Advanced Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment for Depression, PTSD, OCD and Anxiety

Led by Dr. Chris Taplin, MD, our team is internationally respected for expertise, innovation and compassionate care.

Why choose TMS Therapy?

Safe & Approved

Safe & Approved

TMS Therapy is an evidence based treatment that is Health Canada approved and effective for treatment-resistant depression and OCD.

Medication-Free

Medication-Free

TMS uses magnetic pulses to treat your brain. No daily medications or their bothersome long-term side effects (eg. Weight gain, sexual side effects).

Fast & Effective

Most Clients See Results — Fast

Cutting-edge accelerated 1 week and 1 day protocols now available to help you feel better, sooner.

TMS Ottawa

World-Class TMS Therapy Now in Ottawa

Visit us at our convenient City Centre Avenue location near Art-Is-In Bakery.

What is TMS Therapy?

The brain is able to change and adapt over time.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy initiates these changes by stimulating specific regions in the brain with electromagnetic pulses to increase brain activity and change brain pathways and connections. Repeated stimulation has been shown to have a powerful and lasting anti-depressant effect without the side effects commonly associated with medications such as weight gain or sexual side effects.

TMS therapy is a safe, non-invasive and well-tolerated treatment that can be administered in our TMS Ottawa Mental Health Clinic and does not require hospitalization or anaesthesia.

tms

We are changing lives one treatment at a time.

At TMS Life, we understand the profound impact that mental health conditions can have on individuals and their loved ones. Our team of compassionate, caring, and skilled professionals are committed to providing hope and healing to those living with mental health conditions.

TMS Treatment Protocols

Standard

$ 10,500
CAD
  • Pre and Post qEEG
  • 38 Deep TMS Sessions
  • Acute Course: 3 weeks
  • Stabilization Course: 4 weeks

Accelerated

$ 10,500
CAD
  • Pre and Post qEEG
  • 38 Deep TMS Sessions
  • Acute Course: 5 days
  • Stabilization Course: 4 weeks
Popular

Enhanced

$ 9,000
CAD
  • 20 Deep TMS Sessions
  • Single dose of Vyvanse and D-Cycloserine Neuroplastogens
  • Acute Course: 1 day
New

Get to Know Our Dedicated Team of Experts

Chris Headshot

Dr. Chris Taplin

MD, FRCPC, Chief Psychiatrist

Chief Psychiatrist

Yvonne Headshot

Yvonne McLeod (RN)

