Depression Treatment with TMS in Olympia, University Place & Yelm

Depression brings persistent low mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep, appetite, and concentration that affect daily life. Antidepressants and therapy help many people, but not everyone, and side effects can become their own obstacle.


Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a different path. It's a non-invasive, non-systemic treatment; nothing circulates through your bloodstream, and it uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain regions involved in mood. TMS is FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, and Creative Wellness delivers it with NeuroStar technology at our Olympia, University Place, and Yelm clinics, serving Tacoma and the wider South Sound.

How TMS Treats Depression

Current Limitations & Considerations

  • Not effective for everyone. Many people improve, but responses vary and usually require completing a full course.


  • Time & commitment. Daily weekday visits for several weeks, plus an initial physician mapping visit.



  • Safety & medications. A physician screening is required for seizure risk, metal implants in the head, and interacting medications.

Depression is linked to reduced activity in the brain's frontal mood-regulating regions, most notably the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and overactivity in deeper limbic areas. These circuit changes disrupt emotion, motivation, sleep, and concentration. TMS targets them directly.

  • How it works in the brain

    In depression, the left DLPFC is under-active while deeper limbic circuits are overactive, disrupting mood, motivation, sleep, and concentration.


    How TMS helps: High-frequency pulses to the left DLPFC strengthen top-down control and calm limbic reactivity, personalized with motor-threshold mapping for safety.

  • Helping the brain adapt

    Depression often locks the brain into rigid, negative patterns.


    How TMS helps: TMS encourages the brain to form new connections, which can make therapy and behavioral change more effective and longer-lasting.

  • Relief that lasts

    Many individuals with autism struggle with emotional regulation and anxiety.


    How TMS helps:


    TMS may help modulate brain activity in areas associated with mood and emotional processing, potentially reducing anxiety and emotional outbursts.


  • Alongside your other treatment

    Depression usually responds best to a combination of treatments.


    How TMS helps: TMS complements medication and therapy, and we coordinate it with medication management, counseling, and genetic testing when it helps.

Is TMS for Depression Right for You?


Choosing a mental health treatment should be a careful, considered process. TMS for depression is worth discussing if you:

Have tried two or more antidepressants without a successful outcome, or couldn't tolerate them, a pattern often described as treatment-resistant depression.
Experience intolerable side effects from medication and want a non-drug option.
Prefer a non-invasive treatment that requires no sedation, surgery, or recovery time.
Are looking for relief that can last, with the option of maintenance if needed.
See If TMS Is Right →

Is TMS for Depression Right for You?


Choosing a mental health treatment should be a careful, considered process. TMS for depression is worth discussing if you:

Have tried two or more antidepressants without a successful outcome, or couldn't tolerate them, a pattern often described as treatment-resistant depression.
Experience intolerable side effects from medication and want a non-drug option.
Prefer a non-invasive treatment that requires no sedation, surgery, or recovery time.
Are looking for relief that can last, with the option of maintenance if needed.
See If TMS Is Right →

What a Course of TMS Looks Like

  • Tell Us What’s Going On

    Take the quiz or send us a message. Your responses go straight to our care team (not a bot) so we can understand what you’re going through and how we can help.

  • Get Matched With a Personalized Plan

    Our clinicians review your information and recommend treatments tailored to you. Options may include therapy, medication, TMS, genetic testing, or a thoughtful combination based on your needs.

  • Begin Care That Makes Sense for You

    Whether it's weekly therapy, a medication plan, or a TMS schedule, we'll walk with you each step of the way. We’ll track progress, adjust as needed, and support you for the long haul.

  • Consultation & mapping

    A physician reviews your history, screens for safety, and performs motor-threshold mapping to personalize your treatment.

  • Daily sessions

    One session per day, five days a week, over roughly four to six weeks. Each involves about 20 minutes of stimulation.

  • Back to your day

    No sedation and no downtime, so most people drive themselves and return to work or daily activities right after.

  • Review & maintenance

    We track your response throughout and discuss maintenance sessions if they'd help protect your progress.

TMS is generally well tolerated, with mild, short-lived side effects such as scalp discomfort or headache. See our TMS Benefits & Side Effects

What a Course of TMS Looks Like

  • Tell Us What’s Going On

    Take the quiz or send us a message. Your responses go straight to our care team (not a bot) so we can understand what you’re going through and how we can help.

  • Get Matched With a Personalized Plan

    Our clinicians review your information and recommend treatments tailored to you. Options may include therapy, medication, TMS, genetic testing, or a thoughtful combination based on your needs.

  • Begin Care That Makes Sense for You

    Whether it's weekly therapy, a medication plan, or a TMS schedule, we'll walk with you each step of the way. We’ll track progress, adjust as needed, and support you for the long haul.

  • Consultation & mapping

    A physician reviews your history, screens for safety, and performs motor-threshold mapping to personalize your treatment.

  • Daily sessions

    One session per day, five days a week, over roughly four to six weeks. Each involves about 20 minutes of stimulation.

