Your medication isn't failing you. Your brain just needs a different signal.
FDA cleared
Benton, Arkansas
If you’ve tried antidepressants and still don’t feel like yourself, you’re not broken. Your depression is treatment resistant. NeuroStar TMS targets the exact brain circuits medication can’t reach, without entering your bloodstream.
100% Free — No Obligation
A provider reviewed evaluation, not a sales call. Includes medication history review, same day insurance verification, personalized treatment timeline, and a written summary of your options. Value $350. Your cost $0.
Your information is private and never sold. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy.
📍 Serving Benton, Bryant, Little Rock, and Hot Springs
FDA cleared since 2008
No drugs enter your body, ever
This is NOT shock therapy (ECT)
Most patients pay $0 to $50 per session after insurance
5,000,000+ NeuroStar treatments delivered nationwide
Care led by Dr. Janette McGaugh, board certified psychiatrist, UAMS trained
Insurances We Accept
Out of pocket for most patients after insurance covers treatment
Of NeuroStar patients responded positively (62% reached remission). Sackeim HA et al. 2020, J Affect Disord 277:65-74
Minutes per session, drive yourself home immediately after
You've already tried so hard. That matters.
One in three people with major depression doesn’t fully respond to medication. Not because they haven’t tried hard enough. Not because the diagnosis is wrong. Because their specific brain circuits need a different kind of stimulus — not a chemical one.
If any of these describe the last year of your life, TMS was designed for you:
Tried 2 or more antidepressants with limited or no relief
Stopped a medication because the side effects were unbearable
Getting through the day but not actually living it
Lost the version of yourself that used to show up at work, at home, in relationships
Told yourself "this is just how I am now" — and don't fully believe it
“I felt like I was living in a dark cave. I lost total hope and became convinced that nothing would help my depression.”
— TMS patient, after trying multiple antidepressants
“I feel like my old self again — only better. I now know it was not my fault. It had never been my fault.”
— Post-TMS patient, reported in Newsweek
This is a clinical reality, not a personal one. Treatment-resistant depression affects approximately 10 million Americans. Your brain simply requires a direct electrical signal to switch its mood circuits back on — something no pill can deliver.
Systemic
Travels through the entire blood stream — liver, kidneys, hormones, sleep cycles — to eventually reach the brain
Targeted
Magnetic pulses activate only the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the specific circuit linked to mood regulation
TMS goes exactly where it's needed.
This isn’t about replacing medication — it’s about a fundamentally different mechanism. When specific brain circuits that regulate mood become underactive, antidepressants try to correct this chemically — throughout your entire body. NeuroStar TMS uses focused magnetic pulses (the same technology as an MRI) to activate those exact circuits directly.
Step 1
You sit comfortably
A treatment coil is positioned near your head. No anesthesia. No sedation. You are completely awake.
Step 2
What it actually feels like
You’ll hear a rhythmic clicking and feel a tapping sensation on your scalp — like a woodpecker, not a shock. It is not painful. Some patients feel mild scalp tenderness in the first 1–2 sessions that fades as treatment continues.
Step 3
Pulses activate mood circuits
Magnetic pulses (identical in strength to MRI technology) stimulate underactive neurons in the brain’s mood center — with no electricity and nothing entering your body.
Step 4
19–37 minutes, then done
Listen to music, scroll your phone. Session ends. You drive yourself home. Zero downtime.
Step 5
Results build over weeks
Most patients notice improvement by weeks 3–4. A full course is 5 days/week over 4–6 weeks. Results typically last 12+ months after treatment ends.
8 concerns about TMS — each one answered honestly.
"I've tried so many things. What if this doesn't work either?"
This is the most honest concern, and it deserves a straight answer: TMS will not work for everyone. That’s true of every treatment. What’s different is the mechanism — TMS bypasses the biochemical pathway that your brain may have already proven resistant to.
The clinical data: 83% of patients who complete the full course experience meaningful improvement, and about 62% reach full remission. These are published outcomes (Sackeim HA et al. 2020).
The only way to know if your brain responds is a conversation with Dr. McGaugh. It’s free. It commits you to nothing. If you don’t qualify, she’ll tell you — and point you toward what might help instead.
