TMS Therapy for Depression at the Center for Psychiatric Wellness offers a non-invasive, drug-free solution for treatment-resistant depression. Free consultations are available without a referral for anyone seeking relief when standard antidepressants have failed.
per session with NeuroStar is shorter than many protocols
make up a full treatment course over approximately 7 weeks
is the meaningful clinical response rate in treatment-resistant depression
of patients achieve full remission after completing a standard TMS course
Depression is not just sadness. When medications have not worked enough, the symptom pattern often includes a mix of emotional, cognitive, and physical features that disrupt daily function.
Symptom Domain
Persistent low mood
Loss of interest or pleasure
Fatigue and low energy
Poor concentration and brain fog
Sleep problems
Appetite and weight change
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Suicidal thoughts
Common impact on daily life
Feeling sad, empty, or irritable nearly every day. Family members notice you seem flat or angry more often than not.
Hobbies, social plans, even seeing close family feel like obligations or chores. Nothing feels genuinely enjoyable.
Simple tasks—showering, cooking, answering emails—feel exhausting. You wake up tired even after a full night’s sleep.
Reading a paragraph takes two or three attempts. Work performance slips. You lose your train of thought midsentence.
Trouble falling asleep, waking up at 3 AM unable to go back down, or sleeping twelve hours and still feeling unrefreshed.
Significant weight loss without trying, or weight gain from emotional eating. Both patterns are common in TRD.
Ruminating on past mistakes. Feeling like a burden to family. Believing you are fundamentally broken or unfixable.
Passive thoughts like “I don’t want to wake up” or active planning. Any suicidal thinking requires immediate clinical evaluation.
If you recognize several of these domains and antidepressants have not resolved them, TMS may be appropriate.
Standard antidepressants work systemically, increasing serotonin availability throughout your entire brain and body, which often causes side effects like nausea, weight gain, and emotional blunting. Unlike oral medications, NeuroStar advanced TMS therapy works locally by utilizing a magnetic coil to deliver focused, MRI-strength pulses directly to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
This specific brain region consistently shows reduced activity in neuroimaging studies of individuals with major depressive disorder. These targeted pulses safely stimulate the underactive neurons without pain or incisions, strengthening the neural pathways over several weeks of daily 19-minute sessions to restore normal mood regulation.
Think of it like physical therapy for an underactive brain region. One session does not fix the problem. But daily stimulation across several weeks strengthens the neural pathways that have been dormant, allowing normal mood regulation to return.
TMS is not a one-time procedure. It is a course of treatment that requires commitment. The standard protocol is five sessions per week for approximately seven weeks, totaling 36 sessions.
Call (479) 831-6007 to schedule a no-cost discussion. You will speak with a team member about your depression history, what medications you have tried, and whether TMS is a reasonable fit. No obligation.
You meet with Dr. Rachel Fiori, MD, or one of the psychiatric nurse practitioners (James Gattis or Tiffany Diaz) for a full evaluation. They will confirm a major depressive disorder diagnosis, document prior medication trials and response, screen for contraindications (metal implants in the head, seizure disorder, certain medical devices), and determine if TMS is medically appropriate.
This is the setup session, lasting about one hour. The clinician finds your personal motor threshold—the minimum magnetic energy needed to cause a small thumb twitch. This ensures the treatment dose is individualized. The left DLPFC is then mapped for precise coil positioning.
You sit in a reclining treatment chair. The NeuroStar coil is positioned against your scalp. The device delivers magnetic pulses in a rhythmic pattern. You will feel a tapping or clicking sensation on your scalp—not painful for most people, but noticeable. You remain fully awake. You can watch the TV in the room, close your eyes, or listen to music. When the 19 minutes are up, you stand up and leave.
There is no sedation. No anesthesia. No recovery room. You drive yourself home or back to work. Some people feel a mild headache after the first few sessions, which usually resolves with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most people report no disruption to their daily schedule.
If you are ready to take the first step toward recovery, visit our initial consultation with our clinic in Fort Smith.
The evidence for TMS in treatment-resistant depression comes from large clinical trials, naturalistic studies, and meta-analyses. These numbers are drawn from published patient materials from UCSF and Harvard.
Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with treatment-resistant depression achieve a meaningful clinical response—defined as a 50% or greater reduction in symptom severity scores. That is not full wellness, but it is the difference between being stuck in severe depression and being able to function again.
About one in three patients (roughly 33%) achieves full remission. Remission means symptom scores fall into the normal range. Not just better. Well.
Benefits often build gradually over several weeks rather than appearing immediately. Some patients notice changes by the second or third week of treatment. Improved sleep quality is often the first sign.
The most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort or tenderness during the first few sessions and temporary headache. Both typically resolve without intervention or with over-the-counter medication. The most serious rare risk is seizure, occurring in fewer than 0.1% of patients. For context, that is lower than the seizure risk associated with bupropion (Wellbutrin) at high doses. No long-term cognitive effects. No memory loss.
These are individuals from Fort Smith and nearby communities who found relief after trying multiple medication trials without success. Their own words.
(5.0)
I was nervous about starting psychiatric treatment, but the team at Center for Psychiatric Wellness made the process comfortable and judgment-free. The medication management was thorough, and follow-ups were consistent. I highly recommend their services.
Jordan W.
