When the FDA cleared transcranial magnetic stimulation for major depressive disorder in 2008, it validated decades of research into a non-invasive brain stimulation approach that produces no systemic side effects, requires no sedation, and fits into a workday. Despite that FDA clearance and more than fifteen years of clinical use, many patients in central Minnesota remain unaware that TMS exists or assume it is only available in major metropolitan centers. At Aurora Mental Health & Wellness in Waite Park, we offer NeuroStar TMS Therapy as a local option for patients whose depression has not responded adequately to medication or who cannot tolerate medication side effects.
How TMS Works
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) delivers precisely focused magnetic pulses to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — a brain region consistently identified in neuroimaging research as underactive in patients with major depressive disorder. These magnetic pulses, which are similar in strength to those used in MRI machines, stimulate neurons in the targeted area and over a course of treatment produce neuroplastic changes associated with mood improvement. Because TMS acts directly on specific brain circuits rather than on the entire body’s biochemistry, it does not produce the systemic side effects that lead many patients to discontinue antidepressants — no weight gain, no sexual dysfunction, no gastrointestinal disruption, no emotional blunting. The term “FDA-cleared” in this context is precise: it reflects a regulatory determination, based on substantial clinical evidence, that TMS is both safe and effective for its approved indications.
At Aurora Mental Health & Wellness, TMS sessions are conducted in our Waite Park clinic with each patient seated comfortably in a chair while the TMS device is positioned against the scalp. Sessions typically last between 20 and 45 minutes depending on the protocol, patients remain fully awake and alert, and there is no recovery period. After a session, patients drive themselves home and return to normal activities. This absence of downtime is clinically meaningful — it means a TMS course does not require time away from work, family, or other obligations, which is a real-world consideration that matters enormously to many of our patients in central Minnesota.
Emily Luitjens, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, leads the clinical evaluation process for TMS at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness. Her training across VA settings — where she worked with patients carrying complex psychiatric profiles including MDD, PTSD, and anxiety disorders — gives her a particularly strong foundation for evaluating patients whose depression has not responded to conventional treatment. TMS candidacy depends on a thorough review of your diagnosis, prior treatment history, and any potential contraindications. Patients with certain metal implants near the head or a history of seizure disorder require careful evaluation, for example, and we conduct that assessment carefully. We encourage you to discuss with your provider your complete medical history before beginning TMS.
One barrier we consistently encounter is the misconception that TMS is appropriate only after every medication has been tried and failed. Insurance coverage criteria do often require documentation of prior antidepressant failures — typically one or two trials — before approving TMS, and this has contributed to the perception that TMS belongs at the end of a long treatment sequence. But TMS is an FDA-cleared intervention, and for patients who are intolerant of antidepressant side effects, who prefer a non-pharmacological approach, or who have experienced partial but inadequate medication response, TMS can reasonably be part of the conversation earlier in the treatment process. The key is working with a provider who can articulate the clinical rationale clearly to your insurance and to you. Patients navigating treatment-resistant depression in Minnesota will find that specialized care options, including TMS, are more accessible than many expect.
A second barrier involves the emotional weight of navigating another new treatment after a string of disappointments. Many patients who reach TMS candidacy have already lived through the hope and let-down cycle of multiple antidepressant trials, and the idea of investing in something else — emotionally as much as financially — feels exhausting. We understand that, and we approach every evaluation with honesty about what TMS research shows: response rates are meaningful, TMS is well-tolerated, and results vary by individual. We are not in the business of overselling any treatment, and we will tell you clearly when the evidence supports enthusiasm and when it calls for measured expectations.
The typical TMS treatment course at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness involves daily sessions over four to six weeks, and our team monitors your response throughout, adjusting the protocol when clinically indicated. TMS is generally very well-tolerated; the most common side effect is mild scalp discomfort or headache during the first several sessions, which typically diminishes as treatment progresses. For patients in the Waite Park, St. Cloud, Sartell, and surrounding area, FDA-cleared TMS therapy is now available without a long drive to the Twin Cities — and that local access changes what is practically possible for depression treatment in St. Cloud and Waite Park, MN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “FDA-cleared” mean for TMS?
