Dr. Melissa Fickey, founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center, was interviewed by ABC Action News for her role in the effort that helped bring FDA clearance for TMS to teens with depression. The clearance covers adolescents aged 15 and older, giving families a non-drug option when medication has not worked well enough.
You can watch the interview and read the story in the ABC Action News article, Local doctor helps get non-medicated depression treatment FDA cleared for teens 15 and older.
What the FDA Clearance for TMS Means
TMS was already used for adults, and the newer clearance extends it to younger patients. NeuroStar TMS is now FDA-cleared as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder in adolescents aged 15 to 21. In practice, that gives teens and their families another path to try when antidepressant medication alone has not helped enough.
An FDA clearance is a regulatory step showing a device has met safety and effectiveness standards for its stated use. It is not the same as a promise of results, and outcomes vary from person to person.
About Dr. Melissa Fickey
Dr. Melissa Fickey is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry and also treats adults. A Tampa native, she is the founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center. Her background in child psychiatry is one reason her work on TMS for younger patients drew attention from ABC Action News. You can read her full background on our team profile page.
What Is TMS Therapy?
TMS stands for transcranial magnetic stimulation. It is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood. You can read more about NeuroStar TMS therapy and the conditions it can treat.
Sessions take place in the office, without anesthesia or recovery time. To learn more about this type of care, see the National Institute of Mental Health overview of brain stimulation therapies.
TMS for Teens: What Parents Should Know
Depression in teenagers is common, and not every young person responds to medication or gets along with the side effects. The FDA clearance for TMS gives families another option to discuss with a provider.
- Who it is for: Adolescents aged 15 to 21 with major depressive disorder, usually as an add-on to other care.
- What a session feels like: A tapping sensation on the scalp. The teen stays awake and can return to normal activity afterward.
- Common side effects: Usually mild, such as scalp discomfort or a brief headache. There is a rare risk of seizure.
- Who should not use it: People with certain metal implants in or near the head, among other factors a provider will review.
A provider will review the teen’s history and symptoms to decide if TMS is appropriate. You can also read the safety and prescribing information at neurostar.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TMS FDA-cleared for teenagers?
Yes. It is FDA-cleared as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder in adolescents aged 15 to 21.
Does TMS replace medication for teens?
Not necessarily. It is often used as an add-on rather than a replacement. Do not stop or change a teen’s medication without talking to the prescribing provider.
Is TMS safe for teens?
It is non-invasive and generally well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild, and there is a rare risk of seizure. A provider will review whether it is appropriate for your teen.
What conditions does TMS treat?
NeuroStar TMS is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder, as an add-on for OCD, and to reduce anxiety symptoms in adults who have depression with anxiety.
Where can my teen receive TMS?
Embracing Life Wellness Center provides TMS at its Florida offices in Riverview, Tampa, and Miami.
Get in Touch
Our offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for office visits and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for TMS treatments. You can visit us at one of our Florida locations:
- Riverview Office: 6332 US-301, Riverview, FL 33578
- Tampa Office: 3333 W Kennedy Blvd #106, Tampa, FL 33609
- Miami Office: 2600 Douglas Rd Ste 711, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Call (813) 662-5919 or contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation with Dr. Melissa Fickey and her team. If your teen is in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 988 in the United States for immediate support.
