When you’re struggling with depression, the weight of daily responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Between work commitments, family obligations, and trying to maintain some semblance of a personal life, the thought of adding treatment appointments to an already packed schedule might seem impossible. Yet addressing your mental health isn’t optional—it’s essential for every other area of your life to function properly.
If you’ve been researching Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy as a treatment option for depression, you may be wondering how you’ll fit regular sessions into your busy life. The good news is that TMS therapy is specifically designed to work with your schedule, not against it. Here’s everything you need to know about the time commitment involved and how to make TMS therapy fit seamlessly into your daily routine.
Before diving into scheduling strategies, it’s helpful to understand what TMS therapy actually requires. A typical course of TMS therapy involves sessions five times per week for approximately six weeks. Each session lasts between 19 and 37 minutes, depending on the specific protocol your doctor determines is right for you.
Unlike many other depression treatments, TMS therapy doesn’t require preparation time before your appointment or recovery time afterward. You’re awake and alert throughout the entire procedure, and because it’s non-invasive and doesn’t involve medication or anesthesia, you can drive yourself to and from appointments. This means you’re looking at roughly 30 to 45 minutes out of your day when you account for the session itself and brief check-in time.
When depression has taken hold, everything feels harder. Work tasks that once came easily now require enormous effort. Simple household chores feel insurmountable. Social interactions are exhausting rather than energizing. You might find yourself calling in sick more frequently, struggling to meet deadlines, or withdrawing from activities and relationships that once brought you joy.
The time you invest in TMS therapy now can give you back countless hours—and a better quality of those hours—in the future. Many patients report noticing improvements in their energy levels, concentration, and overall mood within the first few weeks of treatment. Imagine being able to work more efficiently, sleep better, and actually enjoy your time with family and friends again. That’s the return on your time investment.
One of the significant advantages of TMS therapy is the flexibility it offers. At Advantage TMS, appointments are available from 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday. This wide availability means you can find times that work best for your unique schedule.
Consider these scheduling strategies:
Early Morning Sessions: If you’re an early riser, scheduling your TMS appointment first thing in the morning means you can complete your session before the workday even begins. You’ll start your day with a sense of accomplishment and won’t have to worry about treatment interrupting your afternoon schedule.
Lunch Break Appointments: With sessions lasting only 19 to 37 minutes, fitting TMS into an extended lunch break is entirely feasible. You can complete your appointment and still have time to grab a quick meal before returning to work.
Evening Sessions: For those with demanding day schedules, evening appointments offer a perfect solution. Complete your work responsibilities first, then head to your TMS session as you wind down for the day.
Weekend Options: Saturday availability means you’re not limited to weekday appointments. If your work schedule is particularly inflexible during the week, you can structure some of your treatments around weekend availability.
Many people worry about discussing their mental health treatment with their employer, but remember that taking care of your health is both your right and your responsibility. Depending on your comfort level and workplace culture, you have several options for how to handle TMS appointments during work hours.
You might choose to be straightforward about your treatment, especially if your workplace has a supportive culture around mental health. Depression is a medical condition, and TMS is an FDA-cleared medical treatment—there’s no more reason to hide it than any other health appointment.
Alternatively, you can simply mention that you have regular medical appointments without providing specific details. Most employers are understanding about medical needs, especially when you demonstrate commitment to minimizing disruption by scheduling appointments at convenient times.
If you work in an environment where flexibility is built into your role, you might adjust your work hours on treatment days—coming in earlier or staying later to make up the time. The brief nature of TMS sessions makes this type of arrangement much easier than it would be with longer therapy appointments.
The key to successfully integrating TMS therapy into your schedule is treating it like any other important commitment. Block out your appointment times in your calendar weeks in advance. Set reminders on your phone. Make TMS appointments as non-negotiable as work meetings or picking up your children from school.
This consistency serves a dual purpose. First, it ensures you don’t accidentally double-book yourself or find reasons to skip sessions. Consistency is crucial for TMS effectiveness—the treatment works by creating positive changes in your brain over time, and maintaining your schedule helps ensure optimal results.
Second, incorporating TMS into your regular routine helps normalize the treatment as part of your self-care regimen. Just as you make time to eat, sleep, and attend to other physical needs, your mental health deserves the same priority.
Unlike many depression treatments, TMS therapy doesn’t interfere with your ability to function normally throughout the day. There’s no grogginess, no adjustment period, no need to avoid driving or operating machinery. You can go straight from your TMS session to work, school, the gym, or any other activity.
Many patients at Advantage TMS actually appreciate having this brief, structured time in their day dedicated to their mental health. It becomes a moment to pause, take a breath, and focus on recovery in a calm, professional environment. The office provides complimentary snacks, coffee, tea, and water, creating a comfortable atmosphere during your visit. You can watch TV, listen to music or relax and meditate during your treatment.
When considering whether you have time for TMS therapy, it’s worth asking yourself: Do you have time not to pursue effective treatment? Depression doesn’t wait for a convenient moment to disrupt your life. It’s already affecting your work performance, your relationships, your physical health, and your ability to enjoy daily activities.
Six weeks might seem like a significant commitment, but it’s a relatively short timeframe when you consider the potential for long-term relief. Clinical studies show that two out of three patients who respond to TMS treatment maintain their improvement 12 months later. Many require only occasional maintenance sessions—if any—to sustain their results.
If you’re ready to explore whether TMS therapy is right for you, the first step is scheduling a free consultation. This initial appointment allows you to learn more about the treatment, ask questions, and discuss how TMS can fit into your specific schedule and lifestyle. At Advantage TMS, consultations are available on the same day you call, and you can typically begin treatment within five to seven days of your consultation.
Don’t let concerns about time keep you from pursuing a treatment that could change your life. Depression has already taken enough from you—your energy, your joy, your sense of self. It’s time to take back control.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn how TMS therapy can work with your schedule to help you find relief from depression. Your future self will thank you for making this investment in your mental health and well-being.
Sun N, He Y, Wang Z, Zou W, Liu X. The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2021 Jan;77:226-237. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.05.020. Epub 2020 May 22. PMID: 32830052.
Basil, B., Mahmud, J., Mathews, M., Rodriguez, C., & Adetunji, B. (2005). Is there evidence for effectiveness of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of psychiatric disorders?. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 2(11), 64–69.
Our office is closed December 25th for Christmas and January 1st for New Years Day. If you have any questions or urgent requests, please email us at info@advantagementalhealth.com.
Please fill out the form if you have a patient interested in learning more about TMS treatment. We appreciate the referral and partnership.
Next Steps:
• Our TMS Coordinator will contact the patient to schedule a complimentary information session.
• If the patient decides to seek TMS treatment with Advantage TMS, we will communicate with you when necessary and the patient will continue to work with you while receiving treatment.
Questions?
• Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 727-600-8093 or info@advantagementalhealth.com
