Accelerated TMS in Rhode Island
Accelerated TMS
We offer accelerated TMS in one-day and five-day protocols for adults living with depression that hasn’t improved with medication alone. Both options condense a full course of TMS into a more manageable schedule, so you can pursue relief without weeks of daily appointments.
What Is Accelerated TMS?
Traditional TMS is delivered once a day, five days a week, over several weeks. Accelerated TMS uses the same TMS technology on a compressed schedule, with multiple short sessions each treatment day.
We offer two accelerated TMS protocols. The first is a one-day TMS treatment that pairs 20 brief sessions with two medications. The second is a five-day protocol based on the accelerated approach developed by researchers at Stanford.
Your evaluation helps us determine which option, if either, fits your history and goals.
Two accelerated options: one day or five days
MEDICALLY SUPERVISED FROM START TO FINISH
Every plan starts with a full psychiatric evaluation
FOLLOW-UP CARE CONTINUES AFTER TREATMENT DAY
Fewer Visits
Treatment condensed into one or five days, instead of daily visits spread over several weeks.
Two Protocol Options
A single-day or five-day schedule, guided by our team and based on your evaluation.
Medically Supervised
Our team monitors your comfort and progress throughout the entire treatment.
Ongoing Support
Improvement may build over the following weeks, and we stay with you through that time.
What Conditions Can TMS Help With?
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Is Accelerated TMS Right for You?
When antidepressants haven’t brought the relief you need, accelerated TMS offers a different way forward. But, it isn’t the right fit for everyone. That’s why every treatment plan starts with a full evaluation by our team.
You may be a good candidate if:
You’ve tried two or more antidepressants without lasting relief
Work, school, or family commitments make daily visits for several weeks difficult
You live far from our office and want to keep travel to a minimum
You’re interested in a newer, research-based approach to TMS
You want a medically supervised option with follow-up care after treatment
Accelerated TMS vs. Traditional TMS
All three options—traditional TMS, one-day treatment, and five-day treatment—use the same core TMS technology. The main differences are timing, medication, and coverage. Our team will help you decide which one fits your needs.
Not sure if an alternative treatment may be more appropriate for you? Click here to read how we guide patients toward the right treatment.
Traditional TMS
- Daily sessions, 5 days a week, over several weeks
- 20–40 minutes per session
- No medication as part of treatment
- FDA-approved for depression
- Improvement may build gradually over the course of treatment
- May be covered by insurance, depending on your plan
Five-Day Accelerated TMS
- 10 sessions a day, 5 days in a row
- Sessions spaced about 50 minutes apart
- No medication as part of treatment
- Based on Stanford’s accelerated protocol
- Improvement may begin during or after treatment week
- Insurance coverage varies
One-Day Accelerated TMS
- 20 sessions in a single day
- Sessions spaced about 30 minutes apart
- Two medications taken before your first session
- FDA-approved TMS technology in an emerging protocol
- Improvement may build over the 1–4 weeks after treatment
- Insurance coverage varies
New to TMS?
Learn more about how transcranial magnetic stimulation works, what a session feels like, and who it may help.
What to Expect From an Accelerated TMS Protocol
Whichever schedule you choose, your treatment is carefully planned, from your first call through your follow-up care.
01. Free Discovery Call
Talk with our team about your history and goals, and find out whether intensive TMS treatment may be a good fit.
02. EVALUATION & PLANNING
We review your medical history and medications, answer your questions, and help you choose a protocol and schedule your treatment.
03. YOUR TREATMENT
You’ll relax in a treatment chair while a magnetic coil rests near your scalp. Most people describe it as a light tapping feeling. Between sessions, you can read, rest, or listen to music.
04. AFTER TREATMENT
If your protocol includes medication, plan for someone to drive you home and take the rest of the day to rest.
05. Ongoing Care
Improvement may build over the following weeks. Our team checks in regularly to track your progress and plan next steps.
Finding time for treatment shouldn’t be another obstacle. Accelerated TMS offers a focused, medically supervised path toward relief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated TMS
Is accelerated TMS experimental?
It depends on the protocol. Accelerated TMS isn’t a single treatment. It’s a group of schedules that deliver TMS sessions over a shorter timeframe than traditional TMS. Some accelerated protocols are FDA-cleared for depression, some are built on well-established TMS research, and others are still being studied. Our five-day protocol is based on Stanford’s accelerated protocol whichs is FDA-approved, while the one-day protocol is newer and research is ongoing. During your Discovery Call, we’ll explain which approach may fit your needs, what the research shows, and what’s still being studied, so you can make an informed decision. Learn more in our article, Can Depression Be Treated in 1 Day?
How do I know whether the one-day or five-day protocol is right for me?
It depends on your history, current medications, schedule, and goals. Your evaluation helps us recommend the best fit, and sometimes that’s traditional TMS or a different treatment altogether.
Are medications part of treatment? Can I drive home?
For the five-day protocol, you can typically drive yourself home after each session. The five-day protocol doesn’t initially include medication, but we’ll talk with you about whether adding one may support your treatment, and some patients choose to. The one-day protocol includes two medications taken before your first session, so please plan for someone to drive you home. We review any medication and its possible side effects with you in advance.
Is it safe? What are the side effects?
TMS is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are scalp discomfort or a mild headache, which tend to ease after sessions. People tend to describe the feeling as a gentle tapping. TMS carries a small risk of seizure, which is one reason every plan starts with a full medical and psychiatric evaluation.
Why hasn't my psychiatrist mentioned this?
Accelerated TMS is relatively new and requires specialized equipment and training, so many practices don’t offer it yet. That isn’t a reflection on your current care, and with your permission, we’re happy to coordinate with your psychiatrist.
How is accelerated TMS different from traditional TMS?
Both use the same core TMS technology. Traditional TMS involves one session a day, for five days a week, over several weeks. Accelerated TMS means receiving more than one session in a single day, which shortens the overall treatment timeline. At Bluewater, we offer two accelerated options: a five-day protocol based on Stanford’s accelerated protocol, and a one-day protocol.
Request a Discovery Call
Are you a candidate for TMS or psychiatric services?
Request a Discovery Call to find out how we can help you achieve your mental, emotional, and behavioral goals.
Office Hours
Monday: 9am-5pm
Tuesday: 9am-5pm
Wednesday: 9am-8pm
Thursday: 9am-5pm
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