence
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield
- Aetna
Starting shouldn’t be the hard part
Same-day starts, evening sessions
We’re open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, seven days a week, and same-day appointments are often available — so if today is the day you’re ready to ask about TMS, you may not have to wait. Learn more about same-day psychiatry in Salem.
Atención en español
Deep TMS is available with Spanish-speaking support — from your first phone call through your full course of treatment. Lea sobre Deep TMS en español.
Deep TMS questions, answered plainly
Does Deep TMS hurt?
Most people describe it as a tapping sensation on the scalp, along with a clicking sound. In the first few sessions the tapping can feel uncomfortable, and some people get a mild headache afterward — both typically ease as your course goes on. There’s no anesthesia because none is needed: you’re awake, comfortable, and able to talk the whole time.
How soon do people notice a change?
It varies from person to person. Some people notice their mood lifting partway through the course; for others the change comes later, and it’s often family or friends who see it first. That’s why we encourage completing the full course — typically five days a week over several weeks — before judging whether it worked.
Can I keep taking my medication during TMS?
Yes. Deep TMS is designed to work alongside your existing treatment plan, and most people continue their medication and their therapy right through the course. Any changes to your medication are decisions you make together with your psychiatric provider — never a requirement of starting TMS.
Is Deep TMS covered by insurance?
Many plans cover Deep TMS for treatment-resistant depression, usually with prior authorization — documentation of what you’ve already tried. Every plan is different, so we never assume: call us and we’ll check your specific coverage for you. Our Deep TMS insurance coverage guide explains the process step by step.
Do I need a referral to start?
Not always — the simplest first step is to call us. We’ll figure out together whether your insurance wants a referral or records of past treatment, and we’ll help you gather whatever is needed. If you’re already a patient here, the conversation can start at your next visit.
How is Deep TMS different from ECT?
They’re different treatments. Deep TMS is non-invasive and uses magnetic pulses, with no anesthesia, no downtime, and none of the memory-related side effects associated with ECT — you drive yourself home after each session. ECT remains an option some people genuinely need, and if that’s ever the better fit for you, we’ll say so and help you find it.
Wondering if Deep TMS is right for you?
Call or text and ask. A real person will answer, walk you through the screening questions, and help you check your coverage — no pressure, and no obligation to commit to anything.
Open 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, seven days a week · Salem, Oregon