Fairfield County's Interventional
Psychiatry Specialists
The same relief.
Compressed into days, not weeks.
Accelerated TMS delivers a full course of depression treatment using the same FDA-cleared magnetic stimulation as standard TMS, just condensed into 1-day or 5-day treatment instead of 6-8 weeks.
Two protocols available at Evolve: 1-Day and 5-Day. Your treatment team helps you choose the right fit.
4.9 Google Rating
Stanford-Trained Leadership
FDA-Backed Treatments
No Referral Needed
Two protocols.
One goal.
Both paths use the same underlying technology. They differ in how compressed the schedule is and how much research backs each one.
1-Day Accelerated
Evolve's 1-Day Protocol
5-Day Accelerated
Evolve's 5-Day Protocol
Same treatment,
far less time.
Standard TMS treats depression with 1 session a day, 5 days a week, for 6-8 weeks. Accelerated TMS delivers that same total dose of magnetic stimulation in 1-day or 5-day treatment, by fitting multiple sessions into each day.
Same technology
Magnetic pulses stimulate the areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. No surgery, no systemic medication required.
Compressed schedule
Sessions are spaced 30 to 50 minutes apart on treatment day, instead of one session per day over several weeks.
Minimal downtime
No sedation involved. Most patients can drive themselves home and return to light activity within a day or two.
A quick way
to decide.
Consider 1-Day if
- You can only take a single day away from work or family
- You want to start as soon as possible
- You're comfortable with a self-pay option
- You've already done standard or 5-Day TMS and want a booster
Consider 5-Day if
- You want the format with the deepest published research behind it
- You can set aside a full week, with extended hours each day
- You'd rather complete the course over a week than in one day
- You're comfortable paying out of pocket, same as 1-Day
Relief that fits
your schedule.
Standard TMS takes 6-8 weeks of daily appointments. Accelerated TMS delivers multiple short sessions per day, compressing the full course into a single day or five consecutive days.
It's built for people who need results fast: a demanding job, travel from out of town, a window between semesters, or simply the urgency of feeling better now.
I struggled with severe depression for years and tried many medications with little success. I did the research and found Evolve Brain Health. I completed accelerated TMS and I feel better. I never thought I'd say that. You will not find a more kind and empathetic staff.
★★★★★ Lawrence B. · Google review
Founded by a Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab
psychiatrist.
Dr. Thomas Knightly
Founder & Medical Director · Evolve Brain Health
Evolve was founded by Dr. Thomas Knightly: Stanford graduate, clinical assistant professor at Stanford, and member of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab, the research group behind the accelerated TMS protocols now transforming depression care. Every treatment plan at Evolve is physician-designed and personally overseen.
Your care is delivered by clinicians personally trained and supervised by Dr. Knightly, following the standards and protocols he sets for every patient at Evolve.
Julianne Vesciglio
PMHNP
Renee Fontaine
PMHNP
How treatment day
actually goes.
A walkthrough of each protocol, hour by hour.
Your private suite between sessions.
Evaluation
Psychiatric evaluation confirms candidacy, reviews medication history, and screens for risk factors.
Motor mapping
Motor threshold mapping to calibrate your treatment dose, done the same morning.
20 treatment sessions
Each session lasts about 3 minutes, spaced 30 minutes apart. You stay onsite all day, with breaks between sessions.
Discharge
Clinical team confirms you're clear to leave. Most patients drive themselves home.
Follow-up
Your provider evaluates your response and discusses next steps.
Evaluation
Psychiatric evaluation and treatment planning, same as the 1-day path.
Motor mapping
Motor threshold mapping on Monday morning, before the first session.
10 sessions per day
Each session lasts about 9 minutes, spaced 1 hour apart. You stay onsite in your assigned suite between treatments.
Final session
Fifth and final treatment day of the course.
Follow-up
Your provider evaluates your response and discusses next steps.
A calm place
to get better.
No hospital feel. Private treatment rooms, comfortable chairs, and a team that knows you by name.
Reception
TMS Treatment Room
Waiting Area
From people who've been here.
Accelerated TMS is 100% self-pay.
Neither the 1-Day nor the 5-Day protocol is billed to insurance. There is no carrier, plan, or exception where this is covered. Pricing and payment options are covered at your consult, and financing is available.
Prefer the insurance-covered route?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Accelerated TMS and standard TMS?
Standard TMS delivers 1 session a day, 5 days a week, for 6-8 weeks. Accelerated TMS uses the same magnetic stimulation technology, but delivers many sessions in a single day or single week instead. You get fewer, longer visits instead of many short ones spread over months.
Which protocol should I choose, 1-Day or 5-Day?
It depends on your schedule. 1-Day fits patients who can only take a single day away from work or family. 5-Day fits patients who can set aside a full week and want the format with the deeper published research base. Your consult covers both in detail.
Is Accelerated TMS safe?
Yes. It uses the same FDA-cleared TMS technology as standard treatment, delivered on a compressed schedule. Published research on accelerated protocols has not shown a higher rate of serious side effects compared to standard TMS.
Does it hurt?
Most patients describe a tapping or knocking sensation on the scalp. It's not painful for most people, though some notice mild discomfort in the first session or two before adjusting.
What are the side effects?
The most common are mild scalp discomfort and headache during or shortly after treatment. Both typically resolve within a day. Serious side effects are rare.
When will I notice results?
It varies by person. Some patients notice changes within the treatment week itself. For others, improvement builds gradually over the following weeks. Your provider tracks your symptoms at follow-up either way.
Do I need to stop my antidepressant or other medications?
No. TMS is typically used alongside your current medications, not as a replacement for them. Your evaluation reviews everything you're taking beforehand.
Does insurance cover this?
No. Accelerated TMS, both the 1-Day and 5-Day protocols, is 100% self-pay. We do not bill any insurance carrier for it, and there are no exceptions. Standard TMS, one session a day over several weeks, is a separate service that is billed to insurance.
How much does it cost?
Cost depends on the protocol and your treatment plan. Since Accelerated TMS is self-pay, we'll give you an exact quote and payment options at your free consult, before you commit to anything.
Can I drive myself home afterward?
Yes, in almost all cases. There's no sedation involved in either protocol, so most patients drive themselves home the same day.
How is this different from Spravato?
Both treat depression that hasn't responded to medication alone. TMS uses magnetic stimulation with no medication involved. Spravato is a nasal spray medication administered under monitoring. Your consult will help determine which fits your history best.
I've already tried standard TMS. Can I still do this?
Often, yes. Accelerated protocols are sometimes used as a booster for patients who responded to standard TMS but saw effects fade, or for patients seeking a faster course the first time. Your evaluation will confirm candidacy.
Who isn't a good candidate for Accelerated TMS?
Candidacy depends on your full history, not just standard TMS screening. Common factors we screen for include seizure risk, certain metal implants near the head, and the ability to sit through a long treatment day. Your evaluation confirms candidacy before anything is scheduled.
You've tried waiting it out.
Try something different.
Free 10-minute consultation. No pressure, no obligation.
No obligation. Same-day call or text back.
Your consult is a relaxed 10-minute call. No pressure, no questions you aren't ready for, and no commitment.
Prefer to schedule a call? Pick a time now or call or text (203) 439-5050
