Family Care Center Expands TMS Access to Teens Ages 15 and Older

DENVER, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Depression affects nearly 4.8 million teens each year, impacting school, relationships, and emotional development. Nearly half of them do not find sufficient relief from standard treatments such as medication or therapy.

Now, there is a new option available for teens who suffer from treatment-resistant depression. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for patients 15 and older. Not only is it a promising treatment for teens suffering from treatment-resistant depression—it's also backed by results. According to FDA data, 78% of teens who undergo TMS report significant improvements in their depression symptoms.

How TMS works

First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2008 for adults, TMS delivers targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas involved in mood regulation, primarily the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Over time, this innovative therapy helps restore balance, reduce symptoms of depression, and improve overall mental health.

Treatment begins with an evaluation and personalized "TMS mapping," where a TMS clinician identifies the optimal location and stimulation level for the patient's treatment. During sessions, the patient is seated comfortably while electromagnetic coils are placed on the scalp. The coils deliver magnetic pulses that aim to "reset" brain activity disrupted by depression.

A typical treatment course consists of 30 sessions over six weeks, each lasting 20 to 40 minutes. Patients remain awake and alert during treatment and can engage in quiet activities such as reading or using their phones.

Benefits of TMS for teens

• TMS is non-invasive and does not require surgery or systemic medication, making it less intimidating for adolescents.
• Side effects are generally mild and brief, rarely disrupting daily life.
• Treatment sessions can be scheduled around school and activities, allowing teens to maintain their routines.

Clinically, TMS has demonstrated lasting benefits, improving emotional regulation, impulse control, decision-making, and overall well-being. Additionally, since anxiety often co-occurs with depression in teens, TMS's targeted approach can address multiple symptoms simultaneously, improving quality of life.

While TMS has shown great promise, it is most effective when used alongside other treatments, including talk therapy and appropriate use of medication. Among Family Care Center patients receiving a combination of therapy, medication, and TMS, 91% saw a significant reduction in depressive symptoms within six months. This underscores the value of combining TMS with other treatments to address the complex nature of adolescent depression.

"At Family Care Center, we've seen firsthand how TMS changes lives," said Dr. Charles Weber, Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Family Care Center. "Our evidence-based protocols—backed by strong clinical data—have helped more than 90% of patients experience meaningful improvement. We're proud to bring this life-changing care to teens and their families navigating one of the most difficult times in their lives."

As one of the nation's leading providers of outpatient mental health services, Family Care Center offers TMS for teens in over 40 clinics in five states. To learn more about TMS for teens and other mental health services at Family Care Center, visit fccwellbeing.com.

Family Care Center is a national leader in mental health services, dedicated to positively impacting the well-being of local communities. Their top-rated, multi-specialty clinicians deliver comprehensive, evidence-based care, providing positive outcomes for patients of all ages. In addition to therapy and psychiatric services, they are at the forefront of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an innovative treatment for depression and more. Family Care Center is one of the fastest-growing mental health care providers in the U.S, providing patient care, conducting research and offering continuing medical education in their field. With over 40 locations across Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Tennessee and Texas, they continue to expand nationally in collaboration with Revelstoke Capital Partners.

SOURCE Family Care Center