Find My Therapist

TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Hope When Medications Haven’t Worked

Living with depression that doesn’t improve—despite trying multiple medications, therapy approaches, or lifestyle changes—can feel exhausting and deeply discouraging. Many people with treatment-resistant depression describe feeling stuck, hopeless, or burned out after years of pursuing different treatment options with minimal relief.

For individuals in this situation, TMS for treatment-resistant depression offers a promising, evidence-based alternative. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment that targets the brain directly rather than relying on systemic medication. At Kayenta in Las Vegas, we provide Deep TMS, an advanced form of TMS specifically designed to help people who haven’t adequately responded to traditional treatments.

TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression - Kayenta Therapy

What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)?

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is typically diagnosed when a person has tried two or more antidepressant medications—at adequate therapeutic doses and for sufficient duration—without experiencing meaningful improvement in their symptoms.

How TRD Affects Daily Life

Treatment-resistant depression can significantly impact every area of your life, including:

  • Motivation and energy levels that remain persistently low
  • Concentration, memory, and decision-making abilities
  • Relationships with family, friends, and colleagues
  • Work or school performance and career progression
  • Sleep quality and patterns
  • Appetite and eating habits
  • Overall ability to function and find enjoyment in daily activities

Over time, repeated treatment failures can lead to profound frustration, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion. It’s crucial to understand that TRD does not mean your depression is untreatable—it often simply means a different therapeutic approach is needed.

What Is TMS Therapy?

TMS therapy is a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment that uses precisely targeted magnetic pulses to activate specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. These brain regions—especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)—show significantly reduced activity in people experiencing depression.

Why Deep TMS at Kayenta?

At Kayenta in Las Vegas, we specialize in Deep TMS, which uses advanced coil technology to reach deeper brain structures and target larger areas associated with emotional processing and mood regulation. This deeper penetration often results in stronger outcomes for treatment-resistant depression compared to traditional TMS.

The Treatment Experience

During Deep TMS treatment:

  • A cushioned, specialized helmet is comfortably positioned on your head
  • Gentle magnetic pulses create a mild tapping or clicking sensation on the scalp
  • You remain fully awake, alert, and aware throughout the session
  • No anesthesia, sedation, or systemic medication is involved
  • Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes
  • You can drive yourself and return to normal activities immediately after each session

How TMS Helps with Treatment-Resistant Depression

In people with TRD, certain brain networks involved in mood regulation, motivation, and emotional processing don’t function optimally. TMS for treatment-resistant depression works by repeatedly stimulating these underactive brain regions over the course of treatment.

The Neurological Impact

Over time, this repeated stimulation:

  • Encourages the formation of healthier neural pathways and brain activity patterns
  • Helps rebalance mood-related brain circuits and neurotransmitter function
  • Supports improved emotional regulation, motivation, and energy levels
  • Promotes neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections

Evidence-Based Results

Extensive clinical research has demonstrated that many individuals with TRD experience significant symptom improvement with TMS therapy. Studies show:

  • Response rates of 50-60% for treatment-resistant depression
  • Remission rates of 30-40% (complete symptom resolution)
  • Lasting improvements for many patients, even after years of unsuccessful medication trials
  • Benefits that often continue beyond the treatment course

What to Expect from Deep TMS Therapy

Treatment Schedule

A typical course of Deep TMS at Kayenta includes:

  • 20–30 sessions total
  • Delivered over 4–6 weeks
  • Each session lasting approximately 20 minutes
  • Typically scheduled 5 days per week initially

The Sensation

Most patients describe the treatment sensation as mild tapping or rhythmic clicking on the scalp. While it may feel unusual at first, most people adjust quickly and find it becomes more comfortable after the first few sessions.

Timeline for Results

No downtime is required, allowing you to continue working or managing daily responsibilities throughout treatment. Many patients begin noticing mood improvements after 2–4 weeks of consistent treatment, with continued progress developing throughout the full course and often continuing after treatment completion.

