TMS Therapyat Desert Recovery Centers
FDA-cleared, drug free, non invasive treatment for depression, anxious depression, and OCD (add-on). Now available at our Phoenix outpatient center. Private pay available while payer credentialing is completed. Sessions as short as 19 minutes.
TMS Therapy at a Glance
- What it is
- A non-drug, non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for depression
- Device
- NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system
- Treats
- Major depressive disorder, depression with anxious symptoms, OCD (add-on), and depression in adolescents ages 15 to 21 (add-on)
- Typical course
- 5 sessions per week for 4 to 6 weeks, each session as little as 19 minutes, no downtime
- Where
- The Phoenix outpatient center, 4160 N. 108th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
- Provided by
- Desert TMS LLC, an affiliated licensed provider on-site at Desert Recovery Centers
- Cost
- Currently private pay while Desert TMS LLC completes payer credentialing; Medicare and Medicaid not accepted; call for cost and options
- Phone
- (623) 305-0496
See how NeuroStar TMS therapy works, FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment for depression
What Is TMS Therapy and How Does It Work?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-drug, non-invasive treatment for depression that uses focused magnetic pulses, similar to an MRI, to stimulate the specific area of the brain responsible for mood regulation. When depression takes hold, the connections in this region become underactive. NeuroStar TMS reawakens those connections, producing lasting changes in neurotransmitter levels without medication and without systemic side effects.
- Sessions last as little as 19 minutes
- 5 sessions per week for 4 to 6 weeks
- No sedation or anesthesia required
- No recovery time, return to normal activities immediately
- Performed in our comfortable outpatient setting
How Well Does TMS Work?
Most people who complete a full NeuroStar treatment course experience measurable relief from depression, according to NeuroStar's published outcomes data.
of patients who completed a full NeuroStar treatment cycle experienced measurable improvement in depression symptoms
achieved full remission, meaning their depression effectively went away
more likely to achieve remission compared to sham treatment in NIMH-funded independent clinical trial
NeuroStar treatments delivered worldwide, backed by the largest clinical dataset of any TMS system
Source: NeuroStar Outcomes Registry, NIMH-funded randomized controlled trial, real-world outcomes study
Who Is a Candidate for TMS Therapy?
If you have struggled with depression and have not found adequate relief from antidepressant medications, TMS therapy may be the breakthrough you have been waiting for. You may be a good candidate if:
- You have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Antidepressant medications have not provided adequate relief
- You have tried one or more antidepressant medications without success
- You experience significant side effects from antidepressant medications
- You prefer a drug-free treatment approach
- You have anxiety symptoms alongside depression (NeuroStar is FDA-cleared for anxious depression)
- You have OCD (NeuroStar is FDA-cleared as add-on treatment for OCD)
- You, or someone in your care, are ages 15 to 21 with depression that has not responded to standard care (NeuroStar is FDA-cleared for this age group as an add-on treatment)
TMS May Not Be Right For You If:
- You have metal implants in or near your head
- You have a history of seizures
- You have a cochlear implant or implanted brain stimulator
Our clinical team will conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine if TMS is appropriate for your specific situation.
Is TMS Available for Patients Ages 15 to 21?
Yes. NeuroStar TMS is FDA-cleared for adolescents ages 15 to 21 as an add-on treatment for depression, and adolescent TMS is provided by Desert TMS LLC, an affiliated licensed provider on-site at Desert Recovery Centers. According to NeuroStar, it is the first TMS system FDA-cleared for this age group, used alongside standard care such as therapy or medication rather than in place of it.
For a patient ages 15 to 21 who has tried antidepressant medication without enough relief, TMS offers a non-drug option with a well-studied safety profile. The clinical team completes a full evaluation to confirm TMS is appropriate before any sessions begin. For patients under 18, consent from a parent or legal guardian is generally required. Patients 18 and older provide their own informed consent, subject to any applicable legal exceptions.
An evening intensive outpatient program for adolescents ages 12 to 17 is also available at the same Phoenix location. Learn more on the adolescent treatment page.
Not an actual patient.
Why NeuroStar?
Desert TMS LLC, the affiliated licensed provider that delivers TMS on-site at Desert Recovery Centers, chose NeuroStar because the evidence is unmatched.
FDA-Cleared
FDA-cleared for MDD, anxious depression, and adult OCD (add-on), with over 6.6 million treatments delivered
Largest Clinical Dataset
Backed by over 65 peer-reviewed studies and the world's largest depression outcomes registry with data from over 17,700 patients
Drug-Free
No medication, no systemic side effects, no dependency risk. Focused treatment at the source of depression
Proven Durability
Benefits demonstrated to last over 12 months following acute treatment in naturalistic clinical studies
No Downtime
Sessions take as little as 19 minutes. Patients return to normal activities immediately after each session
Straightforward Private Pay
TMS at the Phoenix campus is currently offered on a private-pay basis while Desert TMS LLC completes payer credentialing. Call us and we will walk you through cost and options.
