Your medication isn't failing you. Your brain just needs a different signal.
If you’ve tried antidepressants and still don’t feel like yourself, you’re not broken — your depression is treatment-resistant. NeuroStar TMS targets the exact brain circuits medication can’t reach, without entering your bloodstream.
100% Free — No Obligation
A physician-reviewed evaluation — not a sales call. Includes: medication history review, same-day insurance verification, personalized treatment timeline, and a written summary of your options. Value: $350. Your cost: $0.
Your information is private and never sold. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy.
📍 Serving Riverview, Tampa, Miami
Limited consultation slots available this month
FDA-Cleared since 2008
No drugs enter your body — ever
This is NOT shock therapy (ECT)
4.8 / 5 verified patient rating in FL
Most patients pay $0–$50/session after insurance
5,000,000+ NeuroStar treatments delivered nationwide
Led by Dr. Melissa Fickey, MD — Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center, FL
Insurance we accept
We believe that nothing should stand between you and the compassionate care you deserve. We accept most major insurance plans to make your experience as seamless as possible.
out-of-pocket for most patients after insurance covers treatment
of patients who failed medications respond meaningfully to TMS
minutes per session — drive yourself home immediately after
You've already tried so hard. That matters.
One in three people with major depression doesn’t fully respond to medication. Not because they haven’t tried hard enough. Not because the diagnosis is wrong. Because their specific brain circuits need a different kind of stimulus — not a chemical one.
If any of these describe the last year of your life, TMS was designed for you:
Tried 2 or more antidepressants with limited or no relief
Stopped a medication because the side effects were unbearable
Getting through the day but not actually living it
Lost the version of yourself that used to show up at work, at home, in relationships
Told yourself "this is just how I am now" — and don't fully believe it
“I felt like I was living in a dark cave. I lost total hope and became convinced that nothing would help my depression.”
— TMS patient, after trying multiple antidepressants
“I feel like my old self again — only better. I now know it was not my fault. It had never been my fault.”
— Post-TMS patient, reported in Newsweek
This is a clinical reality, not a personal one. Treatment-resistant depression affects approximately 10 million Americans. Your brain simply requires a direct electrical signal to switch its mood circuits back on — something no pill can deliver.
If that’s where you are, there’s something specific happening in your brain — and there’s a specific answer for it. Not a better pill. A different kind of signal entirely.
Medication
Travels through the entire bloodstream — liver, kidneys, hormones, sleep cycles — to eventually reach the brain
NeuroStar TMS
Magnetic pulses activate only the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the specific circuit linked to mood regulation
Medication travels everywhere. TMS goes exactly where it's needed.
This isn’t about replacing medication — it’s about a fundamentally different mechanism. When specific brain circuits that regulate mood become underactive, antidepressants try to correct this chemically — throughout your entire body. NeuroStar TMS uses focused magnetic pulses (the same technology as an MRI) to activate those exact circuits directly.
What Happens During a TMS Session
You sit comfortably
A treatment coil is positioned near your head. No anesthesia. No sedation. You are completely awake.
What it actually feels like
You’ll hear a rhythmic clicking and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp — like a woodpecker, not a shock. It is not painful. Some patients feel mild scalp tenderness in the first 1–2 sessions that fades as treatment continues.
Pulses activate mood circuits
Magnetic pulses (identical in strength to MRI technology) stimulate underactive neurons in the brain’s mood center — with no electricity and nothing entering your body.
19–37 minutes, then done
Listen to music, scroll your phone. Session ends. You drive yourself home. Zero downtime.
Results build over weeks
Most patients notice improvement by weeks 3–4. A full course is 5 days/week over 4–6 weeks. Results typically last 12+ months after treatment ends.
8 concerns about TMS — each one answered honestly.
"I've tried so many things. What if this doesn't work either?"
This is the most honest concern, and it deserves a straight answer: TMS will not work for everyone. That’s true of every treatment. What’s different is the mechanism — TMS bypasses the biochemical pathway that your brain may have already proven resistant to.
The clinical data: 50–60% of patients who failed medications experience meaningful improvement with TMS. About one in three achieves full remission. These aren’t marketing numbers — they’re published outcomes from Harvard Medical School research.
The only way to know if your brain responds is a conversation with Dr. Fickey. It’s free. It commits you to nothing. If you don’t qualify, she’ll tell you — and point you toward what might help instead.
"Is this electroconvulsive therapy? Am I going to have a seizure?"
TMS and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) are completely different procedures. ECT requires general anesthesia and induces controlled seizures. NeuroStar TMS does neither.