Is this electroconvulsive therapy? Am I going to have a seizure?
TMS and ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) are completely different procedures. ECT requires general anesthesia and induces controlled seizures. NeuroStar TMS does neither.
TMS uses the same type of magnetic field as an MRI scanner — targeted, precise, and non-invasive. You remain fully awake and alert throughout the entire session. Seizures occur in less than 0.1% of TMS patients (compared to 100% in ECT — that’s the whole point of ECT).
No electricity passes through your brain. No anesthesia. No memory effects. This is not shock therapy. It never was.
"I'm worried about weight gain, emotional blunting, or becoming 'numb' again."
This is a legitimate fear, and TMS’s answer is structural: nothing enters your bloodstream. NeuroStar TMS is entirely non-systemic — it activates specific brain circuits using magnetic pulses that don’t circulate through your body.
No medication. No chemicals. No systemic side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are mild scalp discomfort and temporary headache at the treatment site during the first few sessions — both resolve quickly.
You cannot gain weight from a magnetic pulse. You cannot lose sleep from it. Your memory is not affected. You will feel exactly like yourself after each session — because you are.
"I work full-time. I can't disappear for weeks of
treatment."
Sessions run 19 to 37 minutes. You sit in a chair, listen to whatever you want, and walk out the door. You can drive yourself. You can go back to work. You can pick up your kids. There is no recovery period because there is nothing to recover from.
The full course is 5 days per week over 4–6 weeks — but each individual visit is less time than a lunch break. We schedule around your work calendar.
Patients tell us the hardest part is committing to the schedule — not the treatment itself. Once they start, they describe sessions as the easiest part of their week.
"Even if it works — how long will it last? Will I just crash again?"
This is the right question to ask, and the data is encouraging. A landmark multisite study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry tracked TMS patients for a full year after treatment ended. The majority maintained their improvement without needing to restart. Most patients remain in remission for 12 months or longer after a single course.
If symptoms do return — which can happen with any depression treatment — TMS can be repeated. Unlike medication, there’s no dose escalation, no tolerance built up, and no systemic effects to manage. Many patients do a maintenance course once a year as a proactive measure, the same way they’d see a dentist.
You’re not trading one dependency for another. You’re getting a reset — and if you ever need another one, it’s available.
"My psychiatrist hasn't mentioned TMS. Am I going around my doctor?"
You’re not. TMS is not a replacement for your current care — it’s an FDA-cleared addition to it. Many psychiatrists actively refer patients to TMS once medications show limited results, and TMS is routinely used alongside existing medication, not instead of it.
The more common reality is that psychiatrists manage large patient panels and don’t always raise TMS proactively until a patient asks. If your doctor hasn’t mentioned it, that’s not a signal it’s inappropriate — it’s often simply a matter of timing in the conversation.
Dr. McGaugh’s assessment includes a full review of your current treatment plan. She coordinates with your existing provider if you’d like, and she will never recommend TMS if it isn’t clinically appropriate for your situation.
"What happens when treatment ends? Do I need to keep coming back forever?"
A full course of TMS is finite — typically 30–36 sessions over 4–6 weeks, then done. There’s no indefinite maintenance schedule required and no prescription to renew. You complete the course, and most patients then go months or years without needing anything further.
After treatment ends, Dr. McGaugh will review your response and outline a simple monitoring plan. Some patients choose an optional “tune-up” course once a year to stay ahead of any returning symptoms — but that’s a choice, not a requirement.
TMS has a beginning and an end. Unlike medication, there’s no open-ended commitment built into the treatment itself.
"I've seen people online say TMS made them feel worse. Is that real?"
It’s a real phenomenon, and we’d rather you hear it from us than from a Reddit thread. A small subset of patients — roughly 1% — experience a temporary period where symptoms feel worse before they improve. This is known as the “TMS dip,” and it typically occurs in weeks 1–2 as the brain adjusts to the new stimulation pattern.
It is not a sign the treatment is failing. It’s a sign the brain is responding. For most patients who experience it, the dip resolves and improvement follows. In the rare case where treatment causes genuine intolerable effects, it is stopped — and those effects resolve completely once sessions end. There is no long-term harm documented from TMS in the published clinical literature.
