Frequently Asked Questions

TMS uses a specialized magnetic coil placed gently against the scalp to deliver focused magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain. These pulses are similar in strength to those used in an MRI and safely pass through the skull to stimulate the brain cells beneath.

By repeatedly stimulating brain regions involved in mood, cognition, and other functions, TMS can help strengthen or regulate activity within the brain networks associated with your symptoms. Over a course of treatment, these changes in brain activity and connectivity can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in symptoms.

The specific areas targeted and type of stimulation used are individualized based on the condition being treated and your prescribed treatment protocol.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, medication-free treatment that uses targeted magnetic stimulation to influence areas of the brain involved in mood, cognition, and other important functions.

TMS is performed while you are awake and seated comfortably, with no anesthesia, sedation, or recovery time required. Treatment is well tolerated by most people and allows you to return to your usual activities immediately afterward.

Originally developed and approved for the treatment of depression, TMS is now supported by a growing body of research across a range of mental health, neurological, and cognitive conditions.

No. You do not need a physician referral to access TMS at Optimind and can contact us directly to get started.

All of our clinic physicians have specialized training and certification in TMS, with TMS included within their scope of practice through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. Before treatment, one of our physicians will complete a medical assessment to determine whether TMS is safe and appropriate for you and, if so, prescribe your individualized treatment.

Our physicians’ role is specific to your TMS care. Your family physician, psychiatrist, and other healthcare providers remain responsible for your ongoing medical and mental health care, including medication management and longer-term follow-up. With your consent, we are happy to communicate and collaborate with your existing care team to support continuity of care throughout treatment and beyond.

If you are a healthcare provider looking to refer a patient to Optimind, please feel free to contact our clinic directly or complete our Physician Referral Form below.

No. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and TMS should not be considered a cure or replacement for appropriate medical care.

However, there is growing research into the use of TMS to support memory and cognitive function in people experiencing cognitive decline, including those with mild cognitive impairment and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have explored whether stimulating brain regions involved in memory and cognition may help improve or preserve certain cognitive abilities and symptoms.

At Optimind, we offer individualized TMS protocols for memory and cognitive concerns where clinically appropriate. Our clinic physician reviews each individual’s diagnosis, symptoms, medical history, and goals to determine whether TMS may be a suitable option as part of their care.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation has been studied by researchers for 20 plus years. TMS Therapy is well tolerated and has been shown to be safe in clinical trials. The most common adverse event associated with TMS therapy is scalp pain and discomfort, generally mild to moderate.
Occasional muscle twitches (during treatment) or headache may occur. Should headache occur it can be treated with over-the-counter ibuprofen.

Some clients experience mild fatigue post-treatment.
The incidence of any of these adverse events declines markedly after the first week of treatment.

The only serious side effect or risk associated with TMS treatment is seizure, which is rare at less than 1%.

TMS is safe and appropriate for most people, with relatively few conditions that prevent someone from receiving treatment.

The primary contraindication is certain types of ferromagnetic metal or implanted electronic devices in or near the head, such as some aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, or metallic fragments. Common dental work, including fillings, braces, and dental implants, is generally safe. A history of seizures or epilepsy may require additional assessment but does not automatically exclude someone from treatment.

Suicidal thoughts are also not, on their own, a contraindication to TMS. However, someone experiencing active suicidal intent with a plan requires a higher level of acute care than our outpatient clinic can safely provide. If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency department, or call or text 9-8-8 for 24/7 crisis support.

Every client is medically screened by our clinic physician before treatment to ensure TMS is safe and appropriate for them. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, reach out for a complimentary consultation with our team.

Yes. There’s no sedation and no recovery time, so you can return to your normal day immediately, including driving, work, or activities.

TMS does not require any scheduled recovery time, and you can drive, work, or return to your usual activities immediately after a session. However, some people do experience fatigue during treatment, particularly with accelerated protocols involving multiple sessions per day. If you feel tired, we encourage you to listen to your body and make time for rest and quality sleep. Rest can help support the brain’s natural processes involved in adapting to and consolidating the changes occurring during treatment.