TMS uses the same type of magnetic field as an MRI scanner — targeted, precise, and non-invasive. You remain fully awake and alert throughout the entire session. Seizures occur in less than 0.1% of TMS patients (compared to 100% in ECT — that’s the whole point of ECT).
No electricity passes through your brain. No anesthesia. No memory effects. This is not shock therapy. It never was.
"I'm worried about weight gain, emotional blunting, or becoming 'numb' again"
This is a legitimate fear, and TMS’s answer is structural: nothing enters your bloodstream. NeuroStar TMS is entirely non-systemic — it activates specific brain circuits using magnetic pulses that don’t circulate through your body.
No medication. No chemicals. No systemic side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are mild scalp discomfort and temporary headache at the treatment site during the first few sessions — both resolve quickly.
You cannot gain weight from a magnetic pulse. You cannot lose sleep from it. Your memory is not affected. You will feel exactly like yourself after each session — because you are.
"I work full-time. I can't disappear for weeks of treatment"
Sessions run 19 to 37 minutes. You sit in a chair, listen to whatever you want, and walk out the door. You can drive yourself. You can go back to work. You can pick up your kids. There is no recovery period because there is nothing to recover from.
The full course is 5 days per week over 4–6 weeks — but each individual visit is less time than a lunch break. We schedule around your work calendar.
Patients tell us the hardest part is committing to the schedule — not the treatment itself. Once they start, they describe sessions as the easiest part of their week.
"Even if it works — how long will it last? Will I just crash again?"
This is the right question to ask, and the data is encouraging. A landmark multisite study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry tracked TMS patients for a full year after treatment ended. The majority maintained their improvement without needing to restart. Most patients remain in remission for 12 months or longer after a single course.
If symptoms do return — which can happen with any depression treatment — TMS can be repeated. Unlike medication, there’s no dose escalation, no tolerance built up, and no systemic effects to manage. Many patients do a maintenance course once a year as a proactive measure, the same way they’d see a dentist.
You’re not trading one dependency for another. You’re getting a reset — and if you ever need another one, it’s available.
"My psychiatrist hasn't mentioned TMS. Am I going around my doctor?"
You’re not. TMS is not a replacement for your current care — it’s an FDA-cleared addition to it. Many psychiatrists actively refer patients to TMS once medications show limited results, and TMS is routinely used alongside existing medication, not instead of it.
The more common reality is that psychiatrists manage large patient panels and don’t always raise TMS proactively until a patient asks. If your doctor hasn’t mentioned it, that’s not a signal it’s inappropriate — it’s often simply a matter of timing in the conversation.
Dr. Fickey’s assessment includes a full review of your current treatment plan. She coordinates with your existing provider if you’d like, and she will never recommend TMS if it isn’t clinically appropriate for your situation.
"What happens when treatment ends? Do I need to keep coming back forever?"
A full course of TMS is finite — typically 30–36 sessions over 4–6 weeks, then done. There’s no indefinite maintenance schedule required and no prescription to renew. You complete the course, and most patients then go months or years without needing anything further.
After treatment ends, Dr. Fickey will review your response and outline a simple monitoring plan. Some patients choose an optional “tune-up” course once a year to stay ahead of any returning symptoms — but that’s a choice, not a requirement.
TMS has a beginning and an end. Unlike medication, there’s no open-ended commitment built into the treatment itself.
️ "I've seen people online say TMS made them feel worse. Is that real?"
It’s a real phenomenon, and we’d rather you hear it from us than from a Reddit thread. A small subset of patients — roughly 1% — experience a temporary period where symptoms feel worse before they improve. This is known as the “TMS dip,” and it typically occurs in weeks 1–2 as the brain adjusts to the new stimulation pattern.
It is not a sign the treatment is failing. It’s a sign the brain is responding. For most patients who experience it, the dip resolves and improvement follows. In the rare case where treatment causes genuine intolerable effects, it is stopped — and those effects resolve completely once sessions end. There is no long-term harm documented from TMS in the published clinical literature.
We monitor every patient throughout the full course. If something doesn’t feel right, we adjust. You are never left to figure it out on your own.
Most patients pay significantly less than they expect.
NeuroStar TMS is covered by most major insurance carriers for patients who have tried and not fully responded to antidepressants. We verify your coverage before your first appointment — free, with no commitment required.
Kaiser Permanente
Aetna
Cigna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem
Beacon
Advance Care
Meritain Health
Care Credit
United Healthcare
Humana
Tricare
+ Most major FL plans
$0–$50
Typical out-of-pocket per session when insurance covers treatment. With a $20–50 copay over 30–36 sessions, total patient cost is often $720–$1,800 vs. $6,000–$12,000 without insurance. If you’ve already met your annual deductible, your out-of-pocket cost may be near zero. NeuroStar also offers its own reimbursement program for qualifying patients. We navigate all of this for you.
