TMS Process
Step 1
Contact us for your free screening to see if TMS is right for you:
You can either fill out our contact form here or call, text or email us. Then we will gather basic demographic information and ask you screening questions to make sure you don’t have any contraindications and ensure that the TMS is appropriate for your condition.
Step 2
Gathering data:
We will send you electronic intake forms to start gathering the data that insurance companies require for them to cover TMS such as documentation of past medications and therapy. We will need to get your written consent for us to get records from your psychiatrist, therapist and pharmacy. You can go ahead and ask your providers for this (and signed the needed consent forms) to expedite the process.
Step 3
Pre-treatment consult with Dr. Richesin:
In this session, usually done by video conference, Dr. Richesin will document your symptoms, functioning, psychiatric, medical and social history and answer any questions you have about TMS.
Step 4
Mapping and initial TMS session:
In this session, Dr. Richesin will determine the personalized settings for your TMS, including the best placement for the magnetic coil and the appropriate power level for the magnetic pulsing. This usually takes about 30 minutes. Once you have been successfully mapped, then we proceed with the first treatment session. For most patients this takes about 19 minutes. During treatment you can relax in the chair and watch TV or listen to music or an audio book. After the procedure you can immediately return to your usual daily activities including driving.
Step 5
TMS sessions:
TMS is traditionally done for 36 sessions, each lasting about 20 minutes on average, Monday-Friday for 6 weeks then a taper over three weeks. We assess your symptoms and adjust the treatment as needed during the process.
Step 6
After-care:
With your permission, we will send a letter to your provider documenting your response to TMS. As depression is often a recurrent illness, we would ask that you monitor yourself for symptoms. If you start seeing the depression returning, then insurance will often cover another course of TMS. Please contact us to start the process again.
Would you like to know more?
At Magnetic Hope, your care is our highest priority. We are dedicated to providing you with all the necessary tools and information that will make your TMS therapy in Birmingham, Alabama as comfortable and effective as possible. Our friendly staff is available to address any of your questions or concerns every step of the way.
Magnetic Hope TMS Therapy Specialists