TMS

What exactly happens during a TMS treatment?

Patients relax in the therapy chair and a ‘paddle’ is placed over the area of their brain which is to be treated. It will rest lightly on their scalp throughout treatment. The patient will feel a tapping sensation on their head as the magnetic pulses are delivered. It is pain-free and our patients are free to talk, listen to music or just sit back and relax as the treatment is delivered over 30 minutes. Afterwards, they are free to go about their normal day, including driving or resuming work.

Learn more about the full treatment process here.

How often will I need TMS?

This depends on each individual case and your psychiatrist will be able to advise you on that following your assessment. However TMS is delivered for 30 minutes every working day over 20-25 sessions (around 3-6 weeks) in most cases. We can also administer a more powerful treatment using the theta burst technology, which can reduce the duration of treatment to 3- 6 minutes with no change in the effectiveness of the treatment.

If you are travelling outside the areas we can help you arrange local accommodation with easy access to the clinic for the duration of your treatment. We have deals with local hotels at 40% less than prices you’ll see online so please ask us if you need accommodation.

Are there any side effects?

Although pain-free, some people find the ‘tapping’ sensation or noise of the magnetic pulses near their head uncomfortable .

Others have reported a light-headed feeling, a mild localised headache, a tingling in the face, jaw or scalp and temporary hearing problems from the noise of the machine. Although extremely rare, there is a very small risk of seizures.

Why hasn’t my GP heard of TMS?

TMS was accredited by NICE for the treatment of depression in 2015 so it is still a relatively new treatment in the market, although research into TMS has been ongoing since the 1980s.

Awareness of TMS is growing but there is still a lack of knowledge amongst some GPs about this pioneering new treatment so please feel free to share the recommendations by NICE with your practitioner. We would welcome the chance to talk to any GP or referrer who would like to learn more about TMS to open the opportunity for treatment to more patients.

How much does it cost?

We don’t believe in selling packages or ‘bundles’ of TMS sessions. This is because every individual is different and some respond faster than others to the treatment. Your mental health is important and we want to ensure you get care that is tailored exactly to your needs to ensure the best chances of recovery, which is why we offer a well-rounded care programme and not just TMS sessions.

Our fees start at £200 per session. This is up to 50% less than some other clinics without compromising on quality. We accept all major credit cards.

We are committed to making this highly effective treatment available to as many people as possible. We would therefore consider discounts for certain personal circumstances. Please talk to us to see how we can help you.

Is TMS covered under health insurance?

Coverage for the treatment often depends on a person’s individual health needs and policy. We are able to offer an initial assessment and help you build a case for it with your insurance company if we feel TMS would be beneficial.