Deep TMS for Anxiety Disorders - Ottawa, ON

TMS Therapy for Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders are amongst the most common mental health conditions in Canada. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder are the most common conditions that we see in our clinic. Anxiety Disorders can occur on their own but they frequently are closely connected with other mental health conditions such as depression.

Heightened anxiety or distress often leads to depressive symptoms. Anxiety may also worsen during a depressive episode or re-appear after the resolution of an episode of major depression. As you will learn below, Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a highly effective treatment for Anxiety.

Dr. Chris Taplin and the team at TMS Life continue to refine and advance our treatments so that we can have the best outcomes possible. Most importantly, we genuinely care about and appreciate each person that walks through our door. What truly separates us from other clinics is the time and effort that we take to intentionally deliver these treatments in an environment and setting that respects, supports and values each person.

How Generalized Anxiety Shows Up in Daily Life

For Generalized Anxiety Disorder, adults often worry about everyday, routine life circumstances. Adolescents tend to worry excessively about their competence or quality of performance. The worries or overthinking are excessive and often impact the ability to make decisions and lead to avoidant or overly-cautious behaviours. Some people are not aware of the impact that their “overthinking” is having on their decision-making until it is brought to their attention which is why strategies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can be so helpful initially.

Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder also experience physical symptoms including muscle tension which can lead to neck discomfort and headaches. Anxiety is a powerful influencer of the body. Recall that individuals can lose consciousness (pass out) when confronted with something they fear (e.g. needles or blood). Learn more about the physical symptoms of anxiety here

In our clinic, we see remarkable improvements in social and generalized anxiety with our treatments. Less experienced clinicians will think that TMS is not helpful for anxiety. However, these clinicians are not up-to-date on the different brain regions that we can now target for anxiety and the benefit that individuals experience.

Treating Anxiety Disorders with TMS Therapy

Many of our clients have previously tried multiple treatments including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and medications without the desired benefit or with undesired side effects (e.g. emotional dulling, weight gain, sexual side effects, stomach upset and others). Some of our clients seek out Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (Deep TMS) earlier in the treatment process because they are uncomfortable with these more traditional treatment options.

All our clients have the desire to get better and improve their anxiety symptoms so that they can:

It may be difficult to believe that any treatment can be helpful if you have not found success with other treatment approaches. Please know that you are not alone in these experiences and that these are very common reasons why clients from across Canada and North America seek out treatment at TMS Life in Ottawa for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.

Deep TMS for Anxiety

Deep TMS is a Health Canada-approved treatment for Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that uses targeted electromagnetic pulses to gently stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation.

It is commonly used “off-label” for the treatment of anxiety conditions based on the over-lap in brain networks involved in anxiety disorders, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Deep TMS is a modern advancement that builds upon earlier versions of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and it is designed to reach deeper and broader brain regions which research suggests may improve outcomes for individuals living with anxiety.

During treatment sessions, you’ll remain comfortably seated and fully awake. All clients are able to return to their regular activities—including work or driving—immediately afterward.

TMS Safety

TMS Life has developed its own approach to delivering Deep TMS that optimizes safety, tolerance and clinical outcomes. Since our beginning, we have treated clients from age 16 to 76 without any serious adverse outcomes. In addition, all clients have been able to tolerate the treatment and complete their treatment course. The most common side effects are mild and temporary and include mild headache and/or fatigue after sessions.

Unlike antidepressant medications, Deep TMS does not cause systemic side effects such as weight changes, sexual dysfunction, sedation, or digestive issues. This makes it a safe and effective treatment for people who have experienced troublesome medication side effects or haven’t found adequate relief from traditional treatments.

TMS Effectiveness

In our clinic, 2 out of 3 Clients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Social Anxiety Disorder experience a significant clinical reduction in their symptoms or remission. Due to our accelerated protocols, these changes are often observed within 3 to 4 weeks of their first TMS treatment.

For the minority that do not respond to treatment, we continue to explore treatment options and provide guidance for next steps which may or may not be available at the clinic. We continue to find success even in the most treatment-resistant cases with our goal to eventually be able to find improvement for all our clients.