Clinical Care Lead

MD, FRCPC

MC Headshot

Marie-Claire McMahon

Clinic Manager

MD, FRCPC

Dom Headshot

Dominique Roy

Certified TMS Technician

MD, FRCPC

Brooke Beauvais

RPN

MD, FRCPC

Faith Wood

Medical Office Administrator

MD, FRCPC

What Clients Say About Us

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Tanya H profile picture
Tanya H
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The opportunity to have TMS treatment gave me the sense of hope I had been missing for a very long time. There is a lot to be said for seeing a bit of light through the darkness. No promises have ever been made on success for me, but having people who understand my struggles and who are genuinely invested in my care provided me with the support I didn’t know I needed. That in itself has helped me in many ways. I am slowly seeing the effects of TMS and it is amazing. My fears are receding and my courage is coming back. It is a freedom I haven’t had in a very long time. Dr. Taplin and his staff are some of the kindest, most knowledgeable and non-judgemental people who continuously meet me where I am, rather than pushing expectations on me. Trust is hard to give but I felt safe with each of them. TMS may not be for everyone. But if it is something you can consider, TMS Life is an excellent place to start.
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Michael profile picture
Michael
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Having TMS treatment and this place has amazing staff and the right kind of vibes. I did the one day protocol in October and the effect has been incredible and lasted since then. I haven’t even had do a booster session so far. Highly recommend the one-day protocol.
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Deborah Varley profile picture
Deborah Varley
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TMS Life provided outstanding clinical care and offered treatment options not currently available in public health facilities. This team is trustworthy and professional and absolutely committed to helping their clients.
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Vanessa Hooper profile picture
Vanessa Hooper
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The staff at TMS Life Inc. are professional, caring, and knowledgeable. They supported me throughout the process, from the first meeting to the last treatment. It seemed daunting to start with, but the staff walked me through it and answered my questions. I started noticing a difference after three weeks or about halfway through my treatment plan. The treatments worked and I felt more like myself every day. I would highly recommend TMS Life Inc. Ottawa for the treatment of depression.
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Debbie C profile picture
Debbie C
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The amount of gratitude and respect I gave for Dr.Taplin is unbounded! My daughter has worked with many specialists, therapists, doctors, and in all their totality, it is Dr.Taplin, who has given her that much needed support, respect, to set her on a healthier path to manage her Generalized and OCD, in all the while being so very kind and caring. Thank YOU, Dr. Taplin - you have given my daughter much hope and empowerment for a much deserved bright future. You have also given this Mom a huge sense of security knowing she is in the best capable hands.
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Jeff Threader profile picture
Jeff Threader
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The difference in our loved one after treatment at the TMS Life clinic has been nothing but remarkable. He has his life back, full of confidence, travelling and socializing. Our family is so thankful to Dr. Taplin and his team. We highly recommend anyone seeing if this treatment will help you or your family member. Thank you TMS Life
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Francesca Martin profile picture
Francesca Martin
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If you have the opportunity to try out TMS, I would highly recommend doing it here. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, always willing to make your treatments as comfortable as possible. The lounge area is perfect for hanging out between sessions, and they provide drinks and snacks, puzzles, books, just about everything to keep you from boredom. Dr. Taplin is extremely knowledgeable and has such an amazing passion for helping people; it's really amazing to see someone who cares so deeply about his practice and the treatments he provides. Overall a wonderful experience!
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Steven Uttley (Dr Uttley) profile picture
Steven Uttley (Dr Uttley)
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TMS Life is a rare gem of a clinic. You won’t find more caring and competent staff, nurses or techs at any other institution in Eastern Ontario. Dr. Taplin is one of a kind in my experience. He actually cares about your struggles and treatment needs. To him, and his staff, you are not just another patient… you are a person. You deserve to feel better. TMS Life’s thinking outside the box, cutting edge technology and genuine concern for their patients gives you the best chance possible for improving symptoms and quality of life. They have been literally life saving and life changing for me personally. If you are struggling, call them. This is the team you have been hoping to find.
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Ani Spooner profile picture
Ani Spooner
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I sincerely can’t say enough about Dr. Taplin and his clinic. My 20-year-old son received incredible care there, and from the very first appointment, everything was explained to him and me with a lot of kindness, patience, and detail. We both had loads of questions and genuinely felt encouraged to ask as many as we needed, which made us feel heard and respected. I started noticing a slight difference in my son’s mood after just two weeks of TMS treatment. By the third week, he told me he felt happier than he had in a long time. This was so wonderful to hear! Really, I have to say that the entire team at TMS Life is compassionate, attentive, and knowledgeable. For example, Yvonne, the lead nurse, took the time to sit with us on the couch and casually chat about how the treatment was going so far, which was so kind and thoughtful. There was a real sense that everyone at the clinic really cared about my son’s well-being. Dr. Taplin, in particular, is one of the kindest and most attentive professionals I’ve ever met. He’s gentle and empathic (I can’t say enough about this!), like nothing else matters except understanding and helping you. It’s rare to find a doctor who connects on that level. As a bonus, the space is beautiful and calming, with comfortable lounge chairs and a couch, with lots of nice drinks and snacks to choose from, and even a private room where you can rest or do yoga (I used it to do work calls). There’s a genuine warmth that comes from both the staff and the space itself that gave me a lot of comfort when I was there and made my son feel good about his treatments.
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Leslie profile picture
Leslie
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This month, October 2025, marks two years that my family has been receiving treatment services from Dr. Chris Taplin and his wonderful team at TMS Life. I say "my family" because for those of us who love and provide care for a beloved family member struggling with severe anxiety and depression, we know that the suffering affects everyone. My adult daughter received several intensive TMS sessions (over weeks) and then moved forward with less frequent "booster" sessions twice monthly. Following each TMS session, I saw my daughter thinking more clearly with fewer intrusive thoughts, experiencing more joy, and she was better able to navigate through her day. Over the weeks, this translated into more hope and a confidence in her ability to have a better, more autonomous life. She moved out of our home (six months after starting at TMS Life) and continues to take steps forward with independent living. This would never have happened without the TMS Life Clinic, and checking in for a TMS session periodically is an important part of the recovery process. TMS Life is a gift. It is a gift to all of us who struggle to find informed, consistent, tender loving care in the world of mental health. This is a clinic that offers something different and effective. This is a clinic that does not give up on its patients/clients. This is a clinic where every staff member is chosen with great care, so there is a loving supportive atmosphere from the moment you arrive until you leave. We are so grateful to have found them and I highly recommend TMS Life. Simply wonderful.

Contact us

A member from our team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA- and Health Canada-approved therapy that uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. It is primarily used to treat depression and other mental health conditions when traditional treatments such as medication and psychotherapy have not been effective. TMS works by targeting specific areas of the brain involved in mood regulation to promote long-lasting improvements in symptoms. The treatment is painless, does not require anesthesia, and patients remain alert and awake during treatment sessions.

