TMS Therapy in Rockville, MD
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, and more — without medication, without sedation, and without downtime. Available now at Bright Horizons Psychiatry.
20 min
per session
(sit in a chair, go home after)
4–6 wk
full treatment course
(5 days per week)
0
systemic side effects
(No weight gain · No sexual dysfunction · No sedation)
Understanding TMS
What Is TMS Therapy?
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain. It’s used to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, and other conditions — without medication or surgery.
The magnetic pulses gently activate nerve cells in specific brain regions responsible for mood regulation, impulse control, and emotional processing. The result: symptoms improve, often significantly, within the first few weeks of treatment.
Sessions last 20–30 minutes. No anesthesia, no needles, no sedation. You sit in a chair, and you go home right after.
Conditions We Treat with TMS
What TMS Therapy Can Help With
TMS isn’t just for depression. Here’s the full range of conditions we treat with TMS at our Rockville practice.
TMS Therapy for Depression
This is where TMS has the deepest evidence base. It’s FDA-approved for major depressive disorder — especially treatment-resistant depression where two or more antidepressants haven’t worked. Clinical studies show a 50–70% response rate for patients in this group, with roughly 1 in 3 reaching full remission.
TMS Therapy for ADHD
Research into TMS for ADHD is accelerating. By stimulating the prefrontal cortex — the brain region responsible for attention and executive function — TMS offers a potential non-medication pathway for adults who haven’t responded well to stimulants or prefer a drug-free approach.
TMS Therapy for PTSD
TMS targets areas of the brain involved in fear processing and emotional memory — making it a strong candidate for PTSD treatment. Veterans and trauma survivors have shown improvement in hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and emotional numbness. While not yet FDA-approved specifically for PTSD, clinical results are promising and this is an active area of treatment at our practice.
TMS Therapy for Anxiety
Growing clinical evidence supports TMS for generalized anxiety and anxious depression — conditions where antidepressants often fall short. Deep TMS in particular targets brain regions involved in both mood and anxiety regulation. Many of our patients report significantly reduced worry and a calmer baseline within weeks.
TMS Therapy for OCD
Deep TMS received FDA clearance for OCD in 2018 — making it one of only a few non-medication treatments with formal approval. It targets the anterior cingulate cortex and the circuits involved in compulsive behavior. For patients who haven’t found relief through SSRIs or CBT, it’s a meaningful option.
We accept major insurance providers
including Medicare & Medicaid
Honest Assessment
Pros and Cons of TMS Therapy
We’d rather give you the full picture than a sales pitch. Here’s what you should know — benefits and limitations.
Benefits of TMS Therapy
TMS Therapy Side Effects & Limitations
Pricing & Insurance
How Much Does TMS Therapy Cost?
Short answer: most patients pay very little out of pocket. Here’s the full picture.
TMS Therapy Cost with Insurance
$0 – $50
per session (typical copay range)
TMS is covered by almost all major insurance plans. We handle prior authorization for you — meaning we do the paperwork, not you.
TMS Therapy Cost Without Insurance
$6,000 – $12,000
for a full course (30–36 sessions)
Not sure about your coverage? Call us and we’ll verify your benefits before your first visit — no charge, no obligation.
What to Expect
Before and After TMS Therapy
Here’s what patients at Bright Horizons typically experience at each stage of TMS treatment.
Weeks 1–2
Getting Started
You’re adjusting to the sensation. Most patients don’t notice dramatic changes yet — but sleep quality and energy often improve first. The tapping becomes routine by day three.
Weeks 3–4
The Shift
This is where most patients notice a real change. The fog lifts. Motivation returns. Everyday things — cooking, exercising, calling someone back — stop feeling so heavy.
Weeks 5–6+
After Treatment
By end of treatment, ~70% of patients show significant improvement. Results typically hold 6–12 months. Maintenance sessions available if symptoms start to return.
Meet Your Doctor
Dr. Amir Etesam, MD
Psychiatrist & Medical DirectorDr. Amir Etesam, MD, is a Johns Hopkins–trained, Board-Certified, psychiatrist and the founder of Bright Horizons Psychiatry in North Bethesda, Maryland. He is a distinguished member of Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the nation’s most respected medical honor society, recognizing excellence in scholarship and integrity in medicine.
Dr. Etesam’s clinical work is exclusively focused on patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD)—those who have not improved despite multiple trials of medication and therapy. His practice centers on advanced neuromodulation therapies, including Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Intranasal Esketamine (Spravato®), provided in a private, state-of-the-art setting designed for comfort and healing.
He no longer accepts new patients for other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, or OCD.
For patients seeking care for other psychiatric conditions—such as anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and general mood or behavioral concerns—a highly trained team of psychiatric nurse practitioners works side-by-side with, and under the close supervision of Dr. Etesam. This collaborative model ensures that every patient receives the same standard of thoughtful, evidence-based care that defines Bright Horizons Psychiatry.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About TMS Therapy
Ready to Get Started?
Find out if TMS
is right for you.
Free 30-minute consultation. We’ll tell you honestly whether TMS makes sense for your situation.