We monitor every patient throughout the full course. If something doesn’t feel right, we adjust. You are never left to figure it out on your own.
Most patients pay significantly less than they expect.
NeuroStar TMS is covered by most major insurance carriers for patients who have tried and not fully responded to antidepressants. We verify your coverage before your first appointment — free, with no commitment required.
Aetna
Cigna
UnitedHealthcare
Tricare
Arkansas Blue Cross | Blue Shield
Medicare
+ Most major AR plans
$0–$50
Typical out-of-pocket per session when insurance covers treatment. With a $20–50 copay over 30–36 sessions, total patient cost is often $720–$1,800 vs. $6,000–$12,000 without insurance. If you’ve already met your annual deductible, your out-of-pocket cost may be near zero. NeuroStar also offers its own reimbursement program for qualifying patients. We navigate all of this for you.
TMS Testimonials — Verified Arkansas patients, 4.8 / 5 stars.
Dr. McGaugh was great. Their office is warm and inviting. They don’t make you feel like a “patient” and they will sit and listen to you. My first visit I was so broken…crying…down and uninterested…I was giving up…but the treatments took affect by week 2…they have helped me to back to me that’s been gone for years from dealing with life and tragedies…I can’t thank them enough🩷
Highly recommend Dr. McGaugh! Very knowledgeable, understanding, and reliable. I love working with a smaller practice because you feel more like family rather than just another patient. Also highly recommend her TMS treatment, as someone who has suffered anxiety most of my life but not a big fan of antidepressants and their side effects, TMS has worked wonders!!
Absolutely love Dr. McGaugh and her lovely office staff. Super kind, understanding, and always ready to try something different or make adjustments to find the right fit. If I could leave more stars I would! If you are in Arkansas looking for a psychiatrist look no further! Helpful and up to date on recent research and methods. Thank you Best Life Psychiatry for helping me live my best life!
I suffer from depression and anxiety and the TMS treatment has been working wonders for me.
My mind is not foggy and I can sleep better.
It’s a cozy little clinic and Doctor McGaugh knows what she’s doing.
I’m looking forward to continuing with the treatment!
Listen to what our patients are saying
remission from depression:
Mariah’s patient experience with NeuroStar
Bart’s story:
From medication to NeuroStar TMS
elsa’s experience:
Discovering NeuroStar & her husband’s journey
Tod’s story:
Remission from depression
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NeuroStar TMS?
NeuroStar TMS stands for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. It is a noninvasive medical procedure that delivers focused, MRI strength magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive nerve cells in the brain regions that regulate mood. It is used to treat major depression, most often when antidepressant medications have not worked well enough. Patients do not need anesthesia or sedation. You stay awake and alert and can return to work or your normal routine right after each session.
What are the benefits and advantages of NeuroStar TMS?
NeuroStar TMS is drug free and noninvasive, so nothing enters your bloodstream and there are no medication side effects like weight gain, fatigue, or emotional blunting. Sessions take 19 to 37 minutes, you drive yourself home afterward, and there is no downtime. Among patients who complete the full course, 83% experience meaningful improvement and about 62% reach full remission (Sackeim HA et al. 2020).
Am I a good candidate?
You may be a strong candidate if you have tried one or more antidepressants without full relief, still have symptoms despite treatment, cannot tolerate medication side effects, or prefer a non systemic option. TMS may not be appropriate if you have certain metal implants near the head, active seizure disorder, or certain implanted devices. Dr. McGaugh reviews your full history personally to decide whether TMS is right for you.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Eligibility is confirmed during your TMS Readiness Assessment. Dr. McGaugh reviews your medication history and current treatment, verifies your insurance benefits, and gives you an honest recommendation. For adolescents ages 15 and older, eligibility is determined separately during the consultation, with parental involvement.
How often will I receive TMS therapy?
A full course is typically 30 to 36 sessions, 5 days per week over 4 to 6 weeks. Each visit lasts 19 to 37 minutes. Most patients notice improvement by weeks 3 to 4, with the maximum benefit appearing 2 to 4 weeks after the final session. Completing the full course gives the best chance of long lasting relief. Weekend appointments are available.
