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TMS therapy in Sydney — transcranial magnetic stimulation
Dokotela's TMS pathway is psychiatrist-led: a comprehensive video assessment first, then in-clinic sessions delivered by experienced mental health nurses under psychiatrist oversight, currently through accredited partner clinics in Sydney. Your GP is kept informed at every stage.
Sessions take under an hour, you stay awake throughout, and you can drive yourself home afterwards.
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What a course of TMS involves
TMS is delivered as a course of sessions over several weeks, with treatment several days a week early on.
Each session takes 20 to 40 minutes. You sit in a chair, stay awake throughout, and can drive yourself home afterwards.
Medicare supports an initial course of up to 35 sessions for eligible adults, with a shorter retreatment course available if symptoms return.
Sessions are delivered by experienced mental health nurses under psychiatrist oversight, and your psychiatrist reviews your progress at set points during the course.
Who TMS may suit
TMS is generally considered for adults who:
- Have been diagnosed with depression and treated with at least two different antidepressants without enough improvement.
- Have not previously had a course of TMS.
- Want a treatment option that does not involve anaesthetic or a hospital admission.
Your Dokotela psychiatrist will confirm whether TMS is appropriate for you, explain the risks and benefits, and discuss other pathways if it is not the right fit.
This is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
Fees and funding
Your assessment is billed as a standard Dokotela psychiatry consultation. For eligible patients, Medicare rebates apply to the TMS sessions in an initial course.
DVA and workers compensation funding pathways may also apply. You will receive a clear written estimate before treatment begins.
Register your interest
Our TMS service in Sydney is opening soon. If you would like to hear when appointments open, leave your details and we will be in touch. GPs and health professionals are welcome to register too.
Registering does not create a referral or an appointment. Please speak with your GP about your current care in the meantime.
Your questions answered
TMS delivers repeated magnetic pulses to specific brain regions linked with mood regulation, while you sit comfortably and stay awake. A typical session takes 20 to 40 minutes. Most people feel a tapping sensation on the scalp; the most common side effects are mild scalp discomfort and headache that usually settle after the first sessions.
Yes, for eligible patients. Medicare supports an initial course of rTMS for adults with treatment-resistant depression who have not had TMS before, prescribed by a psychiatrist with approved training. Your psychiatrist confirms your eligibility, and you receive a clear written estimate before treatment begins.
TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses while you are awake, needs no anaesthetic, and you can drive yourself home afterwards. ECT is a different, hospital-based treatment performed under anaesthetic. They suit different situations, and your psychiatrist can explain which, if either, applies to you.
You are able to change or cancel your appointment anytime up until 48 hours before your appointment at no cost by completing a patient contact form or calling 02 8003 7668. Specialists providing care through Dokotela maintain a cancellation policy which requires at least 48 hours notice if you would like to cancel or change your appointment. These appointments are difficult to fill where your specialist has not been provided with enough notice, so they may charge a cancellation fee if you do not give at least 48 hours’ notice of a change/cancellation or you fail to show up for your appointment.
We are here to help.
TMS is one of several pathways
Our treatment-resistant depression clinic offers more than one advanced treatment option. One psychiatrist assessment considers every suitable pathway, so the recommendation is based on what suits you, not what a clinic happens to have.
