Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or TMS is a safe and effective, non-invasive treatment for depression and OCD. TMS brings meaningful benefit to the majority of patients, even those who have had little to no relief from medications or psychotherapy. Most patients begin to feel better in weeks.

TMS should be considered for all patients with treatment resistant depression and not as a last resort. TMS is even more effective when used earlier in the course of illness before severe treatment resistance emerges.

TMS is NOT electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). During TMS the patient is awake and alert the whole time and can drive to and from the appointment. TMS produces no cognitive side effects, no loss of memory, nor does it cause the side effects sometimes found with antidepressants, such as weight gain, sexual side effects, fatigue, dry mouth or insomnia. There are NO systemic side effects with TMS.

TMS treatment consists of placing an electromagnetic coil to the head. A pulsed magnetic field is directed to a key region of the brain regulating mood called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Repeated activation of this region over recurring sessions strengthens and restores the function of the DLPFC and connected brain regions. For the patient, this enhanced functioning of the brain translates into better control of both mood and thought patterns, lifting the disabling symptoms of depression and promoting long-term recovery. For treatment resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), the region of the brain called the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) is targeted.

After a consultation appointment, outpatient treatment typically consists of 29-36 sessions. The TMS machine that we use is the most versatile TMS machine available and is used at top research facilities. Most TMS machines currently in use in the United States take 20 minutes to deliver an FDA cleared treatment session. Our TMS machine can deliver an FDA cleared treatment session in 3 minutes, greatly reducing the time commitment of the patient over the standard six weeks of treatment. We can also administer multiple treatments in one day, shortening the number of weeks necessary to complete the treatment. Dr. Dansereau has received additional training in TMS, including completing a visiting Fellowship in TMS at Duke University and completing training with the originator of TMS in psychiatry, Mark George, M.D. at MUSC.

There are no restrictions on driving or other routine activities following a session. Your outpatient treatment will occur at our office location in Uptown New Orleans.

We have a dedicated insurance authorization and billing team that helps maximize a patient’s insurance coverage. We also are, at the time of this writing, the only TMS provider in Louisiana that is a participating provider for Medicare for TMS. We also offer a significant discount to those not using insurance.

If you are currently receiving medication or psychotherapy from another provider, you can continue to be under that provider’s care while you receive TMS from us.