  • Back to your day

    No sedation and no downtime, so most people drive themselves and return to work or daily activities right after.

  • Review & maintenance

    We track your response throughout and discuss maintenance sessions if they'd help protect your progress.

TMS is generally well tolerated, with mild, short-lived side effects such as scalp discomfort or headache. See our TMS Benefits & Side Effects

Cost & Insurance


A single course of TMS treatment costs $5,000. Many insurance companies recognize TMS as a critical mental health treatment and provide coverage for treatment-resistant depression, though coverage and criteria vary, so please check with your individual provider. We're experienced in navigating insurance policies and will help you understand your options.


For those paying out of pocket, we offer flexible self-pay arrangements, including credit card and Advance Care credit.

Pricing Guide

Cost & Insurance


A single course of TMS treatment costs $5,000. Many insurance companies recognize TMS as a critical mental health treatment and provide coverage for treatment-resistant depression, though coverage and criteria vary, so please check with your individual provider. We're experienced in navigating insurance policies and will help you understand your options.


For those paying out of pocket, we offer flexible self-pay arrangements, including credit card and Advance Care credit.

Pricing Guide

Other Ways We Treat Depression

TMS isn't the only path. If it isn't the right fit, or if a combined plan would serve you better, we offer other evidence-based treatments for depression, often used together.

Counseling & Therapy

Talk therapy for depression, anxiety, and life's challenges for individuals, couples, and families.

Counseling →

Medication Management

Personalized psychiatric prescribing and monitoring, coordinated with the rest of your care.

Medication management →

Spravato (Esketamine)

A rapid-acting, FDA-approved option for treatment-resistant depression.

Spravato →

Genetic Testing

Pharmacogenetic testing that helps match you to medications more likely to work for you.

Genetic Testing →

Other Ways We Treat Depression

TMS isn't the only path. If it isn't the right fit, or if a combined plan would serve you better, we offer other evidence-based treatments for depression, often used together.

Counseling & Therapy

Talk therapy for depression, anxiety, and life's challenges for individuals, couples, and families.

Counseling →

Medication Management

Personalized psychiatric prescribing and monitoring, coordinated with the rest of your care.

Medication management →

Spravato (Esketamine)

A rapid-acting, FDA-approved option for treatment-resistant depression.

Spravato →

Genetic Testing

Pharmacogenetic testing that helps match you to medications more likely to work for you.

Genetic Testing →

Your Nearest Creative Wellness Clinic

Creative Wellness TMS serves patients across Thurston and Pierce counties from three Washington clinics. If you're looking for TMS for depression near you, start with the location closest to you:

"Dr. Simonsen and his staff were great! They were patient and accommodating during my TMS journey. I always felt comfortable during my appointments. Highly recommend!"


Brittney M.

Tailored Care, Built Around You

Featured Resources

Is TMS Right For Me?


Valuable questions to ask yourself while making your decision about what treatment pathway to pursue!


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What to Expect?


The critical stages of our treatment options to ensure you enter your appointments with confidence.


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Benefits & Side Effects


TMS is a brain stimulation technique that aims to manage mental health symptoms


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Why Choose

 Creative Wellness?

Choosing the right mental health provider is important, and you deserve compassionate, expert care. At Creative Wellness, we provide personalized, evidence-based treatments that help patients take control of their mental health. Here's why so many trust us:

Insurance & Flexible Payment Options

Comprehensive, Holistic Mental Health Solutions

Experienced, Compassionate Care Team

Advanced Genetic Testing for Precision Medicine

Minimally Invasive & Side Effect-Free Alternatives

Proven Success & High Efficacy

83%

of patients experienced symptom improvement, with 62% achieving full remission after completing TMS.

"From the first visit, Creative Wellness exceeded my expectations. Dr. Keays and her staff are genuine, the results are real, and the atmosphere is empowering. The care that I received from Creative Wellness has transformed my life enormously."

"I cannot say enough about Creative Solutions, Dr. Simonsen, his staff, and TMS. I was skeptical but decided to give it a try. They were very thorough in explaining the what's/why's/how's and extremely professional every step of the way. I feel better than I have in YEARS."

"TMS therapy was super helpful, I came to him with severe depression and taking meds that helped very minimally! I was impressed with how quickly I noticed changes with my mental health and my desire to actually want to get up and do things where as before I had zero desire for anything! "

Medications didn’t work. Therapy wasn’t enough.

Crossed Off Your Options? There’s Still Hope

If traditional treatments haven’t worked, it’s time to explore a proven alternative. Safe, effective and medication-free. See if TMS is the right option for you.

Take the Quiz →

Request Appointment

For more details or to schedule a consultation, give us a call at 253-900-1605 or fill out our online form.

What Happens Next?

Personalized recommendations based on your needs

Guidance on insurance & payment options

Get answers to your questions about our treatments

1800 Cooper Point Road SW, Olympia, WA 98502

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