Where Is TMS Offered in Phoenix?
Our Phoenix outpatient center at 4160 N. 108th Ave houses a dedicated NeuroStar treatment suite. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) services are provided by Desert TMS LLC, a separately licensed Arizona Outpatient Treatment Center located within the Desert Recovery Centers campus. You come in for your session, sit in the comfortable treatment chair, complete your 19 minutes, and go about your day. No waiting room full of strangers. No clinical sterility. Just a focused, quiet space designed for exactly this purpose, staffed by a team that knows your name and your treatment plan.
Download Our TMS Brochures
Learn everything you need to know about NeuroStar TMS therapy before your first appointment.
NeuroStar TMS Patient Experiences
These videos are provided by NeuroStar and feature patients who have undergone TMS therapy using the NeuroStar Advanced Therapy system. They are shared to help you understand what TMS treatment is like. Results vary from person to person.
A NeuroStar TMS patient shares their experience with the therapy and how it changed their life.
Hear how NeuroStar TMS therapy helped a patient when medication alone was not enough.
A NeuroStar TMS patient describes their experience with treatment and the impact on their daily life.
Videos courtesy of NeuroStar.
Individual results may vary. Patient testimonials reflect personal experiences with NeuroStar TMS therapy and are not a guarantee of outcome. Patients featured in these videos are not necessarily patients of Desert Recovery Centers.
TMS as Part of Your Complete Recovery
At Desert Recovery Centers, we have always believed that lasting recovery requires treating the whole person. TMS therapy, provided on-site by Desert TMS LLC, integrates with DRC's clinical programs, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, BridgeWork™, and dual diagnosis treatment. For clients whose depression has not fully responded to therapy alone, TMS offers a powerful neurological complement to the clinical work already underway.
This is not a replacement for therapy. It is what makes therapy more accessible when the brain's circuitry has been holding you back.
TMS Is Available Now at Our Phoenix Center
The NeuroStar TMS suite at the Phoenix campus is open and accepting new patients. Call us today to schedule your initial consultation, talk through private-pay cost and options, and find out if TMS is right for you. Most patients begin treatment within one to two weeks of their first call.
Take the Depression Assessment
The NeuroStar PHQ-10 is a short questionnaire that helps our team understand your symptoms before your first visit. It takes about five minutes.
Or scan to complete on your phone
Hosted by Neuronetics. Your responses go to the Desert TMS care team.
Frequently Asked Questions
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Unlike antidepressant medications which affect the entire body, TMS delivers focused magnetic pulses directly to the region of the brain involved in mood regulation. It produces no systemic side effects and requires no sedation or recovery time.
TMS at the Phoenix campus is currently offered on a private-pay basis while Desert TMS LLC completes credentialing with insurance payers. We do not accept Medicare or Medicaid. Call (623) 305-0496 and we will walk you through cost and payment options.
A standard TMS treatment course consists of sessions 5 days per week over 4 to 6 weeks. Each session takes as little as 19 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities immediately afterward.
Yes. TMS is designed to work alongside other treatments including psychotherapy, medication, and residential programs. TMS is provided by Desert TMS LLC, an affiliated licensed provider on-site at Desert Recovery Centers, and sessions are coordinated with your clinical treatment plan.
Yes. NeuroStar TMS is FDA-cleared for adolescents ages 15 to 21 as an add-on treatment for depression, and adolescent TMS is provided by Desert TMS LLC, an affiliated licensed provider on-site at Desert Recovery Centers. The clinical team completes a full evaluation to confirm TMS is appropriate before sessions begin. For patients under 18, consent from a parent or legal guardian is generally required. Patients 18 and older provide their own informed consent, subject to any applicable legal exceptions.
NeuroStar TMS has been delivered in over 6.6 million treatments worldwide, according to NeuroStar. The most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort or headache during treatment that typically resolves quickly. Serious side effects are rare. Our clinical team will evaluate your full medical history before recommending TMS.
Yes. NeuroStar TMS therapy is available now at 4160 N. 108th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037, provided by Desert TMS LLC, an affiliated licensed provider on-site at Desert Recovery Centers. Call (623) 305-0496 to schedule your initial consultation. Most patients begin treatment within one to two weeks of their first call.
NeuroStar TMS therapy is FDA-cleared for Major Depressive Disorder, anxious depression, and OCD (add-on) in adults, and as an add-on treatment for depression in adolescents ages 15 to 21. Individual results vary. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) services are provided by Desert TMS LLC, a separately licensed Arizona Outpatient Treatment Center located within the Desert Recovery Centers campus. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine if TMS is appropriate for your situation. Medically reviewed by Dr. An Nguyen, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director, Desert Recovery Centers.