When to Consider Deep TMS Therapy for Anxiety Symptoms

Deep TMS at TMS Life may be right for your anxiety if you:

Prefer a holistic approach to mental health treatment
Prefer a personalized, targeted and non-medication approach to treatment
Prefer rapid improvement of symptoms
Continue to have anxiety symptoms impacting your relationships, work/school/home and general zest for life
Have medical conditions or side effects that make medications difficult to tolerate.
Have comorbid generalized anxiety disorder alongside conditions such as Depression/Anxiety/Autism/ADHD that commonly occur with OCD

Earlier access to neuromodulation treatments like Deep TMS can help reduce the time you spend struggling with anxiety and may improve your long-term outcomes.

What Makes Deep TMS Different

Not all TMS systems are the same. Deep TMS uses a specialized coil design that allows electro magnetic pulses to penetrate deeper into the brain to stimulate nerve cells in the larger neural networks involved in Anxiety Disorders including the medial Pre-Frontal Cortex and Anterior Cingulate Cortex regions. These regions are not stimulated properly with other technologies due to their deeper locations in the brain.

Key advantages include:

Deeper brain penetration — The technology targets mood regulation circuits more directly than traditional TMS approaches.
Broader network engagement — Deep TMS stimulates interconnected brain regions rather than focusing on a single narrow point.
Strong clinical outcomes — Research demonstrates meaningful response and remission rates across large patient populations.
Comfortable and convenient — Treatment requires no sedation, causes no downtime, and doesn't impair cognitive function.
Flexible treatment options — We offer both standard, accelerated 5-day protocols and 1-day neuroplastogen enhanced protocols when clinically appropriate.

Deep TMS can be used alongside psychotherapy, healthy lifestyle practices, and ongoing medical care.

Personalized TMS Anxiety Treatment with qEEG Brain Mapping

We are the only clinic in Canada to use qEEG Brain Mapping to inform Deep TMS protocols for Anxiety Disorders. Quantitative Electroencephalogram or qEEG is an investigational and non-invasive brain mapping tool that measures electrical activity across different brain networks and provides us with objective data about your brain networks are function including patterns commonly associated with anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions. qEEG is rapidly advancing the entire field of TMS and our clinic is on the frontier of this exciting advancement in the field.

Benefits of qEEG-guided treatment:

Personalized targeting — We can identify which brain regions may benefit most from stimulation, tailoring your treatment to your unique brain patterns.
Optimized protocols — Treatment planning becomes more precise and individualized rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
Progress tracking — We can measure brain changes over time, providing objective markers of your progress.
Data-driven decisions — You and your treatment team gain greater confidence in treatment planning and adjustments.
By combining qEEG with Deep TMS, we create a more individualized, evidence-based approach that is especially valuable for complex or treatment-resistant cases.

What to Expect During TMS Treatment for Anxiety

Session length: Typically less than 10 minutes in duration

Protocol: TMS for Anxiety Disorder typically consists of an acute treatment phase, stabilization phase and a maintenance phase.

During treatment: You are alert and awake. A member of our team will always be with you during treatment to monitor for safety, provide support and make any adjustments necessary. Our clinical care lead will check-in with you throughout your treatment course to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have.

After treatment: Resume your normal activities immediately

A Message of Hope

Living with Anxiety can feel exhausting and relentless. Deep TMS offers a scientifically grounded, non-invasive option that has helped many people pause, relax and focus on what is important and necessary. We have had great success in reducing the impact of anxiety on the day to day so that clients can live more fulfilling and complete lives.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone, and you don’t have to settle for simply getting by. There are paths forward, and we’re here to help you explore them.

Ready to Learn More?

If you’re curious whether Deep TMS treatment might be right for you, we’d be happy to answer your questions and discuss your options. Our team is here to provide the information and support you need to make informed decisions about your care.

We look forward to being part of your journey toward better mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deep TMS for Anxiety Disorders

Is TMS therapy effective for anxiety? What if I’ve lived with anxiety for many years?

