Professional Referrals
TMS – or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation – is increasingly becoming the go-to treatment for those suffering from depression.
Many mental health professionals are using TMS in tandem with their current treatment plans for depression in their clients.
As a new treatment, there are many questions still surrounding the topic:
Does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation work with current medications?
Does TMS work with psychotherapies?
How does Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation work with my practice if I refer a client that’s currently receiving treatment?
Read below for answers to these and other questions, or call us at 310-878-4346 to speak with one of our experts.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that doesn’t require anesthesia and is done in an office setting. Using a coil, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation uses magnetic fields to stimulate areas of the brain. Around one-third of patients see a full remission and 76% have a significant remission of their depressive symptoms.
Each session lasts around eighteen minutes and the patient merely sits wearing a helmet that contains an electric coil that sends small, electromagnetic pulses to areas in the brain that regulate mood. It is FDA approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder.
There is an in-depth consultation process at Pulse TMS. We assess each client for medical necessity, talk to the patient about what Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is, what it does, and what they can expect from start to finish. We calibrate the machinery for a bespoke performance that’s tailored one hundred percent to the patient’s needs. We examine the patient’s goals and how they align with what results Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ultimately delivers. We work with patients insurance companies to obtain authorization to ensure they have coverage through their benefits.
Many doctors wonder if Pulse TMS works with their practice if they refer a client that is already receiving treatment. The short answer is yes; we coordinate care with the patient’s primary practitioners by updating them three times throughout the treatment with what their prescription is as well as a graph of their progress using the PHQ-9 scale.
Another question we frequently get asked is if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works with current medications. And again, the short answer is yes. Medications are taken into account during the consultation and the patient’s treatment plan is created to work alongside medications. Pulse TMS does require, however, that if any changes are going to be made to a patient’s medication regimen that we be notified. Medications can affect the motor threshold and we want to ensure the patient is receiving the most efficacious treatment possible.
Ready to Find Out More Information for Your Patient? Contact us here or give us a call at 310-878-4346
Some doctors often ask us if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works with psychotherapies. Once again, the answer is yes. In fact, we encourage all of our clients to obtain psychotherapy while in treatment because studies are starting to show that receiving psychotherapy in conjunction with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can actually increase a patient’s response to treatment.
The same answer can be had for another popular question, which is “how does Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation compliment the treatment plan I already have with my patient?” Simply put, we will all be working together on the patient’s health as a team, making sure that the client is receiving the best and most efficacious treatment plan from both treatment providers.
A further question on many doctors’ minds is if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation somehow hinders the progress already being made with their patients in their treatment plan. The answer here is no; we believe strongly in coordinating care with our patient’s care team. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has a positive influence on a patient’s progress – but if, for any reason, it seems to hinder their progress or is in any way detrimental to their mental health, we discontinue treatment immediately.
Another question that is asked frequently by medical professionals is how Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can affect a patient if they are already being treated for co-occurring disorders on top of their depression diagnosis. This boils down to what the co-occurring disorder is. Some co-occurring disorders are helped or can be treated with off-label treatments with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in conjunction with the MDD protocol. Conversely, other co-occurring disorders might be diagnosed that are simply not compatible with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. But it’s something we need to be aware of first before we can figure out the next steps.
Many doctors are understandably curious as to the ongoing support that occurs before, during, and after Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment. They ask if Pulse TMS works directly with the referring professionals or if the treatments are separate. We update them on progress and updates on medication changes/recommendations. They also ask if they can help with the brain mapping. In that case, if they are not certified, we ask that they allow a professional to handle the brain mapping.
Finally, medical professionals ask what post-treatment support services we currently offer and what that looks like. We follow up in person with the patient one month after they have completed Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation treatment and follow up again every thirty days thereafter for six months. From then on we see them for quarterly follow-ups. It’s also not uncommon for patients to get booster sessions from time to time.
Pulse TMS works with you and your patient to become part of the team that is focused on their health and well-being. We look forward to establishing long, healthy, and successful relationships with each of you as your patients find the peace of mind that has long been denied to them.
