Advanced Treatment
TMS Therapy for OCD
For adults with OCD who have not found adequate relief from therapy or medication, TMS offers a non-invasive, outpatient option that targets the area of the brain involved in obsessive thought patterns.
FDA-Cleared for OCD in Adults
HOW IT WORKS
A different protocol for a different target.
The TMS protocol used for OCD targets the supplementary motor area (SMA) of the brain, a region involved in the repetitive urges and compulsive behaviors that characterize OCD. This is a different target than the prefrontal cortex protocol used for depression, which means TMS for OCD can be used even if you have not had depression, or can be layered alongside depression treatment.
Treatment is delivered in our office. Sessions take approximately 20 minutes each and are typically scheduled daily for six weeks. You do not need sedation and can drive yourself to and from appointments.
Who It's For
- Adults with a diagnosis of OCD
- People who have tried therapy (such as ERP) and/or medication without adequate relief
- Those looking for a non-medication alternative or complement to existing treatment
- Adults who have not found adequate relief from medication after multiple tries
what to expect
We begin with an evaluation to confirm you are a good candidate for TMS and to review your OCD history and previous treatments.
Sessions are outpatient and take about 20 minutes. You may feel a tapping sensation on your scalp. Most people tolerate treatment well after the first few sessions.
Many patients notice a reduction in the intensity of obsessions and the urge to perform compulsions over the course of treatment. Results can continue to develop after the final session.
TMS for OCD works best alongside ongoing therapy, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). We can coordinate with your existing therapist or connect you with one.
Covered by most major insurance plans for qualifying diagnoses. We handle prior authorization before you begin. Contact us with any questions about coverage.
TMS for OCD vs. TMS for Depression
These are two distinct FDA-cleared protocols using the same technology but targeting different brain regions. Some patients receive both. If you are living with both depression and OCD, we will discuss which approach, or combination, makes the most sense for you.
Patient Testimonial
Real Patients,real results.
Patient story - Audio
Read transcript
"I was very eager to start the treatment because of what I heard from Dr. Vemuri and also what I've seen on the internet — that it has a very high success rate. The first few sessions, the first few weeks, I didn't seem to be making a huge difference, but after about four weeks it really started to make a very big difference in my OCD. I think it was really a great thing to go through this treatment — it helped me a lot. My therapist also thinks this has made a big difference in me. I asked him last week and he said I went from talking to him about eight different things per week to only a couple of issues. So I think it's really been a godsend, and the other thing I want to note is that there has been no discomfort and no side effects at all. So I think this has been a positive all around."
Patient at Massachusetts Psychiatric Services