Our Services
TMS
If medication hasn't worked, you're not out of options.
TMS is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment for depression that hasn't responded to medication. There's no anaesthetic and no hospital stay — each session takes just a few minutes, and most people return to their normal day straight afterwards. We offer TMS at both our Carlingford and Norwest clinics.
GP or referrer? Click here for our TMS referral guide
TMS at a glance
The essentials, before you read further
What it treats
Treatment-resistant depression — depression that hasn't improved with medication
Why consider it
Works differently to antidepressants, so it can help when medication hasn't
How it works
Non-invasive, drug-free. No anaesthetic required and no hospital stay needed
Time involved
Short sessions, 3x per week, 30 - 60 minutes each
Your day
No downtime. Drive, work, play as usual before and after session
Cost
Low out of pocket for medicare eligible patients. No out of pocket for eligible third party patients
TMS at a glance
What is TMS?
TMS — transcranial magnetic stimulation — uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood.
It's non-invasive: no surgery, no anaesthetic and no medication. You sit in a chair, fully awake, while a small coil rests against your head and delivers the pulses. Over a course of sessions, this helps reactivate brain networks that are underactive in depression.
Because it works differently to antidepressants, TMS can help some people who haven't found relief from medication.
Who it's for
Is TMS right for you?
TMS is for people with depression that hasn't improved with medication — often called treatment-resistant depression. It offers another way forward, without adding another daily medication.
You've been diagnosed with depression.
You've tried one or more antidepressants without enough improvement.
Medication side effects have been difficult to tolerate.
You'd prefer a treatment that doesn't involve daily medication.
What "treatment-resistant" means
Depression is often called "treatment-resistant" when it hasn't improved enough after trying two or more antidepressants at an adequate dose and for an adequate time. If that matches your experience, TMS may be worth discussing.
A psychiatrist reviews your history and confirms whether TMS is suitable for you. A GP referral is needed to begin.
The evidence
Does TMS work?
TMS has a well-established evidence base for treatment-resistant depression and is supported by Medicare for eligible patients. Many people begin to notice a difference within the first few weeks of a course.
58 - 83%
Response Rate
Sackeim HA, et al. Clinical outcomes in a large registry of patients with major depressive disorder treated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. J Affect Disord. 2020.
28 - 62%
Remission Rate
Sackeim HA, et al. Clinical outcomes in a large registry of patients with major depressive disorder treated with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. J Affect Disord. 2020.
>7,000
Treatments delivered
at Mind Connections Carlingford and Norwest
What to expect
What a session is like
Your first appointment includes a mapping session (about 20–30 minutes) to position the coil precisely. After that, each treatment session is quick and straightforward.
You settle into a comfortable chair — fully awake, no sedation.
You feel a light tapping and hear a clicking sound.
You feel a light tapping and hear a clicking sound.
The session runs from 3 minutes up to about 20, depending on treatment type
You get up and go about your day — no recovery time.
Safety
Safety & side effects
TMS is generally well tolerated. Most side effects, if they occur at all, are mild and usually ease after the first few sessions.
Mild scalp discomfort or tingling during treatment
A short-lived headache afterwards, easily managed
Seizures are an extremely rare side effect, affecting fewer than 0.01% of cases. Your psychiatrist screens for risk factors at your assessment.
Just as importantly, TMS does not affect your memory or personality, and there's no sedation — so you can drive and return to work the same day.
TMS isn't suitable for everyone — for example, if you have certain metal implants or devices near the head. Your psychiatrist checks for factors that affect safety and suitability before you start.
Fees and Rebates
Medicare rebates are available for eligible patients with treatment-resistant depression. For approved patients funded through WorkCover, DVA, ADF or another third party, treatment is fully covered with no out-of-pocket cost.
GPs & referrers
Everything you need to refer a patient for TMS including eligibility criteria, what to include on the referral, and how to share it with us.
Frequently asked questions
Does TMS hurt?
No. You will feel a tapping sensation on your scalp and hear a clicking sound during stimulation. Some people find the sensation unusual at first, but it is not painful, and most people adjust within the first few sessions. Tell your technician if it is uncomfortable, as the settings can often be adjusted and treatment can be paused at any time.
How is TMS different from ECT?
They are very different treatments. ECT is given under a general anaesthetic and deliberately induces a seizure, and is usually delivered in hospital. TMS uses magnetic pulses, you stay awake throughout, there is no anaesthetic and no seizure, and it is delivered in our consulting rooms. You drive yourself home and go about your day straight afterwards.
How soon will I notice a difference?
Many patients report positive mood changes within the first couple of weeks, others take longer and some do not respond. Improvements can be considerably faster than conventional antidepressants, which often take six weeks or more. TMS works cumulatively, so the effect builds over the course rather than arriving after any single session.
Do I need to take time off work?
Sessions take as little as a few minutes with iTBS protocols, plus travel time, so most people fit treatment around work. You may need to miss a few hours each day depending on your schedule. A medical certificate can be provided, and where WorkCover or third party insurance covers your treatment, your psychiatrist can recommend leave for the treatment period.
Can I drive after a session?
Yes. There is no sedation involved, so you can drive yourself to and from each session and return to work or normal activities immediately afterwards.
Will TMS affect my memory or change my personality?
No. TMS does not cause memory impairment; in fact, thinking and concentration generally improve as mood recovers. It does not change who you are. As patients improve, they describe feeling like themselves again.
Who is TMS suitable for?
TMS is for adults with depression that has not improved after trying two or more antidepressants at an adequate dose and duration, often called treatment-resistant depression. It may also suit people who cannot tolerate medication side effects, or who would prefer a treatment that does not involve daily medication. Your psychiatrist confirms whether TMS is appropriate and safe for you at your assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical course is around 35 sessions, with up to 3 sessions per day, delivered three days per week over four to six weeks. Your exact course depends on your condition and how you respond.
Will the results last?
Results vary between individuals. Some people remain well for a year or longer after a single course, while others benefit from maintenance sessions, commonly weekly for six months then fortnightly thereafter. Any ongoing treatment is decided together with your treating psychiatrist based on how you responded.
Is TMS covered by Medicare?
Medicare provides rebates for eligible patients with treatment-resistant depression, following a psychiatrist assessment and a valid GP referral.
Eligibility is based on your diagnosis and treatment history. For current fees and out-of-pocket costs, see our Fees page or ask our reception team.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists who offer TMS
Dr Padmini Howpage
Consultant Psychiatrist & Psychogeriatrician
Dr Raiz Ismail
Consultant Psychiatrist
Getting Started
Your first appointment, made simple
Visit our 'What to expect' page to learn more about the booking process.
Obtain a referral
For psychiatry, ask your GP for a referral. For psychology, ask your GP for a Mental Health Care Plan and referral. This is what enables your Medicare rebates.
Book online or call us
Choose your clinician, location and time online, 24/7, or call our friendly reception team and we'll find a time that suits.
Attend your appointment
In person or by telehealth. Your first session is about understanding you, your history and what you'd like help with.
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