Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain areas involved in mood and anxiety regulation. It’s drug-free, requires no anesthesia, and you can return to normal activities right after sessions.

A treatment coil placed on your scalp delivers focused magnetic pulses that activate neurons in targeted regions (often the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Over repeated sessions, this helps “re-balance” brain circuits linked to depression, anxiety, and OCD.

Most commonly: Major Depressive Disorder (including treatment-resistant depression), anxiety disorders (e.g., GAD, panic), OCD, PTSD, and sometimes chronic pain (e.g., fibromyalgia) when clinically appropriate.

Yes — rTMS is well-tolerated for most patients. The most common effects are mild scalp discomfort or headache during/after treatment, which usually improve over time. Serious risks like seizure are rare when patients are properly screened and treated by qualified clinicians.

People with certain metal or electronic implants in/near the head (e.g., aneurysm clips, cochlear implants), active seizures/epilepsy not under control, or other contraindications may not be eligible. We perform a thorough screening to confirm safety.

You sit in a comfortable chair while the coil delivers rapid “tapping” sensations to the scalp. Sessions typically last 20–40 minutes. There’s no sedation and no downtime—you can drive yourself home afterward.

A standard course is 5 sessions per week for 4–6 weeks (about 20–30 sessions total). Some patients benefit from maintenance/booster sessions later to sustain results.

Many patients start noticing changes in 2–3 weeks, with continued improvement through the full course. Benefits can be long-lasting; durability varies by individual. Periodic boosters may help maintain gains.

For treatment-resistant depression, studies report meaningful response and remission rates for a substantial portion of patients. Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD can also improve when protocols and targets are appropriately selected. Individual results vary.

• Medication: systemic effects; can cause side effects or lose efficacy over time. rTMS is targeted and non-pharmacologic.
  
• ECT: highly effective for severe depression but requires anesthesia and can affect memory; rTMS is outpatient, no anesthesia, minimal cognitive effects.
• Ketamine: fast-acting for some patients; involves pharmacologic effects. rTMS focuses on circuit modulation without medication.

Yes. Many patients combine rTMS with psychotherapy and/or medication. Coordinated care often enhances outcomes.

Coverage depends on your private insurer and plan. Some plans may reimburse part of the cost under mental health benefits. We provide detailed receipts to submit to your insurer.

Your clinician may adjust parameters, target a different brain region, extend the course, or recommend complementary treatments. We’ll discuss next-step options tailored to your goals.

• Experienced team delivering evidence-based protocols

   

• Personalized targeting and dosing, with progress monitoring

   

• Downtown Montreal access, no wait lists, and coordinated care with other advanced therapies

   

Still have questions about rTMS in Montreal?  Talk to our specialists — Book a consultation.