Accelerated Deep TMS in Los Angeles, CA
Accelerated Deep TMS is an FDA-cleared BrainsWay protocol that condenses a depression treatment course into five short daily sessions over six treatment days, rather than a six-week schedule. At Breakthrough TMS in Glendale, we offer it to Los Angeles–area adults with major depression, under physician supervision.
Medically reviewed by Artur Saakyan, MD
What Is Accelerated Deep TMS?
Accelerated Deep TMS is the same FDA-cleared BrainsWay Deep TMS system used for standard treatment, delivered on a faster schedule. On September 16, 2025 the FDA cleared BrainsWay's accelerated protocol for major depressive disorder (MDD). It uses intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a brief, patterned form of the same Deep TMS, so each session takes under ten minutes.
It is not a different device or a different clinic experience. You still receive Deep TMS with the BrainsWay H1 coil, under the supervision of our psychiatrist, Artur Saakyan, MD, in the same private treatment rooms. What changes is the calendar: the core course is measured in days, not weeks.
The BrainsWay protocol is targeted using motor-threshold mapping and standardized helmet positioning, so it requires no fMRI or other neuroimaging-based brain mapping to begin, unlike some accelerated approaches, which depend on an individualized imaging scan to locate the treatment target. New to TMS? Start with what TMS is, or see how TMS works, step by step.
The Schedule: 6 Treatment Days vs. a 6-Week Course
Both use the same Deep TMS system. The difference is how the sessions are spaced.
| Treatment detail | Standard Deep TMS | Accelerated Deep TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions per day | One | Five (acute phase) |
| Acute course length | About 4–6 weeks of weekday sessions | 6 treatment days within a 14-day window* |
| Session length | About 20 minutes | Under 10 minutes |
| Stimulation pattern | High-frequency repetitive stimulation | Intermittent theta burst (iTBS) |
* After the acute phase, the accelerated protocol continues with a lighter maintenance phase: two sessions in one day, once weekly, for four weeks. Your exact plan is confirmed at your evaluation.
Who It May Be Right For
Candidacy is always determined at a clinical evaluation, but the accelerated schedule is often a good conversation for adults with major depression who:
- Travel a longer distance to reach us and would rather compress visits into fewer days
- Cannot easily take 6 weeks of daily weekday appointments around work or caregiving
- Are looking for a faster path through the core treatment course
Not sure which schedule fits? Our team walks you through both standard and accelerated adult TMS therapy in Los Angeles and helps you weigh them against your diagnosis and schedule. Accelerated Deep TMS is cleared for major depressive disorder; it is not offered for OCD or smoking cessation.
What the Research Shows
FDA clearance was supported by a pivotal randomized trial of 104 patients. In that trial, the accelerated protocol produced outcomes comparable to the standard Deep TMS course, with a shorter median time to remission, about 21 days, versus 28 days for the standard schedule, and no severe adverse events reported (Psychiatric Times).
In plain terms: the goal of the accelerated schedule is not a different result, but a shorter road to it for appropriate candidates. Individual results vary, and whether accelerated Deep TMS is right for you is decided together at your evaluation.
Safety
Accelerated Deep TMS is delivered with the same safety process we use for every course. Before and during treatment, our team re-checks your motor threshold to keep stimulation set correctly for you. Sessions are run by staff trained in emergency response, and a safety checklist is completed at every visit. We go over safety, and anything that would make TMS a poor fit for you, during your consultation, including screening for metal in or around the head.
Accelerated Deep TMS FAQs
How is accelerated Deep TMS different from standard TMS?
It uses the same FDA-cleared BrainsWay Deep TMS system on a condensed schedule. Instead of a standard course of about 8 weeks, the acute phase delivers five short sessions a day across six treatment days, so the core course finishes far sooner.
How many days does accelerated Deep TMS take?
The acute phase is six treatment days completed within a two-week window, with five sessions each treatment day. That is followed by a lighter maintenance phase of two sessions in one day, once weekly, for four weeks. Your exact plan is set at evaluation.
How long is each accelerated session?
Each session runs under ten minutes and uses intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a brief, patterned form of Deep TMS. You stay awake, there is no anesthesia or sedation, and most patients return to normal activities right after each visit.
Is accelerated Deep TMS as effective as the standard course?
In the pivotal trial that supported FDA clearance, outcomes were comparable to the standard Deep TMS course, with a shorter median time to remission and no severe adverse events reported. Whether it fits you is determined during your clinical evaluation.
Is accelerated Deep TMS covered by insurance?
Accelerated schedules are newer, and coverage is not uniform across plans. Coverage and candidacy vary by diagnosis, insurance plan, and clinical evaluation. Our care team verifies your benefits before treatment begins so you understand your options first.
Ask About the Accelerated Schedule
See if Accelerated Deep TMS Fits You
Consultation is free: meet with our care team to discuss coverage, candidacy, and what treatment looks like for you.
Schedule a Free ConsultationSchedule a Free Consultation