TMS Testimonials — Verified FL patients, 5/5 stars.
remission from depression:
Mariah’s patient experience with NeuroStar
Bart’s story:
From medication to NeuroStar TMS
elsa’s experience:
Discovering NeuroStar & her husband’s journey
Tod’s story:
Remission from depression
At first I thought that this treatment was just the “same old, same old.” In fact, it turned out to be a very relaxing time which I am now trying to duplicate at home as part of a regular morning routine. I always felt that the staff were there to support me completely through follow-up sessions and trying to make me comfortable. TMS exceeded my wildest expectations. Almost immediately the world looked bright and new. I so appreciate the opportunity to find a very different world and life.
Krystal Y.
Tampa, FL
Love this office, the staff. From my psychiatrist Stephanie Frank from listening, to remembering everything I’m going thru and where we are. She’s been incredibly in my lows and highs.
To TMS ladies! Mrs Cara and Dr Vicky! Always sweetest ladies and take care of you!
Ive been thru 4 different doctors and these ladies have given me so much hope. 4 drs of dead ends and not being there for you.
Mental health matters and these ladies really do go above and beyond to service you in the time you need it the most
Stop your search, the answers, support and amazing staff is right here.
Jeremy N.
Tampa, FL
During that time, it was probably the darkest time in my life. I was sad and miserable all the time. Before when I was going through depression, I felt hopeless. Since TMS, my perspective on life has been so positive that I know there is hope.
Martha F.
Tampa, FL
At first I thought that this treatment was just the “same old, same old.” In fact, it turned out to be a very relaxing time which I am now trying to duplicate at home as part of a regular morning routine. I always felt that the staff were there to support me completely through follow-up sessions and trying to make me comfortable. TMS exceeded my wildest expectations. Almost immediately the world looked bright and new. I so appreciate the opportunity to find a very different world and life.
Jim D.
Tampa, FL
I was severely depressed over a period of three years. I tried several antidepressants but nothing really seemed to work. I had a severe allergic reaction. My family was very poorly impacted by the whole problem of my depression. By the end of the TMS treatment, things were better than I could have imagined. After that sixth week, I was so excited that my life was starting to resume. It could actually get better and that I had more to look forward to.
Garret A.
Tampa, FL
We are incredibly grateful for the care and dedication this psychiatrist has shown our special needs son. She has helped him overcome challenges that once felt unimaginable for our family. From the very beginning, she truly listened — not just to respond, but to deeply understand him and our concerns as parents.
She asks thoughtful, insightful questions that get to the heart of his needs. Her attention to detail is exceptional, especially in reviewing past interventions and thoughtfully considering what is currently working. She consistently follows up, tracks progress toward our goals, and adjusts plans with intention and care.
What sets her apart is her collaborative approach. She works seamlessly with other doctors and providers, ensuring our son receives comprehensive, coordinated care. We have always felt supported, respected, and heard.
We cannot recommend her highly enough. She has made a profound difference in our son’s life and in ours as a family.
Alice H.
Tampa, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, often referred to as TMS is a noninvasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is typically used when antidepressant medications haven’t been effective, have ceased working, or as an alternative to medication.
How does TMS work?
TMS involves delivering magnetic pulses to specific parts of the brain.
How long is TMS treatment?
A typical initial course of treatment is about 19-37 minutes daily over 4-6 weeks.
Is TMS Therapy covered by my insurance?
A vast majority of commercial and Medicare plans have recognized the effectiveness of treating depression with TMS Therapy and now cover TMS as part of their plans.
Is TMS Therapy a good alternative for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects of antidepressant medications?
TMS does not circulate in the blood throughout the body, so it does not have side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, etc. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp discomfort —generally mild to moderate—occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.
Is TMS Therapy like other alternative therapies that use magnets to treat some illnesses?
No. TMS Therapy involves a unique method of using pulsed magnetic fields for a therapeutic benefit. The intensity of the magnetic field is similar to that of an MRI. These techniques differ radically from the popular use of low intensity, static magnetic fields. Those products deliver weak and undirected static fields that are not capable of activating brain cells. The activation and stimulation of brain cells is a key part of why TMS is so effective.
TMS Clinical Trials & Academic Studies
NeuroStar TMS Therapy is backed by over a decade of published clinical research. The following peer-reviewed studies demonstrate its safety and efficacy for treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder.