TMS is non-invasive, but it is something most people can feel. As the magnetic pulses pass through the scalp, they can stimulate the muscles and nerves beneath the coil, resulting in a tapping or pulsing sensation. This can feel strange at first, but your technician will gradually work up to your prescribed treatment intensity based on your comfort level, and most people find it becomes easier to tolerate over the first several sessions. There is no sedation or recovery time, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.

Your first TMS appointment typically takes 30-45 minutes to allow enough time for measurements, treatment targeting, determining your personalized treatment dose, and any questions for your technician. After this initial setup, most appointments only take around 10 minutes and consist of a brief check-in followed by the TMS treatment. The stimulation itself is often less than five minutes, although treatment times can vary depending on your individualized protocol.

To learn more about what treatment may look like for your specific symptoms and goals, reach out to book a complimentary consultation with our team.

TMS protocols run either once a day over a six to seven-week period, or condensed over five days. Your physician recommends the protocol best suited to you.

Yes. Optimind offers an accelerated TMS program that allows a full course of 30-35 treatments to be completed over just five days rather than the traditional seven weeks.

Our accelerated program is informed by the research behind accelerated TMS protocols, including SAINT, and delivers six to seven carefully spaced treatments per day over five consecutive days. Treatment is individualized and prescribed by our clinic physician based on your symptoms, history, and treatment goals.

Accelerated TMS can be an excellent option for those looking for a more intensive treatment schedule, are from out of town, or who find it difficult to commit to daily appointments over several weeks. We offer complimentary consultations to help determine whether accelerated or standard TMS may be the best fit for you.

A typical course of TMS consists of approximately 30–35 treatment sessions. At Optimind, treatment can be completed through either a standard or accelerated schedule.

Standard TMS is typically delivered once per day, five days per week, over approximately six to seven weeks. For those who are eligible for accelerated TMS, the same course of treatment can be condensed into just five days, with six to seven carefully spaced sessions per day.

Your treatment schedule and protocol are individualized and prescribed by our clinic physician based on your symptoms, treatment history, and goals.

TMS is a safe, effective, and strongly-recommended treatment for Major Depression according to the highly respected Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety guidelines (2016) which state:

More than 30 systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been conducted on rTMS in depression, with most studies involving patients with some degree of treatment resistance (i.e., having failed at least 1 or 2 antidepressant trials). Overall, rTMS is considered a first-line treatment for MDD for patients who have failed at least 1 antidepressant treatment.

Importantly, TMS is also an excellent choice if you prefer to try a non-medication treatment first.

Yes, the benefits of TMS can be long-lasting. Research in depression, where TMS has been studied most extensively, shows that treatment benefits can be sustained over time, with many people maintaining their response or remission after completing a course of treatment.

How long results last varies from person to person and can depend on the condition being treated, the severity and recurrence of symptoms, and other individual factors. Some people remain well after a single course of treatment, while others benefit from occasional maintenance or “top-up” sessions to help sustain their progress.

Following treatment, we continue to monitor your symptoms and can recommend maintenance treatment if and when it is needed.

TMS may be covered through several funding and reimbursement options. Treatment is covered by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) for eligible Veterans and may also be covered through WorkSafeBC when approved as part of an eligible claim.

Coverage through extended health insurance varies between providers and individual plans, so we recommend checking directly with your insurer. As a physician-prescribed medical treatment, TMS is also eligible for reimbursement through a Health Spending Account (HSA) and as an eligible medical expense for income tax purposes.

Our team is happy to help you navigate your coverage options and provide any documentation or receipts you may need.

Unfortunately, TMS is not currently covered by British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP).

This lack of coverage is not a reflection of TMS being new or experimental. TMS has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of depression since 2002 and is now an established treatment used throughout Canada and internationally. Several Canadian provinces provide public access to TMS, and in the United States, treatment is widely covered by major health insurers, including Medicare.

In fact, BC’s own Health Technology Assessment Committee recommended public funding for TMS in the treatment of depression in 2022. Despite this recommendation, TMS has yet to receive provincial funding in British Columbia.

The cost of treatment depends on the course of treatment pursued. For details, see our Fee Schedule.