Our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Martha Koo sat down with Cindy Elkins, a mother whose teenage daughter found relief from severe depression through a treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
Their conversation, featured on The Just a Mom Podcast hosted by Susie Gurley—a mother who has faced similar challenges with her own children—offers valuable insights for families struggling with depression.
The discussion explains how TMS—a safe, non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic pulses to target specific brain areas—became a game-changer when antidepressants weren’t helping Cindy’s daughter, Chase. What makes this story so powerful is the remarkable transformation Cindy witnessed: by the Saturday following her first Monday treatment, Chase was able to see two friends in one day—something that hadn’t happened in nearly two years.
Today, Chase is thriving in college, studying psychology and pre-med, hoping to help other young people with mental health challenges. Her journey shows both how devastating depression can be and how the right treatment can change everything.
Important Takeaways from the Conversation:
TMS Works Much Faster Than Traditional Treatments
Unlike antidepressants that often take 4-6 weeks to start working, TMS can show results within days or weeks. In the intensive protocol Chase received, she showed significant improvement within the first week. Dr. Koo explained that even with standard TMS sessions, many patients feel noticeably better by the second week, with full remission possible by the fourth week—much faster than waiting months to see if medications will help.
Depression Steals Energy in Ways Others Can’t See
Cindy shared a powerful insight about her daughter’s depression: “Only after recovery could I realize how much energy it was taking her just to live, to show up, to get up.” This helps families understand why depression often looks like laziness or disinterest—the condition itself uses up tremendous internal energy, leaving little motivation for daily activities, friendships, or things once enjoyed.
Dr. Koo Cleared Up Common Misconceptions About TMS
Dr. Koo explained how TMS differs from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Unlike ECT, which causes seizures and requires anesthesia, TMS doesn’t involve any seizures, doesn’t affect memory, and doesn’t require anesthesia. Patients can drive themselves to appointments and continue normal daily activities—making it practical for students and working adults.
She described depression as a medical condition affecting specific brain circuits, comparing TMS to “physical therapy for the brain” that helps neurons work properly again. This explanation helps families understand depression as a medical condition, not a personal weakness.
There’s a Big Difference Between “Somewhat Better” and “Truly Well”
Dr. Koo noted that many patients are considered “improved” when they’re no longer in crisis, even if they’re far from their best selves. She described how TMS often shows what complete recovery actually looks like—”that clean feeling of really being 100%”—helping patients return to who they truly are, rather than settling for just feeling “less bad.” This shift from merely functioning to actually thriving is a crucial distinction in mental health care.
TMS is Becoming More Accessible
While TMS was originally only approved for depression that hadn’t responded to medications, it’s becoming easier to access. Dr. Koo explained that insurance requirements have decreased from requiring four failed medication trials to typically just one or two today. For teens (15+), some insurance now covers TMS even without trying medications first.
Dr. Koo made a simple but powerful point: “We don’t bring anybody in with a medical illness and give them an inferior treatment first… whereas in mental health, we say, ‘You have to try this medication. We know it’s 30% effective,’ whereas TMS is twice as effective.”
This highlights how mental health conditions should be treated with the same urgency and effectiveness as other medical conditions.
This conversation shows how new approaches to mental health treatment can change lives for young people and their families. Chase’s journey from deep depression to thriving college student demonstrates not only how effective TMS can be for some patients, but also the resilience that emerges when families keep searching for answers beyond traditional treatments.
For parents watching their child suffer, this discussion offers both practical information about treatment options and something equally important: hope that even when standard approaches aren’t working, other paths to healing exist that can lead to full recovery rather than just managing symptoms.
Listen to the Full Conversation
We invite you to listen to both parts of this insightful podcast conversation with Cindy Elkins and Dr. Martha Koo, where they share even more details about Chase’s journey and the science behind TMS therapy.
Find Hope at Neuro Wellness Spa
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression that hasn’t responded well to traditional treatments such as talk therapy or psychiatric medications, Neuro Wellness Spa offers comprehensive TMS therapy with personalized care plans. Our expert team of adult and teen psychiatrists led by Dr. Martha Koo M.D., specializes in helping patients find relief when other approaches haven’t worked.
TMS therapy at Neuro Wellness Spa is:
- FDA-approved and covered by most insurance plans
- Non-invasive with minimal side effects
- Compatible with your daily life—no downtime required
- Administered in a comfortable, supportive environment
Don’t wait to explore this life-changing mental health treatment. Contact Neuro Wellness Spa today to schedule a consultation and learn if TMS might be right for you or your loved one. Take the first step toward the kind of complete wellness that Chase found—where you can reconnect with your authentic self and rediscover joy in daily life.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find a path forward through depression.