Access & Eligibility

No, a referral is not required to begin TMS Therapy at TMS Life.
TMS Therapy is typically recommended for individuals with Depression, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, or Anxiety Disorders who have not responded to medication or therapy. We also have experience treating neurodivergent individuals with Autism and ADHD diagnoses.
Individuals with non-removable metal implants in or near the head, a history of seizures, or certain neurological conditions may not be suitable candidates. In addition, people with cochlear implants, pacemakers, or other incompatible devices should avoid TMS.

We complete a comprehensive safety evaluation prior to starting treatments to ensure that TMS is safe for you. Since the opening of our clinic in 2023, we are proud to say that we have never had an adverse outcome and all of our clients have completed their acute treatment courses successfully.
No. At TMS Life, we prioritize timely access to care and actively work to ensure we do not have excessive wait times. Clients can expect to begin treatment within 1-4 weeks after their initial clinical assessment depending on their protocol and flexibility in scheduling.

Coverage & Cost

No, TMS is not currently covered by OHIP.

No, TMS is not currently covered by the Canada Life – Public Service Health Care Plan for Federal Employees. 

Some private insurance plans may offer partial or full reimbursement. Coverage varies by insurer. Please contact your insurer directly to find out if TMS is covered under your plan. 

Costs can vary depending on the treatment protocol, but on average, you can expect to pay $250 per TMS session in Canada. Prices in the USA can be considerably higher and vary between $200 to $450 USD per TMS session which is why many Americans travel to Canada for TMS Treatments.


If cost is a concern, TMS Life is registered with Medicard, a trusted Canadian financing company that offers unsecured loans for medical procedures. Medicard provides:

  • Flexible repayment terms
  • Low monthly payment options
  • Quick and simple approval processes

     


We’re happy to help you explore financing options so that cost is not a barrier to getting the care you need.

Treatment Options & Effectiveness

We now offer a range of TMS protocols to suit different needs and schedules:

  • Our standard 38-session protocol with 30 acute treatment sessions delivered over 3 weeks followed by 2 sessions per week for the next 4 weeks.
  • A 5-day  accelerated protocol consisting of 38 treatment sessions (30 acute and 8 stabilization) for those seeking quicker results

A 1-day condensed protocol, newly available for those with limited time or scheduling challenges. Consisting of 20 acute treatment sessions in a single day and novel treatment augmentation with neuroplastinogens vyvanse and d-cycloserine. This protocol is the epitome of advancements in research rapidly being translated to clinical use. 

The majority of evidence for TMS is for treatment resistant Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It is also commonly utilized to effectively improve symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Suicidal Ideation and Autism.
There are many different companies that make TMS technology. All methods of TMS treatments are considered “rTMS” which stands for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Deep TMS or dTMS is a term trademarked by Brainsway to describe their technology. It alludes to the fact that Brainsway Technology has been demonstrated to have broader and deeper penetration into the brain cortex. The potential advantage of this technology is the ability to stimulate deeper brain structures more effectively such as the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DM-PFC) which is a common site of stimulation for OCD and mental health disorders impacted by salience network dysregulation.
The durability of TMS varies from person to person. However, in our experience, if you are a TMS responder then it is generally possible to maintain the improvements with maintenance or booster sessions as needed without repeating an acute treatment course. The frequency of these sessions varies significantly depending on each individual response and mental health status. Many patients experience long-term relief.

Clinical studies show that approximately 60–70% of patients experience significant symptom improvement, and 30–50% achieve full remission.This is consistent with TMS Life’s outcomes in which 2 out of 3 real-world clients achieve a clinically significant response or remission.

For CAF and RCMP Veterans

Operator Syndrome is a term coined by Dr. Chris Frueh (Psychologist) to describe a constellation of physical, cognitive and psychological symptoms that tend to appear together in career operators, First Responders and CAF and RCMP Veterans. TMS or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is one of the recommended treatments for the psychological and cognitive components of Operator Syndrome. 
 

Safety & Side Effects

No. TMS is not the same as ECT. TMS iis non-invasive, requires no anesthesia, and patients remain awake and alert. Side effects are minimal compared to ECT and medications.
TMS is well tolerated by most patients. Common side effects are mild and may include:

  • Mild headache or scalp discomfort at the treatment site
  • Fatigue

Serious side effects to be aware of include:

  • Seizure (0.06 % risk), we are happy to report that we have never had a seizure in our clinic. 
  • Elevated Mood or Mania in individuals with depression or bipolar disorder is rare.
Yes. TMS has been fully approved by Health Canada for clinical use since 2002.
Yes. You should continue taking your prescribed medications unless otherwise advised by your healthcare provider. TMS can be safely combined with medications.
Many clients may reduce or discontinue medication after successful TMS treatment, but this should always be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.