When Medication Isn't Enough — There Is Another Way.
rTMS

Yes. rTMS received FDA clearance for major depressive disorder in 2008, OCD in 2018, and major depressive disorder with anxious features in 2021. These represent decades of clinical research and real-world evidence. Established clinical protocols also exist for PTSD and ADHD, and the evidence base for these conditions continues to grow.

Daily sessions (Monday to Friday) are not a scheduling preference — they are fundamental to how rTMS works. The therapeutic effect is cumulative and depends on consistent, repeated stimulation of the targeted brain circuits over time. The brain requires this regular stimulus to undergo the neuroplastic changes that produce lasting improvement. Attending fewer sessions per week significantly reduces efficacy. This is why we are honest about scheduling before treatment begins — if the timing isn’t right in your life right now, waiting until it is will produce better outcomes than starting when you can’t commit fully.

There is no fixed number of sessions that applies to every patient. Your protocol is designed by your clinician based on your specific condition, symptom severity, and how your brain responds to stimulation. A typical course runs 20–36 sessions over 4–7 weeks — but your clinician determines the right length for you. This is one of the reasons a proper clinical assessment before starting rTMS is so important.

Regression is possible — some patients find symptoms return months or even years after completing an initial rTMS course. This is normal and nothing to be discouraged by. A top-up course of rTMS typically restores the improvement relatively quickly, because the brain has already demonstrated its ability to respond. The response tends to be reproducible — patients who did well initially usually do well again. Many people manage their condition long-term with periodic top-up courses, which they find preferable to daily medication.

You sit in a comfortable chair, fully awake. A treatment coil is positioned against your scalp at the target location. You’ll feel a tapping sensation and hear a clicking sound from the magnetic pulses. Most patients describe mild to moderate scalp discomfort that reduces significantly after the first few sessions as you become accustomed to the sensation. There is no pain beyond this. You can read, listen to audio, or rest during the session — and drive yourself home or return to work straight afterwards.

rTMS has no systemic side effects — nothing enters your body. The most common experience is mild scalp discomfort or a tension headache immediately after a session, particularly in the first week. This typically reduces as treatment continues. The risk of seizure is very low — estimated at approximately 1 in 10,000 sessions. Your clinical assessment will identify any factors that could increase this already very small risk.

We strongly recommend a psychiatric assessment before starting rTMS — and in many cases it is required. An assessment confirms your diagnosis, ensures rTMS is appropriate for your presentation, identifies any contraindications, and allows your clinician to design the right protocol for you. If you don’t have an established psychiatric diagnosis, our team can help arrange an assessment through MSQ Health’s mental health service.

This varies between patients and conditions. Many people maintain meaningful improvement for 12 months or more. Unlike medication — whose effect typically stops when you stop taking it — rTMS produces neuroplastic changes in the brain that can persist beyond the treatment period. If symptoms return, repeat courses of rTMS are safe and well-tolerated, and often show a strong response because the brain has already demonstrated its capacity to respond.

Cover for rTMS varies by insurer and policy. We recommend contacting your health insurer to confirm your specific cover before starting treatment. Our team can provide the procedure codes and clinical documentation your insurer requires. Contact us and we will help navigate this process.

Yes — rTMS has a higher upfront cost than the standard medication pathway, and we are always transparent about this. A full rTMS course is a meaningful investment.

However, many patients and clinicians find that when you weigh the total picture — reduced or eliminated ongoing medication costs, fewer medication review appointments, reduced side effect burden, and most importantly, the genuine improvement in day-to-day quality of life — the investment is well justified. Living well, and not managing around medication side effects, is worth something that doesn’t always show up in a simple cost comparison.

Yes — for funded rTMS, a GP/Specialist referral is required. This also ensures your GP/Specialist is informed and your care is properly coordinated. 

If you are self-funding, no referral is required.

Contact our team, and we can guide you on how to obtain a referral efficiently.

We can get an rTMS Psychiatrist to give you an initial consultation.  Contact us today and our team will confirm the earliest available appointment.

Your initial consultation can often be arranged via telehealth, meaning you can get expert advice from home before attending in person for your examination.