TMS therapy at Villa Wellness Center is FDA-cleared transcranial magnetic stimulation for adults with major depressive disorder, including those with co-occurring substance use disorder. Sessions are brief, non-invasive, and drug-free. We work with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, and most major plans; call (844) 609-3035 to verify benefits.
TMS therapy
Who TMS therapy is for
TMS therapy at Villa is for adults whose depression has not adequately responded to antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, or both. The FDA has cleared TMS for major depressive disorder and several related conditions, and it is most commonly recommended for patients who have completed at least one course of antidepressant treatment without sufficient relief.
Adults who often benefit from TMS include those with treatment-resistant depression, those experiencing significant medication side effects, and those with co-occurring substance use disorder whose depression has persisted into recovery. TMS does not treat addiction directly. For patients with both depression and substance use disorder, TMS is delivered under its FDA-cleared depression indication, alongside the rest of the addiction treatment program.
Treatment-resistant depression describes major depressive disorder that has not adequately responded to at least one full course of antidepressant medication. Most insurers require documentation of two or more antidepressant trials from different classes, plus an adequate trial of psychotherapy, before authorizing TMS. Our team helps you gather and submit the documentation insurers ask for during the authorization process.
A clinical assessment with our team determines whether TMS is the right next step, including a review of medical history, current medications, and any contraindications such as ferromagnetic implants in or near the head, certain seizure-history conditions, or other factors that significantly lower the seizure threshold.
WHY CHOOSE US
How TMS therapy at Villa is integrated
TMS at The Villa Wellness Center is delivered as part of the integrated outpatient program rather than as a standalone clinic. The work is overseen by medical director Dr. Courtney Scott, MD, and coordinated with the rest of the clinical team so that prescribed medication, therapy, and group programming all move in the same direction during a course of TMS.
The decision to start TMS is made jointly with you and the clinical team after a full diagnostic assessment. Once a treatment course begins, sessions are scheduled across the week and reviewed at regular clinical check-ins. Therapy and group programming continue alongside TMS, and the clinical team adjusts the broader plan as symptoms shift.
Your first TMS appointment includes a clinical screening for contraindications and a brief motor-threshold mapping session, where the technician identifies the lowest level of stimulation that causes a small finger twitch. That motor threshold sets the stimulation intensity for your individual treatment course. The mapping itself is brief; subsequent sessions begin treatment directly.
what we offer
How TMS therapy works
TMS uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation, primarily the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The pulses pass painlessly through the scalp and skull to activate neural pathways that are often underactive in depression. Over a course of treatment, this stimulation can help restore healthier patterns of brain activity.
A session typically lasts under 40 minutes, with some FDA-cleared protocols completing in 20 minutes or less. You remain awake and seated throughout, no anesthesia or sedation is involved, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward. A standard course of TMS for depression runs across several weeks with multiple sessions per week, with total course length set by clinical response.
The most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort or a tapping sensation during the session, and occasional headache afterward. TMS does not carry the systemic side effects associated with antidepressant medication, which is one reason it is often considered after medication trials.
During the session itself, you sit in a reclining chair and the technician positions a treatment coil against your scalp. The coil delivers a series of brief magnetic pulses over the targeted brain region; you hear a clicking sound and feel a tapping sensation. You can read, watch something on a screen, or simply rest during the session. Treatment ends when the prescribed pulse count for that session is complete.
TMS therapy vs. antidepressant medication
The most common question from patients considering TMS is how it compares to antidepressant medication as a depression treatment. Both are FDA-cleared approaches for major depressive disorder; the right choice depends on prior treatment response, side-effect tolerance, and clinical preference.
TMS is often considered when medication has not provided sufficient relief or when medication side effects have made adherence difficult. Many patients use both, with TMS delivered as an adjunctive treatment alongside continued medication. The decision is made jointly with the prescribing clinician based on clinical history and treatment response. Medication management and support can greatly enhance the effectiveness of TMS. By ensuring that patients are on the right medications and dosages, the overall treatment experience can be optimized.
Related programs and services at Villa Wellness
Insurance coverage for TMS therapy
Most commercial insurance covers TMS for FDA-cleared indications such as major depressive disorder, typically after documented prior antidepressant trials and with prior authorization. Coverage scope and patient cost depend on the specific plan, the diagnosis being treated, and any prior trials of antidepressant medication or psychotherapy that the insurer requires before authorizing TMS.
Most insurance authorizations for TMS require documentation of prior antidepressant trials, often two or more from different medication classes, plus an adequate trial of psychotherapy. Our admissions team helps coordinate the records and forms each carrier needs and submits the prior-authorization request on your behalf. Authorization decisions typically take several business days, with continued-stay reviews scheduled across the treatment course.
We verify your benefits before treatment begins, free of charge. Call (844) 609-3035 to start verification, or use the form on this page.
If your plan does not cover TMS or authorizes only part of a course, our admissions team can discuss self-pay options and financing.
Plans we work with: Aetna · Anthem BCBS · Cigna · United Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
Dr. Courtney Scott
Medical Director
Dr. Courtney Scott
Medical Director
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Courtney Scott, MD. Board-eligible in Addiction Medicine, Medical Director at Villa Wellness Center. For full bio visit our team page.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current American Music Therapy Association practice standards.
What is TMS therapy?
TMS, or transcranial magnetic stimulation, is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is most commonly used for adults with depression that has not responded to medication or psychotherapy.
Is TMS therapy approved for addiction treatment?
Not directly. TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder, and short-term smoking cessation, but not for substance use disorder more broadly. For adults with co-occurring depression and substance use disorder, TMS is delivered under its FDA-cleared depression indication, alongside the rest of the addiction treatment program.
How does TMS therapy work?
TMS uses magnetic pulses to activate neural pathways in brain regions involved in mood regulation, primarily the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Over a course of treatment, this stimulation can help restore healthier patterns of brain activity in patients with depression.
Is TMS therapy painful?
Most people tolerate TMS well. The most common sensations during a session are a tapping or knocking on the scalp and mild discomfort that usually decreases after the first few sessions. Some people experience a brief headache afterward.
How long does a TMS session take?
A session typically lasts under 40 minutes, with some FDA-cleared protocols completing in 20 minutes or less. You remain awake and seated, and can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.
How many TMS sessions are needed?
A standard course of TMS for depression runs across several weeks with multiple sessions per week. The total number of sessions and the overall length of the course are set by clinical response and the protocol being used.
Does TMS replace antidepressant medication?
Not necessarily. TMS is drug-free and does not require medication to be effective, but many patients continue prescribed medication alongside TMS as part of an integrated treatment plan. The decision is made jointly with you and the prescribing clinician.
Does insurance cover TMS therapy?
In most cases, yes, for FDA-cleared indications. Most commercial insurance covers TMS for major depressive disorder with prior authorization, and we verify your benefits free of charge before treatment begins. Coverage depends on your specific plan and diagnosis.
Start TMS Therapy in Sicklerville
If you are interested in learning whether TMS therapy may be right for you, call (844) 609-3035 to speak with our admissions team or use the form on this page to verify your benefits. Our team can answer your questions, discuss treatment options, and help determine if TMS therapy is an appropriate part of your care plan. Consultations and treatment assessments can often be scheduled within days of your initial contact.