A Drug-Free Depression Treatment
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy for Depression in Albuquerque
TMS is a quick daily treatment for depression. It is the only drug-free, non-invasive device cleared by the FDA to treat major depression when other treatments have not worked. It does not use drugs and does not affect your whole body. We will contact you within 1 business day.
Why Choose Sage Neuroscience Center for TMS
Dr. Sutter was one of the first doctors in the country to offer TMS therapy, and the first to bring it to New Mexico. Our team has over 16 years of experience helping patients with this treatment. When you choose Sage, you are choosing a team that knows TMS inside and out.
- A quick daily treatment — Sessions are short and fit easily into your day. No surgery, no needles, no anesthesia.
- Drug-free and non-systemic — TMS does not send chemicals through your body the way pills do, so there are no body-wide side effects.
- The most targeted depression treatment available — magnetic pulses go right to the part of the brain that controls mood and nowhere else.
- Higher success rates than typical medication — clinical studies show TMS works about twice as well as placebo, with about 1 in 3 patients reaching full remission from depression.
- We contact you within 1 business day — when you reach out, you will hear back from our team fast.
New Patients Are Typically Seen in Less Than One Week
Proven Results from Clinical Studies
TMS does not just work a little better than other options — the results are dramatic. In an independent, NIMH-funded clinical trial, patients who received TMS were four times more likely to reach full remission than those who received a sham (fake) treatment. Doctors saw real improvement in as little as two weeks.
In a real-world outcomes registry tracking over 17,700 patients across 118 clinics, the numbers are even more striking:
These are not results from a small study — they come from the largest dataset in major depression, with real patients at real clinics just like ours. For many people, TMS delivers the relief that years of medication could not.
These results could be yours. A quick daily treatment, drug-free, and we can see you in less than a week.
You Should Not Have to Wait Weeks to Feel Better
Many clinics have wait lists that stretch for months. At Sage, we believe that when you are ready to take action against depression, you should not have to wait.
average wait for new TMS patients
New patients are usually seen in less than one week. That means you could have your first TMS evaluation just days after calling — and start treatment shortly after. When you reach out, our team will contact you within 1 business day.
How TMS Therapy Works
TMS is the most targeted treatment for depression available today. It uses focused magnetic pulses aimed at specific brain areas — unlike pills that travel through your whole body. The magnetic field passes through your hair, skin, and skull into the part of the brain that controls mood.
During each session, you stay wide awake. A small coil is placed near your head and sends gentle magnetic pulses to the left prefrontal cortex — the brain area that helps control how you feel. The strength of the magnetic field is about the same as an MRI machine.
These pulses create tiny electrical currents that wake up brain cells. The cells then release natural mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Want to find out if TMS is right for you? We will get back to you within 1 business day.
What to Expect from TMS Treatment
TMS is done right here in our Albuquerque office. Treatment is approved for patients aged 15 and older. You do not need anesthesia or sedation. You stay awake and comfortable during each visit, and you can drive yourself home when it is done.
Safety & Side Effects
In clinical trials with more than 10,000 treatments, TMS showed a strong safety record.
No Body-Wide Side Effects
Unlike antidepressant pills, TMS does not cause weight gain, sexual problems, nausea, dry mouth, or tiredness.
Improved Cognition
As depression lifts during TMS treatment, many people notice clearer thinking and better focus. You can drive yourself to and from each session.
Mild, Short-Lived Discomfort
Some people feel a mild headache or slight scalp tenderness at first. This usually goes away after the first week.
Have questions about TMS safety? Talk to Our Team
Meet Our TMS Team
Led by Dr. Sutter — the first doctor to bring TMS to New Mexico and one of the first in the U.S. to offer it — our team has over 16 years of hands-on TMS experience. We care about every patient and are here to help you feel better.
Is TMS Right for You? Take the Quiz.
Have you tried therapy or medication for depression but still do not feel better? TMS might be a good fit. Answer these quick questions to find out.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMS
Does insurance cover TMS?
Many insurance plans do cover TMS therapy for depression. Call our office at (505) 884-1114 and we can help you find out if your plan covers treatment.
What is TMS therapy?
TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is a treatment cleared by the FDA to help people with major depression who have not gotten better with other treatments. A small device sends gentle magnetic pulses to the part of your brain that controls mood. It is not a drug, and it is not surgery.
How does TMS work?
A small coil is placed near your head. It sends focused magnetic pulses through your scalp into a specific area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex. These pulses wake up brain cells that have become less active because of depression. When those cells wake up, they release natural mood-boosting chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.
Does TMS hurt?
Most people find TMS very comfortable. Some feel a light tapping on their scalp during treatment. There are no needles, no surgery, and no anesthesia. You stay fully awake the whole time.
How long does treatment take?
A full course of TMS is 30 sessions, Monday through Friday, over six weeks. After that, you have 5 shorter taper sessions. Each visit is done in our office and you can drive yourself home right after.
Who can get TMS?
TMS is approved for people aged 15 and older who have major depression and have not found enough relief from medication or therapy. If you have tried at least one antidepressant without success, you may be a good fit.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are a mild headache and slight scalp tenderness, which usually go away after the first week. Unlike antidepressant pills, TMS does not cause weight gain, nausea, sexual problems, or brain fog.
How well does TMS work?
In an NIMH-funded clinical trial, TMS patients were four times more likely to reach remission than those who got a sham treatment. In a real-world registry of over 17,700 patients, 83% experienced real improvement and 62% achieved complete remission. These success rates are much higher than what most people see with antidepressant medicine alone.
Is TMS better than antidepressant medication?
TMS is designed for people whose depression has not responded to medication. Because it targets only the brain area that controls mood, it avoids the body-wide side effects of drugs. Clinical studies show higher success rates than typical antidepressant medication for this group of patients.
How soon can I get an appointment?
New patients are usually seen in less than one week. We will contact you within one business day of your inquiry. Call (505) 884-1114 or contact us online to get started.
Still have questions? Ask Our Team