FDA clearance means the agency has reviewed clinical evidence and determined a treatment is safe and effective for its approved use. TMS was FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder in 2008 and has expanded clearances for additional indications. Unlike off-label treatments, cleared TMS is used within an FDA-approved framework for depression.
How is TMS different from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
TMS and ECT are both brain stimulation approaches, but they are fundamentally different. ECT delivers electrical current directly to the brain under general anesthesia and produces a controlled seizure. TMS uses magnetic pulses, requires no anesthesia, produces no seizure, causes no memory impairment, and is conducted on an outpatient basis. Most patients find TMS far less daunting than ECT.
How long are TMS sessions at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness?
Session duration varies by protocol, typically ranging from 20 to 45 minutes. You remain awake and comfortable throughout, and there is no recovery period — you can drive yourself home afterward.
Does insurance cover TMS for depression in Minnesota?
Many commercial insurance plans and Medicare cover TMS for major depressive disorder when medical necessity criteria are met, typically including documentation of prior antidepressant trial failures. Prior authorization is generally required. Our team will guide you through the insurance process.
Can TMS be combined with antidepressant medication?
Yes — TMS can be used alongside medication, psychotherapy, and other psychiatric services. The combination of TMS with ongoing medication management is common and clinically appropriate for many patients. Always discuss with your provider before making any changes to your current medication regimen.
Key Takeaways
- TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder and stimulates the prefrontal cortex using focused magnetic pulses — with no systemic side effects.
- Sessions require no sedation, no recovery time, and patients can drive themselves home and resume normal activities immediately after.
- Aurora Mental Health & Wellness in Waite Park offers FDA-cleared TMS, providing central Minnesota patients local access without traveling to the Twin Cities.
- Emily Luitjens evaluates each TMS candidate thoroughly, including medical history review for potential contraindications.
- Results vary by individual; TMS is well-tolerated with mild scalp discomfort as the most commonly reported side effect, typically diminishing after the first week.
Conclusion
Depression that has not responded to medication is a serious clinical challenge, but it is not a dead end. FDA-cleared TMS therapy offers a proven, tolerable, and now locally accessible option for patients in central Minnesota who need something different. At Aurora Mental Health & Wellness, we are committed to providing the full range of evidence-based psychiatric options to patients in Waite Park and the broader St. Cloud area — without requiring a three-hour drive to access them. To learn more about how TMS works for depression, read our overview of TMS Therapy in Minnesota and how it works for depression. If you have struggled with medication side effects or have not found adequate relief from antidepressants, schedule a consultation with our team, discuss whether TMS fits your clinical profile, and explore what a non-pharmacological path to depression treatment might look like for you.
References
U.S. Food and Drug Administration — TMS Device Clearance. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-tms-devices
National Institute of Mental Health — Brain Stimulation Therapies. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies
Mayo Clinic — Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/about/pac-20384625
American Psychiatric Association — TMS Practice Resources. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression/treatment
About Emily Luitjens
Emily Luitjens, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, is the lead provider at Aurora Mental Health & Wellness in Waite Park, MN, bringing over 10 years of experience from VA medical centers where she specialized in conditions where physical and psychological symptoms intertwine in complex ways. Her dual training as both a family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner gives her a comprehensive clinical lens for evaluating panic disorder, anxiety, depression, and PTSD — including presentations where somatic symptoms emerge before or instead of psychological fear. At Aurora Mental Health & Wellness, she offers medication management, psychiatric services, and individualized care plans grounded in neurobiological precision and VA-level rigor.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Information provided by Aurora Mental Health & Wellness is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Results vary by individual, and no outcomes are guaranteed. Always discuss with your provider before making any changes to your mental health treatment plan. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.