What Is TMS Therapy in Austin?

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which regulates mood. Unlike medications, TMS does not travel through the bloodstream and has fewer side effects. It is a well-tolerated option for those who haven’t responded to antidepressants or prefer a drug-free treatment.

TMS is primarily used for treatment-resistant depression, but research shows it can also help with symptoms of anxiety, OCD, PTSD, migraines, and more.

TMS stimulates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for mood regulation. Magnetic pulses activate neurons, helping to restore neurotransmitter balance (such as serotonin and dopamine). This can relieve depression symptoms long-term, unlike antidepressants, which only work while in the bloodstream.

What happens in a session?

• You’ll sit in a comfortable chair while a TMS coil is placed on your head.
• The device sends painless magnetic pulses to stimulate brain activity.
• You can watch TV, listen to music, or talk during treatment.
• Sessions last 20–30 minutes, 5 days a week for 4–6 weeks.
• No sedation or downtime—patients can drive home and resume normal activities.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been shown to be more effective than antidepressants for many patients:

• 50% of patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms.
• 30–33% achieve full remission, meaning symptoms completely disappear.
• Many patients start feeling better after 2–3 weeks, with full results after 6 weeks.

Unlike antidepressants, which must be taken continuously, TMS treatments provide long-lasting relief without the side effects of medication.

TMS treatments do not directly impact medications, but as symptoms improve, some patients may reduce or discontinue antidepressants under medical supervision.

• If you're already on medication, your provider will decide whether to continue or adjust it.
• If you're not taking medication, TMS can be a standalone treatment or part of a combined approach.
• Each treatment plan is personalized to fit your needs.

Your provider will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Depression can be debilitating, and early diagnosis is important. Ask yourself:

• Has my sleep, appetite, or energy changed?
• Am I avoiding social interactions or losing interest in hobbies?
• Do I feel agitated, tearful, or hopeless most days?
• Have I engaged in risky behaviors or self-harm?

If these resonate with you, consider taking a Depression Screening and seeking professional help. Early treatment increases the chances of remission and long-term well-being.

Yes! Most major insurances cover TMS, and we’ll work directly with your insurance provider on your behalf to help you get covered.

Insurance Accepted – Mindful Health Solutions

What is SPRAVATO, or esketamine, nasal spray?

Esketamine is an FDA-approved nasal spray (Spravato) used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Unlike traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin, esketamine works by increasing glutamate, improving brain cell communication and mood regulation.

Why esketamine therapy at our Austin esketamine clinic?

• Works faster than antidepressants (effects may begin in hours or days)
• Helps patients who haven’t responded to other medications
• Administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision

Esketamine is recommended for adults with treatment-resistant depression who have:

• Tried at least two antidepressants without success
• Experienced less than a 50% improvement in symptoms

It is also approved for individuals at risk of suicide.

Esketamine is administered as a nasal spray in a certified clinic.

During a session:

• You self-administer the spray under medical supervision
• You remain at the clinic for two hours for monitoring
• Most patients receive 12 treatments over two months

Because of possible short-term side effects, you’ll need someone to drive you home after each session.

Esketamine is safe when used as directed, but like any medication, it has potential side effects.

Common, short-term SPRAVATO side effects:

• Sleepiness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Increased blood pressure
• Temporary dissociation (feeling detached)

These effects usually fade within 1–2 hours. Esketamine carries a low risk of dependence, but regular monitoring by a doctor is required.

Studies show that esketamine therapy, when combined with an antidepressant:

• Helps 70% of patients experience at least a 50% symptom reduction
• Leads to full remission in 50% of patients

Some patients feel better after just one SPRAVATO therapy session, but most see full results after 12 treatments over two months.

Insurance coverage for esketamine is expanding, but approval varies. Our team will work directly with your provider to help secure coverage. We also offer out-of-pocket payment options for those without coverage for esketamine therapy.

Insurance Accepted – Mindful Health Solutions

Wondering, how does ketamine therapy work? Ketamine infusion treatments are often described as an “out-of-body experience.” Patients may experience dissociation during ketamine infusion therapy for treatment-resistant depression, often reported as a pleasant feeling that relieves symptoms of depression. Dissociation can include:

• Feeling detached from your body
• Having a distorted perception of time and space
• Experiencing altered perceptions and sensations
• Entering a dream-like state where thoughts may become distorted
• Emotional detachment

Some individuals describe a sense of mental clarity or expanded consciousness during IV ketamine for depression, especially treatment-resistant depression.

Wondering, how does ketamine therapy work?

Clinical studies show that ketamine infusion therapy for treatment-resistant depression and Major Depressive Disorder has a success rate as high as 70%. Many patients show rapid improvement after just their first or second IV ketamine treatment infusion.

You may be asking yourself, how does ketamine work?

Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments are administered at our certified ketamine clinic in Austin. The session will begin by getting you situated in a comfortable chair and your clinician will get you settled with the IV. Your clinician will inform you when the IV has started. The infusion lasts 40 minutes and the entire session takes about 90 minutes to complete.

IV ketamine therapy is an office-based, outpatient procedure.  The ketamine infusion lasts 40 minutes and the entire session takes about 90 minutes to complete. The session process will begin by getting you situated in a comfortable chair. Then, your clinician will inform you when the IV has started.

The first thing you will feel is a sense of relaxation of mind and/or body. You may then begin to feel slightly light or light-headed. Some people report a sense of feeling a slight warmth. Eventually, you may feel even lighter, almost a slight separation between yourself and your body. Your hands and legs may feel far away. Some people progressively feel more separation between themselves and the different components of consciousness (e.g., their thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and perception). Occasionally, people continue to progressively experience an even greater physical sensation of lightness – sometimes to the point of feeling above the room. Patients generally tolerate these sensations very well, reporting the experience as “spiritual” or “pleasurable.”

If someone is struggling with depression, anxiety, or rumination, this point is when they feel much less of and/or distant from these feelings. This experience is frequently described as an immense relief – like the blanket of depression has been temporarily lifted. This experience can also serve as a very hopeful reminder to patients that depression or anxiety does not define them. These conditions are separate from them, and as such, they can be temporary.

In rare cases, patients may have a more negative experience after receiving a ketamine intravenous injection. We have psychiatric professionals on-site to help manage these rare events, which are generally brief and usually resolve completely within 10-15 minutes after stopping the infusion.

Reach out today to learn more about the process during ketamine infusion treatments.

Initial ketamine infusion therapy for treatment-resistant depression consists of 6 IV ketamine treatments over the course of 3 weeks. The details of this protocol are discussed in detail during the initial evaluation. Infusion appointments generally take 90–120 minutes. If the symptoms are successfully controlled with these initial treatments, then follow-up evaluations will be conducted to determine long-term treatment plans.

Maintenance treatments for IV ketamine for depression usually consist of one infusion every 2-4 weeks.