TMS Therapy
For depression that has not responded to medication alone.
TMS therapy at Three Rivers Mental Health for treatment-resistant depression, OCD, and anxiety. Non-invasive, outpatient, and covered by most major insurance plans.
How TMS works
A TMS device delivers focused magnetic pulses to a region of the prefrontal cortex that's underactive in depression. Each pulse lasts hundredths of a second; repeated thousands of times across a session, they coax that region back into rhythm.
You sit upright in a chair, awake, for 3 to 19 minutes, depending on your treatment plan. The coil rests against your scalp. You can talk, read, or listen to music. There's a tapping sensation, sometimes mild discomfort for the first few sessions, then nothing. You drive yourself home.
- Location
- Acton, MA
- Session
- 3–19 minutes
- Course
- 6 weeks · weekdays
- Setting
- Outpatient · awake
- Recovery
- None · drive yourself home
Why TMS exists
For roughly one in three people with depression, the standard treatments don't go far enough. TMS uses focused magnetic pulses to reach parts of the brain medication can't, without sedation or systemic side effects.
- FDA-cleared since
- 2008
Your TMS treatment schedule
A complete course runs about eight weeks end to end, with daily visits during the active phase. Most people feel a shift around week three.
- 1Week 0
Consultation
We review your history, previous treatments, and goals to assess whether TMS is appropriate. We also start insurance verification.
- 2Day 1
Mapping
A 60-minute session to find your individual motor threshold and target the right cortical region.
- 3Weeks 1–6
Daily treatment
30 sessions, Monday through Friday. Each one runs 3 to 19 minutes. Most patients return to work the same day.
- 4Weeks 7–8
Taper
Treatment gradually decreases from daily sessions to twice a week, then once a week.
- 5Ongoing
Follow-up
We stay in touch. If symptoms return, a brief course of maintenance treatment can usually restore the gains.
Who TMS is for
TMS may be a fit if
- You've tried two or more antidepressants without lasting relief.
- Medication side effects have been difficult to tolerate.
- Your symptoms have been interfering with daily life for some time, including work, sleep, or relationships.
- You've been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, OCD, or anxious depression.
- You're 18 or older, medically stable, and not currently pregnant.
We'll talk it through if
- You have a history of seizures or a metallic implant near the head.
- You're in active substance use treatment — TMS often pairs well, but the timing matters.
- You're taking medications that affect seizure threshold; we'll review with your prescriber.
- You'd like a clinician to assess whether TMS is appropriate before you decide.
Nina Abelowitz
More than seventeen years in medicine
Nina spent six years as a primary care nurse practitioner at Harvard's Health Services and six years in oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital before training in psychiatric care at UMass Medical School. She founded Three Rivers after working in primary care, oncology, and psychiatry.
She runs every TMS consultation, mapping, and treatment course herself. She's a Polaris-trained ketamine provider and an adjunct lecturer at Simmons College. Originally from South Florida, Nina has lived in the Boston area for many years. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Most patients arrive at TMS after years of trying everything else. The first thing I tell them is — this isn't your last option. It's a real one.
| Experience | 17+ years |
|---|---|
| Trained at | Simmons · UMass Medical |
| Licensed in | Massachusetts · New Hampshire |
| Featured in | The Boston Globe |
Covered by most major plans
TMS is broadly covered for treatment-resistant depression and is increasingly covered for OCD. We handle prior authorization end to end; verification typically takes one to two business days.
| TMS initial consult | $400 |
|---|---|
| TMS full course | $8,000 |
| Accelerated TMS (5-day protocol) | $8,000 |
These are self-pay rates. We check your insurance coverage before you start.
Contact us to learn more| Blue Cross Blue Shield | In-network |
|---|---|
| Aetna | In-network |
| United / Mass General Brigham | In-network |
| Cigna | In-network |
| Harvard Pilgrim | In-network |
| Tufts (commercial) | In-network |
| Medicare | Medication management only |
Don't see your plan? Many out-of-network plans still cover TMS at partial rates — call us to check.
Who you'd see
Every consultation, mapping, and treatment course is run by Nina, with Sankalp, our TMS technician, assisting through the daily sessions.
Meet the full team
Questions about TMS
If TMS isn't the right fit
Request a TMS consultation
The first step is a phone call with our TMS team to walk you through the process and answer your questions.