Do you take my Insurance?
TMS Clinical Trials & Academic Studies
NeuroStar TMS Therapy is backed by over a decade of published clinical research. The following peer-reviewed studies demonstrate its safety and efficacy for treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder.
Multisite Naturalistic Observational Study — Acute Treatment Outcomes
Carpenter LL, et al. (2012). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Major Depression: A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Acute Treatment Outcomes in Clinical Practice. Depression and Anxiety, 29(7):587–596.
Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial — Daily Left Prefrontal TMS
George MS, et al. (2010). Daily Left Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Trial. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 67(5):507–516.
1-Year Follow-Up Study — Durability of Benefit
Dunner DL, et al. (2014). A Multisite, Naturalistic, Observational Study of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Patients with Pharmacoresistant Major Depressive Disorder: Durability of Benefit Over a 1-Year Follow-Up Period. J Clin Psychiatry. 75(12):1394–1401.
Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial — Efficacy & Safety
O’Reardon JP, et al. (2007). Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Acute Treatment of Major Depression: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Biol Psychiatry, 62(11):1208–1216.
Dr. Janette McGaugh
FOUNDER AND PSYCHIATRIST
Dr. Janette McGaugh completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, then went on to complete both medical school and residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. Her dedication to the field was recognized in 2008 when she received the Outstanding Graduating Resident Award. She maintains board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Dr. McGaugh founded Best Life Psychiatry to deliver evidence based, compassionate psychiatric care to the Benton community and across Arkansas. She personally provides medication management, NeuroStar TMS, and Spravato treatment, and she takes a collaborative approach focused on each patient’s long term wellness.
Dr. McGaugh will tell you if you qualify. Here's what she looks for.
Dr. McGaugh reviews every new patient’s complete history personally, and if you’re a strong candidate, she’ll tell you upfront. She doesn’t offer TMS to everyone. She offers it to the right people.
Tried 1+ antidepressants
Without satisfactory relief, or stopped due to side effects
Persistent symptoms despite treatment
Depression isn’t fully controlled even with medication
Intolerance to medication side effects
Weight gain, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, emotional blunting
Preference for non-systemic treatment
You want your body, not just your brain chemistry, left alone
Ability to attend weekday sessions
5 days per week for 4 to 6 weeks, 19 to 37 minutes each
Not sure if you qualify? That’s exactly what Dr. McGaugh’s TMS Readiness Assessment is for. She reviews your specific history, not a checkbox — and many patients who assumed they weren’t candidates discover they are.
Metal implants near the head
Including cochlear implants or aneurysm clips (other implants are often fine)
Active seizure disorder
We discuss your history in detail during consultation
Certain cardiac devices
Pacemakers or implanted stimulators near the head or neck
What to expect after treatment ends: Most patients remain in remission for 12+ months after completing a full course. If symptoms return, TMS can be repeated — no dose escalation, no dependency, no systemic effects to manage.
You've read everything. Now there's one question left.
You know how TMS works. You know it’s covered by insurance. You know sessions are 19 to 37 minutes and you drive yourself home. You know it’s not ECT. You know 83% of people who complete the course respond to it.
The only thing you don’t know yet is whether your brain responds to it. There is exactly one way to find out, and it costs you nothing.
Call us or fill out the form. Dr. Janette McGaugh, board certified psychiatrist and UAMS trained, will personally review your history and give you an honest answer.
The TMS Readiness Assessment is free
Physician review, insurance verification, treatment timeline, $0
We respond within one business day
Often same business day — (501) 263-2613
No commitment of any kind
If TMS isn’t right for you, we’ll tell you and point you toward what might help
Every week you wait is a week your brain goes without the signal it needs
There is no benefit to waiting
Value $350 — Your Cost: $0
Takes 2 minutes. We verify your insurance and Dr. McGaugh contacts you within 24 hours.
Your information is private and never sold. By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy.
📍 Serving Benton, Bryant, Little Rock, and Hot Springs
Insurance we accept — most patients pay little to nothing out-of-pocket