Multisite Naturalistic Observational Study — Acute Treatment Outcomes
Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Major Depression: A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Acute Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Depression and Anxiety, 29(7):587–596.
Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial — Daily Left Prefrontal TMS
George MS, et al. (2010). Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 67(5):507–516.
1-Year Follow-Up Study — Durability of Benefit
Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Patients with Pharmacoresistant Major Depressive Disorder: Durability of Benefit Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period. J Clin Psychiatry. 75(12):1394–1401.
Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial — Efficacy & Safety
O’Reardon JP, et al. (2007). Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Biol Psychiatry, 62(11):1208–1216.
Dr. Melissa Fickey, MD
Board Certified Psychiatrist · Founder, Embracing Life Wellness Center · Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist · Distinguished Fellow, American Psychiatric Association
Dr. Fickey personally reviews every new patient case at Embracing Life Wellness Center. A board-certified psychiatrist and Tampa native, she founded Embracing Life Wellness Center with offices in Tampa, Miami, and Riverview, Florida. She specializes in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in addition to offering Adult Psychiatric services, with a mission to provide high-quality, compassionate mental health care in a relaxed and aesthetically pleasing environment.
Dr. Fickey is a nationally recognized NeuroStar TMS provider who played a crucial role in presenting the positive benefits of NeuroStar TMS for Major Depressive Disorder in adolescents, contributing to its successful FDA clearance in March 2024. Her team has performed over 35,000 TMS treatment sessions and has helped numerous children, adolescents, and adults struggling with depression, anxious depression, and OCD. She has also presented in front of the FDA in an effort to have NeuroStar TMS FDA-approved in the pediatric population, making TMS more accessible to younger patients.
As the founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association — an honor appointed to distinguished psychiatrists for their substantial contributions to the profession — Dr. Fickey brings both deep clinical expertise and a genuine commitment to treating the whole person, not just an illness. When you schedule your TMS Readiness Assessment, you are speaking with her team directly. She will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, review your full medication history, and give you an honest recommendation — whether that leads to TMS or another path entirely.
Dr. Fickey will tell you if you qualify.
Here's what she looks for.
Dr. Fickey reviews every new patient’s complete history personally to determine whether NeuroStar TMS is appropriate — and if you’re a strong candidate, she’ll tell you upfront. She doesn’t offer TMS to everyone. She offers it to the right people.
Tried 1+ antidepressants
Without satisfactory relief, or stopped due to side effects
Persistent symptoms despite treatment
Depression isn’t fully controlled even with medication
Intolerance to medication side effects
Weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting
Preference for non-systemic treatment
You want your body — not just your brain chemistry — left alone
Ability to attend weekday sessions
5 days/week for 4–6 weeks (19–37 min each)
What to expect after treatment ends: Most patients remain in remission for 12+ months after completing a full course. If symptoms return, TMS can be repeated — no dose escalation, no dependency, no systemic effects to manage.
Metal implants near the head
Including cochlear implants or aneurysm clips (other implants are often fine)
Active seizure disorder
We discuss your history in detail during consultation
Certain cardiac devices
Pacemakers or implanted stimulators near the head or neck
Not sure if you qualify? That’s exactly what Dr. Fickey’s TMS Readiness Assessment is for. She reviews your specific history — not a checkbox — and many patients who assumed they weren’t candidates discover they are.
You've read everything. Now there's one question left.
You know how TMS works. You know it’s covered by insurance. You know sessions are 19–37 minutes and you drive yourself home. You know it’s not ECT. You know 50–60% of people in your exact situation respond to it.
The only thing you don’t know yet is whether your brain responds to it. There is exactly one way to find out — and it costs you nothing.
Call us or fill out the form. Dr. Melissa Fickey, MD — Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Founder of Embracing Life Wellness Center, Tampa, FL — will personally review your history and give you an honest answer.
The TMS Readiness Assessment is free
Physician review, insurance verification, treatment timeline — $0
We respond within 24 hours
Often same business day — (813) 592-8008
No commitment of any kind
If TMS isn't right for you, we'll tell you — and point you toward what might be
Every week you wait is a week your brain goes without the signal it needs
There is no benefit to waiting
Value $350 — Your Cost: $0
Takes 2 minutes. We verify your insurance and Dr. Fickey contacts you within 24 hours.
Your information is private and never sold. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy.
📍 Serving Riverview, Tampa, Miami
Limited consultation slots available this month
Insurance we accept — most patients pay little to nothing out-of-pocket
We believe that nothing should stand between you and the compassionate care you deserve. We accept most major insurance plans to make your experience as seamless as possible.