(5.0)
I feel they’ve worked hard to make sure I was well and comfortable. I’ve not been treated as less than or been dismissed.
Kelly
(5.0)
I had a very positive experience with Dr. Baker. He was great, and any time I’ve called to refill a prescription or change something, it has been done quickly.
Lindsey S.
(5.0)
Great people, worked to help me. Caring and understanding.
Michael Dream
(5.0)
Love Dr. Gattis and Dr. Kathy. Both have been exceptional, patient, and kind.
Robin Lynn Ashley
(5.0)
I was nervous about starting psychiatric treatment, but the team at Center for Psychiatric Wellness made the process comfortable and judgment-free. The medication management was thorough, and follow-ups were consistent. I highly recommend their services.
Michael R.
(5.0)
The providers here genuinely care about your well-being. Appointments are never rushed, and every question is answered clearly. This clinic offers compassionate, professional mental health care that I trust completely.
Emily T.
(5.0)
Finding the right psychiatric provider can be difficult, but Center for Psychiatric Wellness exceeded my expectations. The care is evidence-based, thoughtful, and focused on long-term wellness—not quick fixes.
Daniel K.
(5.0)
I appreciate how easy it is to schedule appointments and communicate with the staff. The environment feels calm and welcoming, which makes a big difference when dealing with anxiety and depression.
Jessica L.
(5.0)
The level of professionalism and empathy at Center for Psychiatric Wellness is outstanding. My treatment plan was explained clearly, and I felt involved in every decision. This is mental health care done right.
Robert H.
(5.0)
I’ve seen real improvement since starting care here. The providers listen carefully and adjust treatment when needed. I finally feel supported on my mental health journey.
Amanda P.
(5.0)
This clinic offers a modern, patient-centered approach to psychiatric care. From intake to follow-ups, everything feels organized and intentional. I would recommend them to anyone seeking quality mental health services.
Jonathan S.
(5.0)
Center for Psychiatric Wellness helped me regain control of my mental health in a way that felt safe and empowering. The care is compassionate, respectful, and highly professional.
Lauren D.
Insurance coverage for TMS has expanded significantly. Most major commercial insurance plans cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression when medical necessity criteria are met. Medicare also covers TMS for qualifying patients.
Typical Coverage Criteria:
Confirmed diagnosis of major depressive disorder
Documented treatment resistance (failure of at least one, usually two, adequate antidepressant trials)
No contraindications (metal implants in the head, seizure disorder, certain implanted devices)
Some plans require concurrent psychotherapy documentation
Insurers That Commonly Cover TMS:
Medicare (for qualifying patients)
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield
UnitedHealthcare / Optum
Cigna
Aetna (varies by plan; prior authorization typically required)
Most commercial PPO plans with medical necessity documentation
The clinical definition is failure to achieve remission after at least one adequate antidepressant trial (typically 6–8 weeks at a therapeutic dose). Some definitions require two failed trials. During your psychiatric evaluation at Center for Psychiatric Wellness, Dr. Fiori or the APRN team will formally assess your medication history and symptom response.
Most people feel a tapping or clicking sensation on their scalp during the 19-minute session. It is not painful for the majority of patients. Some experience mild scalp discomfort or tenderness during the first week, which usually resolves. You remain awake and comfortable.
Yes. TMS requires no sedation and no anesthesia. You drive yourself to the appointment, complete the 19-minute session, and drive yourself home or back to work. No recovery period.
The standard course is 36 sessions. With five sessions per week (Monday through Friday), that is approximately seven weeks. Some protocols vary slightly, but 36 is the established standard for NeuroStar.
Response rates are approximately 50-60%, meaning 40-50% of patients do not achieve a meaningful response. That is a realistic possibility. Alternatives include adjusting medication strategies, considering ECT for severe refractory cases, or repeating a TMS course later. Your psychiatrist will discuss realistic expectations before you start.
Yes. Most patients remain on their current medication during TMS. The goal is not necessarily to stop medication. The goal is symptom improvement. Some patients later reduce or discontinue medication with their psychiatrist’s guidance, but that is a separate conversation.
For treatment-resistant depression with proper documentation, most major plans do cover TMS. Coverage varies by plan, not just by carrier. The free consultation at Center for Psychiatric Wellness includes a benefits check. You will know what your financial responsibility looks like before you commit.
Yes, for qualifying patients with treatment-resistant depression. Specific coverage criteria apply. The CCPW team verifies Medicare benefits during the consultation.
No. You can call (479) 831-6007 directly to schedule a free TMS consultation. The psychiatric evaluation determines medical necessity. You do not need a separate referral from a primary care doctor.
NeuroStar has the largest clinical dataset and longest FDA track record. The 19-minute session length is shorter than many older devices. The mechanism—magnetic stimulation of the left DLPFC—is the same across FDA-cleared devices, but session length and coil design vary.
Exhausted by depression medications? Center for Psychiatric Wellness in Fort Smith offers TMS, a non-drug, non-invasive 19-minute daily therapy with no systemic side effects. Insurance is handled for you
7217 Cameron Park Dr, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Serving Fort Smith, Van Buren, Arkoma, and surrounding communities.
Fill out the form below. A team member from Center for Psychiatric Wellness will call you within one business day to verify insurance and schedule your psychiatric evaluation.
Or call us directly: (479) 831-6007
