TMS Therapy
in Thailand
at Viva Rehab
When Medication and Therapy Haven’t Been Enough, There Is Another Option
Viva Rehab is one of the only treatment centers in Thailand to offer TMS therapy in a residential, non-hospital setting. For clients whose depression or anxiety has not responded to medication or therapy alone, TMS is available as an optional service at an additional cost.
What TMS
Therapy Treats
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is most commonly used to treat major depressive disorder, particularly in cases where medication has not produced adequate results. It is also used for generalized anxiety disorder and certain symptoms associated with PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Many clients arrive at Viva Rehab having tried multiple medications and years of outpatient therapy without finding lasting relief. For these clients, TMS offers a different mechanism of action: rather than working through the bloodstream like medication, it targets specific areas of the brain directly. This makes it a valuable option for what clinicians refer to as treatment-resistant depression, where standard approaches have not been sufficient on their own.
TMS is also relevant for clients being treated for addiction with co-occurring depression or anxiety. Because substance use and mental health conditions frequently reinforce each other, addressing the depression or anxiety component with TMS can support the broader recovery process.
What Is
TMS Therapy
TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared procedure that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in regions of the brain associated with mood regulation. The technology works by delivering brief magnetic pulses through a coil placed against the scalp. These pulses pass through the skull and activate areas of the brain that are underactive in people with depression.
The procedure does not require anesthesia, sedation, or any recovery time. Clients remain fully awake and alert throughout. TMS does not involve electrical currents passing through the brain and does not cause seizures or memory loss. Most clients describe the sensation as a tapping or clicking on the scalp, which typically becomes less noticeable over the course of treatment.
Who Is TMS Therapy For
TMS may be recommended if one or more of the following applies:
- You have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and have tried one or more antidepressant medications without achieving adequate relief.
- Your anxiety or depressive symptoms have persisted despite ongoing therapy, or you want to reduce your reliance on psychiatric medication.
- You are being treated for addiction with co-occurring depression or anxiety, and the mood component is complicating your recovery.
TMS is not suitable for everyone. Clients with cochlear implants, certain metal implants near the head, or a history of seizures may not be eligible. Your therapist will confirm whether TMS is an option for you during your assessment.
How TMS Fits Into Your Treatment at Viva Rehab
TMS at Viva Rehab is an optional service, available to clients whose depression or anxiety may need additional support alongside their standard program. It is priced separately, at US$1,500 for a 10-session series.
A standard course involves sessions five days a week, each lasting around 20 minutes, typically over four to six weeks. Sessions take place around the rest of your schedule without disrupting your other therapeutic work.
Because TMS takes place within a residential setting, your clinical team can observe how you respond day to day, not just during sessions. If TMS begins to lift your mood, your therapist can build on that in individual sessions, moving into deeper work that may not have been accessible before.
Do TMS clients see results?
Viva measures every client’s progress using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a clinically validated tool for measuring depression severity. These are our 2025 outcomes based on a 10-Session Course.
| Outcome | Result | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
|
Reduced depression scores |
83% |
Showed measurable improvement in depression symptoms |
|
Single level improvement |
71% |
Moved down one level, such as from
‘Severe’ to ‘Moderate’ or ‘Moderate’ to ‘Mild’ |
|
Multiple level improvement |
63% |
Experienced substantial improvement, such as from ‘Severe’ to ‘Mild’ or ‘Moderate’ to ‘Minimal’ |
| Reduced depression scores |
|---|
|
Result: 83% |
|
What This Means: Showed measurable improvement in depression symptoms |
| Single level improvement |
|---|
|
Result: 71% |
|
What This Means: Moved down one level, such as from ‘Severe’ to ‘Moderate’ or ‘Moderate’ to ‘Mild’ |
| Multiple level improvement |
|---|
|
Result: 63% |
|
What This Means: Experienced substantial improvement, such as from ‘Severe’ to ‘Mild’ or ‘Moderate’ to ‘Minimal’ |
Explore Whether TMS Therapy Is Right for You
If medication and therapy alone have not been enough, TMS may be worth exploring. Contact our admissions team for a confidential conversation about whether TMS is a suitable option for you.
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*All inquiries are completely confidential. There is no obligation to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMS Theraphy
How is TMS different from ECT?
Unlike electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), TMS does not require anesthesia, does not induce seizures, and does not cause memory loss. TMS is non-invasive and clients remain fully awake during sessions. There is no recovery time needed afterward.
How many TMS sessions will I need?
A standard TMS protocol involves sessions five days a week, typically over four to six weeks. The exact number of sessions is determined by your therapist based on your clinical assessment and how you respond to treatment. Because you are in a residential setting at Viva Rehab, your team can monitor your progress closely and adjust the protocol as needed.
Can TMS be combined with medication?
Yes. TMS is often used alongside existing medication as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Your therapist will review your current medications during your clinical assessment and make any necessary adjustments.
Does TMS hurt?
No. Most clients describe TMS as a tapping or clicking sensation on the scalp. Some find it mildly uncomfortable during the first few sessions, but this typically decreases as treatment progresses. TMS does not require sedation and clients return to their normal schedule immediately after each session.