Benefits of TMS for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Patients often choose TMS therapy because it offers:

Clinical Advantages:

  • Non-invasive and well-tolerated with minimal side effects
  • Effective when medications alone haven’t worked or have stopped working
  • Free from common medication side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or cognitive fog
  • No systemic effects since treatment targets specific brain areas

Practical Benefits:

  • Easy to fit into daily routines with short session times
  • No recovery time or impact on your ability to drive or work
  • Associated with improvements in mood, focus, energy, and emotional stability

For many people, TMS provides renewed hope and tangible relief after years of limited treatment options.

Combining TMS with Comprehensive Care

While TMS addresses the biological foundations of depression by rebalancing brain activity, combining it with other therapeutic supports can significantly strengthen and sustain your results.

Integrated Treatment Approach

At Kayenta, we offer both TMS and talk therapy services, allowing you to receive coordinated, comprehensive mental health care in one convenient location. Many patients achieve optimal outcomes by pairing TMS with:

Professional Support:

  • Psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, or other evidence-based approaches
  • Regular check-ins with mental health professionals

Lifestyle Support:

  • Establishing healthy sleep routines and consistent rest patterns
  • Balanced nutrition that supports brain health
  • Gentle physical activity tailored to your energy levels
  • Stress-management techniques and mindfulness practices
  • Strong social connections and support systems

As brain function improves with TMS, many patients find that talk therapy and lifestyle changes become easier to engage in and significantly more effective.

Is TMS Right for You?

You may want to explore TMS for treatment-resistant depression if you:

  • Haven’t experienced adequate improvement after trying multiple antidepressants
  • Experience intolerable or unacceptable medication side effects
  • Prefer or need a non-medication treatment option
  • Feel “stuck” despite genuine, consistent effort to feel better
  • Have been diagnosed with treatment-resistant or refractory depression
  • Are looking for an evidence-based alternative to medication

Getting Started at Kayenta

The process begins with a required TMS screening form, which can be completed:

  • Online through our website, or
  • By phone, where our receptionist will guide you through the questions

Next Steps: After submission, our psychiatrist carefully reviews your responses to determine if you may be a good candidate for TMS therapy. If you appear to be suitable, we’ll contact you to schedule a comprehensive TMS Evaluation appointment with our psychiatrist to confirm whether Deep TMS is appropriate for your specific situation.

While not everyone qualifies for TMS therapy, most people with treatment-resistant depression do meet the eligibility criteria.

Insurance Coverage

Kayenta currently accepts:

  • Aetna
  • United Healthcare
  • UMR

Additional insurance plans are being added regularly.

Our team will assist with insurance verification, pre-authorization, and helping you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is TMS different from ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)? Unlike ECT, TMS requires no anesthesia, causes no seizures, and has no recovery time. You remain fully awake and can resume normal activities immediately after each session.

Will my insurance cover TMS therapy? Many insurance plans now cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression. Our team will help verify your specific coverage and benefits.

What if I’m currently taking antidepressants? You can continue taking your current medications during TMS treatment. Many patients find TMS works well alongside their existing medication regimen.

Are the results from TMS permanent? Many patients experience lasting improvements for months or years after completing treatment. Some may benefit from occasional maintenance sessions.

Take the Next Step Toward Recovery

If you’ve been living with depression that hasn’t responded adequately to medications, it’s completely understandable to feel discouraged—but recovery is still possible. TMS for treatment-resistant depression offers a scientifically supported, non-invasive option that has helped countless people find meaningful relief after years of struggling with ineffective treatments.

At Kayenta in Las Vegas, we’re committed to helping individuals explore advanced treatment options with compassion, clinical expertise, and personalized care.

👉 Ready to explore your options? Complete our TMS screening form online or call our office at (702) 438-7800 to complete it by phone with our receptionist.

👉 What happens next: If appropriate based on your screening, we’ll reach out to schedule your TMS evaluation appointment and help you determine whether Deep TMS could be the right treatment approach for you.

You’re not out of options—and you don’t have to face this journey alone. Contact Kayenta in Las Vegas today to discover how TMS therapy can offer new hope for lasting relief from treatment-resistant depression.