Accelerated TMS for People Who Can't Spare Six Weeks
Quick Answer
Accelerated TMS at Bluebird TMS uses intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), an FDA-cleared TMS protocol that completes a session in a few minutes. For eligible patients, several iTBS sessions are scheduled in a single day with rest periods between, so a full course can take days or a couple of weeks instead of six or more.
Why the session length matters in a workweek
A standard TMS session runs 20 to 40 minutes. Theta-burst delivers pulses in short bursts patterned on the brain's own rhythms and finishes in roughly three to ten minutes. iTBS was FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder in 2018. For a patient fitting treatment around meetings, a session that fits inside a coffee break changes what is possible.
What "accelerated" means here
Multiple iTBS sessions in one day, separated by rest periods, over a compressed number of days. It can suit someone who travels for work, who cannot commit to daily visits for weeks, or who needs relief on a shorter timeline before a deadline, a move, or a life event. It is a clinical decision, made with your psychiatrist; for some patients the standard daily course is the better choice, and we will say so.
What we do not claim
Accelerated scheduling is not a promise of faster or better results, and we do not use proprietary protocol names we are not licensed to offer. You will know exactly which protocol and schedule you are on, and why.
Getting started
Evaluation, insurance verification, and mapping are the same as for standard TMS. Ask about accelerated scheduling at your consultation; the answer depends on your history and your calendar.
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