TMS Treatment in Los Angeles (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Board-Certified Psychiatrists • FDA-Approved Technology • Proven Results for TMS Treatment

CALL US FOR HELP: (310) 304-1226

BNI Clinics offers the most trusted doctor-led Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment in Los Angeles, a proven, non-invasive treatment that helps restore healthy brain activity and relieve depression when other approaches fail.

7.2% of Californians reported experiencing a major depressive episode (MDE) in recent years, with a pattern trending upward. We also know 30% of those with major depressive disorder had treatment-resistant depression in 2021. That indicates 2% of all Californians may have treatment-resistant depression.

What Does TMS Treat at BNI Clinics?

TMS is FDA-approved for major depressive disorder, migraines, OCD, and helping clients quit smoking. There is substantial evidence of TMS’s efficacy in treating these conditions. Other areas require more scientific study before TMS is widely accepted as effective for them, but there are promising signs.

Some of the other conditions TMS is used to treat include:

• Substance use disorders
• Alzheimer’s
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Eating disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Schizophrenia

Scientists and practitioners learn more about TMS every day. It is a treatment method with the potential to change lives, and in some cases, save them.

What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy (TMS)?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy (TMS), first invented in 1985, is a non-invasive procedure involving a magnetic coil that sends pulses to influence the electrical activity in your brain. TMS is most commonly used for depression that hasn’t improved through other methods, but can also be used for other conditions. It has minimal side effects compared to other treatment modalities, making it an important asset to mental healthcare.

What Is the Success Rate of TMS?

While TMS was invented in 1985, widespread study and the emergence of evidence for its efficacy are more recent. More research is required to learn what forms of TMS are most effective, but there is significant evidence that TMS is a worthwhile treatment option.

A 2020 study by the Stanford University School of Medicine suggests an individualized, intensified version of TMS is successful in reducing depression symptoms for up to 90% of those undergoing the treatment. Another small study Stanford conducted using the same method a year later found that there was an average 52.5% decrease in the treatment group’s rating on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Only 11% of the placebo group reported an improvement in their symptoms. In 2022, this method of TMS, known as Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy (SNT), was cleared by the FDA to treat depression.

13 different studies on traditional types of TMS between 1996 and 2018 indicated an improvement in symptoms due to forms of TMS. These improvements were mostly seen in depression that was unresponsive to other forms of treatment.

Benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Here are some of the major benefits of TMS therapy:

1. 100% Non-Invasive and Drug-Free

TMS uses magnetic pulses, not medication or surgery to stimulate underactive areas of the brain. There’s no anesthesia, no needles, and no systemic side effects like weight gain or fatigue.

2. Zero Downtime After Each Session

You can drive yourself to and from treatment, return to work, school, or daily activities immediately, and maintain a normal routine throughout the program.

3. Minimal and Temporary Side Effects

Most people experience only mild scalp discomfort or a brief headache in early sessions. These typically fade quickly as your body adjusts to treatment.

4. Long-Lasting Symptom Relief

Many patients experience sustained improvement in mood, sleep, concentration, and emotional stability long after the 6-week treatment program ends. Some achieve complete remission.

5. Highly Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression

TMS is specifically designed for individuals who haven’t responded to antidepressants or psychotherapy subsequently making it one of the most impactful next-step treatments available.

Why Choose BNI Clinics for TMS Treatment? 

• Doctor-owned and operated practice

• FDA-approved TMS for depression, OCD, migraines, and smoking cessation

• Safe, medication-free, non-invasive treatment

• Specialized programs for adults and teens

• Highly trained psychiatric team

• Personalized TMS protocols based on your brain’s response

BNI Clinics combines science, technology, and compassion to bring lasting improvement to people struggling with depression.

What Should I Expect During TMS at BNI Clinics?

Before we begin, you’ll be guided to a treatment room in an office setting, and sit down in a comfortable chair. We’ll ask you to remove your glasses and any metallic jewelry you may have so they don’t interfere with the magnet. Then we give you earplugs to drown out any sounds from the machine or distractions from the environment..

TMS is entirely non-invasive. You’ll remain awake and shouldn’t experience any pain during the TMS process. Someone from our medical team will place the magnet on your head, which will deliver small magnetic pulses to your scalp.

The pulses will vary, with pauses in between to allow the magnet to cool off. TMS treatments take 40 minutes, and you’ll be able to watch TV or look at your phone during your treatment to pass the time. Our TMS services will function the same way in your later appointments, though we can make adjustments to the therapy based on your symptoms and progress. After your treatment is done for the day, you can return to regular activities. Side effects may include scalp discomfort, headache, tingling in the face, and dizziness, but they aren’t common, and they typically subside soon after the treatment session ends.

The FDA-approved length of treatment is five days a week for six weeks, for a total of 30 TMS sessions. Most clients notice a difference in their sleep and alertness two weeks into treatment, and general increased mood by the end of the six-week treatment.

Learn More About TMS Treatment With BNI Clinics

TMS is a safe and effective alternative to antidepressants with few side effects, and we have seen positive results with our patients here at BNI. In 2022, 18% of Californians were diagnosed with depression, so treatment options such as TMS are needed.

Located in the Agoura Hills near Los Angeles, California, BNI Clinics offers a variety of psychiatric and psychological care for adults as well as teens. For more on how we can serve you and enhance the quality of your life for years to come, call us at (310) 691-5005.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long is TMS treatment?

A standard TMS treatment program lasts 6 weeks, with 30 total sessions (5 sessions per week). Each appointment takes about 40 minutes, and you can resume normal activities immediately afterward.

2. How much does TMS treatment cost?

The cost of TMS varies based on your provider, number of sessions, and insurance coverage. Many insurance plans cover TMS for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, especially if you’ve already tried multiple medications. Get in touch with BNI Clinics below to learn more.

3. How long do the effects of TMS treatment last?

Many patients experience long-lasting improvements in mood, energy, sleep, and emotional balance for months or even years after completing the program. A small number of patients benefit from maintenance TMS sessions if symptoms return.

4. What should I expect after TMS treatment?

Most people leave their session feeling normal and can drive home or return to work. Mild side effects such as scalp sensitivity, light fatigue, or a temporary headache may occur early in treatment but typically fade.

5. Is TMS therapy safe?

Yes. TMS is FDA-approved, non-invasive, and considered very safe. It does not affect memory, cognition, or personality. The most common side effects are mild and short-lived.

6. Who is a good candidate for TMS therapy?

TMS is ideal for individuals who:

• Have not improved with antidepressant medications or therapy

• Cannot tolerate medication side effects

• Prefer a drug-free, non-invasive treatment

• Have treatment-resistant depression

A psychiatric evaluation at BNI Clinics confirms whether TMS is the right fit.

7. Does TMS therapy hurt?

TMS is generally painless. Some patients feel tapping sensations on the scalp, but discomfort decreases after the first few sessions as your body adjusts.