Your psychiatrist or GP may have already raised TMS as an option, or you came across it while researching alternatives to your current treatment. Either way, “magnetic pulses to the brain” isn’t a phrase most people encounter every day, and it’s reasonable to want clear, specific answers before deciding whether it’s worth pursuing: what the sessions actually involve, whether it’s safe, how much of it Medicare will cover, and how it fits around work and daily life.
This guide sets out exactly how TMS treatment works, what a typical course looks like from referral through to your final session, and the benefits and risks worth weighing up, so you can make an informed decision with your treating team.
What Is TMS Treatment?
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses magnetic pulses to treat depression and certain other mental health conditions. It uses repeated magnetic pulses, a method often referred to as rTMS treatment (repetitive TMS) — to activate or regulate brain centres associated with depression and related conditions.
Unlike Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), TMS treatment doesn’t require sedation, doesn’t induce a seizure, and involves no recovery period. Patients can typically resume normal activities, including driving, straight after each session. It’s also different from medication in that it works directly on brain circuits rather than altering brain chemistry systemically throughout the body.
How Does TMS Treatment Work?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation works by delivering repeated magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. In the case of depression, this is typically the left side of the prefrontal cortex.
Rather than flooding the brain with chemicals the way antidepressant medication does, TMS therapy directly targets the neural circuits believed to be involved in the condition being treated. The magnetic pulses stimulate the brain and encourage neuroplasticity — the brain’s natural ability to repair and rebuild connections between nerve cells. Over a course of sessions, this process can help restore healthier patterns of brain activity, easing symptoms without the systemic side effects associated with oral medication.
Because the treatment is localised, it can also be used alongside a patient’s existing medication or psychotherapy, rather than requiring one to be stopped in favour of the other.
What to Expect: The TMS Treatment Process
For Australian patients considering rTMS treatment, the process generally follows these steps:
- Referral and assessment. Treatment begins with a referral from a GP or private psychiatrist, followed by an assessment with a TMS psychiatrist to confirm suitability.
- First session and calibration. During the initial session, the treating team maps the correct treatment location and calibrates the magnetic pulse intensity for the individual.
- The treatment session itself. Each session takes place in an outpatient setting. The patient sits in a chair, fully awake, while a magnetic coil positioned near the scalp delivers pulses to the targeted brain region. There’s no anaesthesia and no downtime. Most people can drive themselves home or return to work afterwards.
- Course length. A standard course of TMS therapy generally runs across a number of weeks. Under Medicare, eligible patients can access 35 sessions as part of a fully covered treatment course.
- Maintenance sessions. Some patients benefit from occasional “top-up” or maintenance sessions after completing the initial course, to help sustain results over time.
Benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Treatment
TMS treatment offers several advantages over more invasive or medication-based approaches:
- Non-invasive and medication-free — no anaesthesia, no hospital admission, no surgical intervention.
- No systemic side effects — unlike antidepressants, TMS therapy doesn’t typically cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or ongoing fatigue.
- Can be combined with existing treatment — TMS can be used alongside current medication or psychotherapy rather than replacing them outright.
- Immediate recovery — patients can resume daily activities straight after each session, with no recuperation period.
- Evidence-based outcomes — research has shown that many patients experience significant improvement, and remission is possible for a substantial proportion of people with treatment-resistant depression.
Risks and Side Effects of TMS Therapy
TMS treatment is generally well tolerated, though as with any medical treatment, some side effects are possible.
The most commonly reported side effects are mild and short-lived, including headaches, scalp discomfort at the treatment site, and fatigue. Some patients also report unusually vivid dreams during their course of treatment.
Seizures are extremely rare and are considered one of the least common serious side effects of TMS when appropriate screening protocols are followed. Importantly, there is no clinical evidence that TMS causes memory loss — a key point of difference from ECT, which carries a higher risk of memory-related side effects due to its more invasive nature.
Is TMS Treatment Safe?
TMS treatment is considered safe and well tolerated when performed by trained clinicians. It has been approved for depression in many countries and doesn’t require anaesthesia or surgery. Before treatment begins, patients undergo an assessment to ensure the therapy is appropriate and to minimise potential risks.
Who Is TMS Suitable For and Who Is Not
TMS treatment is most commonly used to treat clinical depression, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), postnatal depression, and the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. It is also used, with growing evidence, for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic pain.
In Australia, eligible patients can access TMS treatment through Medicare, provided they have a referral from a GP or psychiatrist and complete an initial psychiatric assessment. WorkCover and DVA funding pathways may also apply, depending on individual circumstances.
Who Should Avoid TMS Therapy
TMS treatment isn’t suitable for everyone, however. Certain physical and medical factors can rule it out, or require closer assessment before proceeding, including:
- Certain metal implants in or near the head, such as aneurysm clips or cochlear implants
- Implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers, deep brain stimulators, or other implanted medical devices
- Certain neurological conditions, such as a history of seizures or epilepsy
A TMS psychiatrist will review your full medical history during the assessment stage to confirm whether TMS treatment is a safe and appropriate option for you.
How TMS HUBB Can Help With Your Treatment
Deciding to explore TMS treatment is a significant step, and choosing the right clinic matters just as much as choosing the right treatment. TMS HUBB operates dedicated clinics across Brisbane, Stones Corner, and Loganholme, with experienced TMS psychiatrists guiding patients through every stage, from initial assessment to ongoing maintenance care. Our team manages the Medicare referral process, works alongside your existing GP or psychiatrist, and tailors each treatment course to your individual circumstances, so you’re never navigating it alone.
If you’re ready to find out whether TMS treatment is right for you, book an appointment at your nearest TMS HUBB clinic, or speak with your GP about a referral today. Our team is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.
FAQs About TMS Treatment
Q1. How long does TMS treatment take to work?
Ans. Many patients begin to notice improvements within the first one to two weeks of treatment, though this varies by individual. A full course, generally delivered over several weeks, is typically needed to assess overall effectiveness.
Q2. Is TMS treatment covered by Medicare in Australia?
Ans. Yes. You may qualify for 35 Medicare-funded TMS sessions if you’re diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and meet the following criteria:
- You are at least 18 years old
- You have been diagnosed with a major depressive episode
- You have unsuccessfully tried at least two different classes of antidepressant medication for this depressive episode, unless contraindicated.
- You have undergone psychological therapy, unless deemed inappropriate
- You have not previously received rTMS treatment in any public or private setting
Eligibility is confirmed through a referral and assessment with a TMS psychiatrist, which usually carries a one-off out-of-pocket consultation fee.
Q3. Is TMS therapy painful?
Ans. TMS treatment is not painful for most patients, though some describe a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp during the session. Mild headache or scalp discomfort afterwards is the most commonly reported effect.
Q4. How long do the effects of TMS treatment last?
Ans. Many patients experience lasting benefits after completing a full course. Some choose to continue with periodic maintenance sessions to help sustain results over the longer term.
Q5. Can TMS therapy be combined with medication or psychotherapy?
Ans. Yes. TMS therapy is often used alongside existing antidepressant medication or psychotherapy, and treatment teams typically coordinate with a patient’s broader mental health care.
Q6. What happens if TMS treatment doesn’t work for me?
Ans. Response to treatment varies between individuals. If TMS doesn’t achieve the expected results, the treating team will discuss alternative options and next steps as part of ongoing care.
Q7. How many TMS sessions will I need?
Ans. Most Medicare-funded courses involve up to 35 sessions delivered over several weeks. The exact number and schedule depend on individual clinical assessment and response to treatment.