Beyond Medication: Exploring TMS for Depression, Anxiety and More
Imagine a treatment that wakes up the parts of the brain that have been dimmed by depression, anxiety, or trauma—without medication or downtime.
That’s exactly what Andrea explores in this episode with Dr. Suzanne Kerns, a leading expert in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), one of the most exciting advancements in mental health care today.
TMS uses gentle, targeted magnetic pulses to activate and strengthen mood-related networks in the brain—essentially giving those underactive areas a nudge back into gear. It’s non-invasive, has minimal side effects, and requires zero anesthesia. It’s FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, depression with anxious features, and OCD, and research is showing impressive promise in areas like addiction, PTSD, and even pain management.
Andrea and Dr. Kerns dive into the surprisingly fascinating history behind TMS, how the technology works, what actually happens during a session, and real-life success stories that are nothing short of transformative. They also cover what to look for when choosing a qualified provider and why this treatment is becoming a go-to option for people who’ve tried “everything else.”
A hopeful, energizing conversation that reminds us just how many new possibilities exist for healing—and how rapidly the future of mental health is evolving.
BIO:
Dr. Suzanne Kerns is a board-certified psychiatrist with over a decade of experience in neuromodulation and interventional psychiatry techniques, including TMS, ECT, and other forms of brain stimulation therapy. She is the owner and Chief Medical Officer of Inner Healing Charleston in Charleston, SC. Former Director of the Neuromodulation Clinic at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, she is a Fellow and current Treasurer of the Clinical TMS Society. Dr. Kerns has trained clinicians globally and held academic appointments as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Washington and the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Kerns views every patient as unique, and strives to create individualized care plans using not just medications, but also psychotherapy, lifestyle modifications, and interventional treatments to support her patients in achieving their goals.
RESOURCES/ REFERENCES:
https://clinicaltmssociety.org/
Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their specific situations.