TMS for depression, Calgary | Psychologist-led care
When depression won't lift, it may be your brain, not your effort
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, research-supported approach that works at the level of brain function. At Sano State Psychology, one of our psychologists can discuss if this is a good fit for your situation.
- Personal discussion with a psychologist to explore whether TMS may be appropriate
- Time to ask questions, at your pace, with no obligation
- Virtual (Zoom) or in-office, depending on what works for you
- Some individuals prefer to experience what TMS feels like before beginning treatment. We offer optional brief in-office demonstrations during the suitability assessment process when clinically appropriate.
Health Canada-approved protocols · Grounded in research · Non-invasive
Brain-informed planning, not a one-size template
Most TMS programs follow a standard protocol. We personalize from objective information about how your brain is functioning.
qEEG and structured assessments are part of how we understand patterns before and during TMS. They support clinical judgment, they are not a separate sales funnel, and they are used to tailor care with your psychologist. No cookie-cutter plan.
Objective mapping shows how your activity is patterned at rest and under challenge, so decisions are data-informed and specific to you.
qEEG mapping
Objective view of how your brain organizes activity across states, supporting personalized stimulation parameters and tracking change.
Cognitive testing
Measures of attention, memory, and processing speed alongside mood, so progress isn't judged on self-report alone.
Questionnaires
Validated tools for mood, stress, and function, repeated over time for clear trajectories.
Psychologist-led goals
Treatment stays tied to what matters in your work, relationships, and day-to-day life, not only a symptom checklist.
Together, assessment and TMS are integrated: we learn how you respond over time and adjust accordingly. That is different from protocols that treat every brain the same.
Objective data, psychologist-led decisions, evidence-informed TMS
Am I a good candidate for TMS?
Suitability is determined individually. People often explore TMS when several of the following are true:
- Antidepressants have not helped enough
- Side effects from medications limit options
- Depression with fatigue or brain fog
- Difficulty with motivation or enjoyment
- Anxiety and depression together
- Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
- Burnout and chronic stress
- Ongoing symptoms despite therapy or medication
When you're ready, book your free TMS suitability assessment.
Not only a mindset issue
Depression reflects how networks in the brain are functioning, not a shortfall in character. In our Calgary offices, we see capable people whose symptoms persist despite real effort.
Targeted, evidence-based stimulation is one way to address that dimension directly, alongside careful assessment.
Why TMS is often considered
- Drug-free treatment
- No downtime after sessions
- Non-invasive and well-tolerated
- Targets brain function directly
- Clinically guided care
TMS works at the level of brain function, personalized for you
TMS for depression, provided as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate activity in brain regions linked to mood and motivation, without adding medication.
In Canada, TMS is delivered under Health Canada requirements using approved devices and appropriate clinical oversight. It is commonly used when depression has not responded adequately to first-line care and is supported by a strong research literature (including regulatory evaluation of specific devices in jurisdictions such as the United States).
At Sano State Psychology, planning is led by a registered psychologist: we connect research evidence to your history, goals, and objective assessment. That is how we build a personalized TMS plan.
Many people explore TMS when they want a drug-free or brain-targeted option with structured clinical guidance.
Individual response varies; suitability and risks are discussed openly before treatment begins.
Why choose Sano State Psychology?
- Psychologist-led care from assessment through treatment planning.
- Personalized protocols, informed by qEEG and structured measures, not a default protocol for everyone.
- Brain-based reasoning you can understand: what we observe, why it matters, what we adjust.
- Clinical experience integrating TMS with psychological care and candidacy assessment.
- Focus on the whole person, not symptoms in isolation.
- Warm, professional setting in Calgary and surrounding communities we serve.
What people often experience
Everyone's different; timelines and results vary. Some individuals notice subtle changes early in treatment, while others experience improvement more gradually over time.
Themes that come up in clinical practice include:
- Our clients often describe noticing more mental clarity over time.
- Some individuals report increased motivation and energy during a course of treatment.
- We frequently hear that day-to-day tasks can begin to feel more manageable.
- People commonly describe feeling more engaged socially and emotionally as symptoms shift.
How the therapy works
A short, plain-language overview of how TMS uses focused magnetic pulses in a clinical treatment, helpful context if you're new to the approach.
Video: Exomind, mechanism of action (illustrative).
Simple. Comfortable. No downtime.
- ✓ Seated, relaxed
- ✓ Device placed on scalp
- ✓ Rhythmic tapping sensation
- ✓ Return to normal activities immediately
Private, unhurried visits, designed to feel approachable, not clinical.
What people are working toward
Goals look different for everyone; these are common hopes people bring into care, not promises of a specific outcome.
- Feeling like yourself again
- Improved mood and emotional stability
- More energy and motivation
- Clearer thinking and focus
- Greater control over daily life
Curious about cost?
We usually design the program around your assessment and goals. If you want a starting scenario to orient yourself, our Treatment Program Builder opens with a common 3-week example: an initial assessment, six TMS sessions, and a progress assessment. Your clinical plan may differ; this is only a way to explore numbers before you talk with us.
From there you can walk through insurance estimates, payment options, and financial assistance, add your contact details when you're ready, and email a link to finish later if you need to step away.
Opens the Treatment Program Builder in a new tab (insurance step first).
Next step: a suitability assessment
There is no pressure to commit to treatment. The conversation is confidential and focused on whether TMS may be appropriate for you.
- Personal, psychologist-led discussion of your history and goals
- Review whether TMS may be a clinically appropriate option
- Space to ask questions at your pace
- Available virtually (Zoom) or in person at our Calgary-area locations
- Optional brief in-office experience of TMS sensation during the suitability process when appropriate
Prefer to explore a sample program cost first? Starting scenario (Treatment Program Builder).
Questions, answered
- What is TMS?
- TMS is transcranial magnetic stimulation: a non-invasive way to influence brain activity using magnetic pulses. rTMS (repetitive TMS) is the repeated-pulse form most commonly used for depression. In Calgary, we provide psychologist-led TMS care grounded in that evidence base, with treatment delivered using authorized approaches and appropriate clinical oversight.
- What happens in a free TMS suitability assessment?
- You meet with a registered psychologist (in person or by secure video) to review your history, discuss whether TMS may be appropriate, and ask questions. There is no pressure to proceed. When clinically appropriate, a brief in-office experience of the TMS sensation can be arranged as part of understanding the process.
- Does this work if medication hasn't helped?
- TMS is commonly considered when depression hasn't responded well to medication or talk therapy. Research supports repetitive TMS in treatment-resistant depression, and it may be an option worth discussing if you and your clinician agree it fits your situation. Individual response varies; we'll walk you through realistic expectations in consultation.
- Is it safe?
- Yes. TMS is a Health Canada-approved, non-invasive treatment widely used for depression in clinical settings. Sessions do not require anesthesia, and most people return to their usual activities afterward. Any treatment has risks and contraindications; we review your history carefully to determine suitability.
- Is this covered under insurance?
- At all Sano State Psychology clinics this work is done under the care of a registered psychologist. Most insurance plans offer partial or full reimbursement. We are often able to direct bill to them for you. For those that don't have insurance, or have limited benefits, we offer flexible payment options when needed. We believe this should be affordable for all, and work hard to make it happen.