Therapeutic Brain Stimulation Clinical Services

No, ECT treatment is not the same as TMS treatment though both are Neurostimulation techniques. In TMS treatments , the patient does not have anaesthesia and magnetic currents are used to stimulate specific areas of the brain.

You would need your treating Psychiatrist or GP to provide a referral including summary of your clinical condition and treatments that you have received. The referral can be faxed to 03 7049 4045 , or emailed to TBSMelbourne@outlook.com.au

 

Before you can start treatment, you will be evaluated by one of the Panel Psychiatrists who specializes in Brain Stimulation Therapies with regards to your suitability for rTMS. This will include a thorough clinical assessment including treatment history and safety screening to determine the safety of treatment.

Usually, rTMS treatment can be offered as an outpatient treatment. rtMS treatment does not require sedation or anesthesia and usually there is no recovery time after a session of treatment.

 

We can offer Medicare funded rTMS treatment based on Medicare criteria. There is a small Out of Pocket fee for each treatment.

 

On some occasions, based on clinical presentations, severity of symptoms, and specific relevant circumstances, the recommendation may be to have rTMS as inpatient. If this is the case, the Psychiatrist will discuss this with you.

During the first rTMS session the TMS coil is positioned over the patient’s head and several measurements are done- this is called mapping. Mapping is a process to determine the point of stimulation and for determining the resting motor threshold which is required to individualise the treatment.

 

Once the mapping is completed the patient is able to undergo treatment which can last around 40 to 45 minutes based upon the protocols used. During the treatment patients can hear a series of clicking sounds and often feel a tapping sensation under the treatment coil. Usually there is no or minimal discomfort during the treatment.

You would need your treating Psychiatrist or GP to provide a referral including summary of the clinical condition and treatments received which can be sent via the link , on email or faxed to Therapeutic Brain Stimulation.

 

Your referral will be triaged and discussed with the available Panel Psychiatrist and accordingly an appointment will be booked. The appointment will be held either Face to Face or through online video platform and a thorough clinical assessment will be conducted.

 

Upon conclusion the Psychiatrist will provide and opinion to the referrer about suitability of these treatment options as well as any other requested questions by the referrer.

Yes, there is an applicable out of pocket fee which will be discussed when the appointment is being booked by the staff. However, part of the fee would be Medicare debatable.