Yes. Deep TMS can be effective for individuals with long-standing or treatment-resistant anxiety symptoms. Anxiety disorders are associated with persistent dysregulation in brain networks involved in threat detection, emotional regulation, and cognitive control. Even when anxiety has been present for many years, these networks remain capable of change through neuroplasticity. Many individuals who have struggled despite therapy or medication experience meaningful improvement with TMS.

How is TMS for anxiety different from therapy or medication?

TMS differs fundamentally from psychotherapy and medication. Therapy works by developing insight, coping strategies, and behavioural change, while medications affect neurotransmitters throughout the body. Deep TMS directly stimulates specific brain circuits involved in anxiety using targeted magnetic pulses. This allows treatment to focus on the neural drivers of anxiety without relying on systemic medication effects or verbal processing.

Is Deep TMS effective for both generalized and social anxiety?

Yes. Deep TMS has shown benefit for both Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. While these conditions can look different clinically, they share overlapping brain network dysfunctions. Deep TMS is designed to engage broader and deeper neural networks involved in anxiety regulation, which helps explain its effectiveness across different anxiety presentations.

Will TMS make my anxiety worse or feel overwhelming during treatment?

This is a common concern. Deep TMS does not intentionally provoke anxiety or expose you to feared situations. Most individuals tolerate treatment well.

The most common side effects are mild and temporary. These may include mild scalp discomfort or a brief headache during or shortly after treatment sessions, as well as occasional fatigue. These effects do not interfere with daily activities.

How soon might I notice improvements in my anxiety symptoms?

Response timelines vary. Some individuals notice early changes such as reduced physical tension, quieter mental activity, or improved emotional regulation quite quickly. Others experience more gradual improvement over the course of treatment. Because anxiety symptoms can fluctuate, progress is assessed using both clinical monitoring and your lived experience rather than a single marker.

Can TMS help if I’ve tried therapy or medication without success?

Yes. Many individuals who pursue Deep TMS have previously tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, medications, or both, without sufficient relief or with unwanted side effects. Deep TMS offers a different mechanism of action and can be effective even when other approaches have not provided lasting benefit. It can also be used alongside ongoing therapy or medication when clinically appropriate.

Do I need a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder to be considered for TMS?

A formal diagnosis is not required prior to your initial consultation. A comprehensive clinical assessment is completed as part of the intake process to determine whether Deep TMS is appropriate for your symptoms. If you already have a diagnosis, it will be incorporated into your personalized treatment plan.

Will I need to stop my current medications or therapy?

No. Deep TMS can be safely used alongside medications and psychotherapy. Many individuals continue their existing treatments during TMS. Your care team will review your full clinical picture and coordinate treatment thoughtfully to ensure safety, continuity, and alignment with your broader care plan.

Is Deep TMS safe for anxiety treatment?

Deep TMS is non-invasive and generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are mild and temporary, such as scalp discomfort, headache, or fatigue following sessions. Unlike medications, Deep TMS does not cause systemic side effects such as weight changes, sexual dysfunction, sedation, or digestive issues.

What if Deep TMS doesn’t work for me?

While many individuals experience meaningful improvement, not everyone responds to Deep TMS. If adequate benefit is not achieved, your clinical team will review your response and discuss next steps. This may include protocol adjustments, additional treatment options, or guidance toward other appropriate care pathways, whether within the clinic or beyond.

What is the difference between TMS and antidepressants?

Antidepressants work by altering neurotransmitter levels throughout the body, which can help regulate mood and anxiety for some individuals but may also lead to systemic side effects such as weight changes, sexual dysfunction, sedation, or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Deep TMS works differently. It is a non-invasive neuromodulation treatment that directly stimulates specific brain networks involved in anxiety and mood regulation using targeted magnetic pulses to restore healthier activity patterns within these circuits. Treatment does not require medication or produce systemic side effects.

For individuals who have not experienced sufficient benefit from antidepressants, who cannot tolerate side effects, or who prefer a non-medication approach, Deep TMS offers an evidence-based alternative that targets the underlying neural drivers of symptoms.