How a newly FDA-cleared protocol is expanding access to treatment and simultaneously supporting patient-centered practice growth 

Access to effective mental health care remains a challenge for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD or depression), particularly for those who are still suffering–even after trying traditional antidepressant medications. Now, however, the dynamics within healthcare have shifted. Patients are setting the tone with an increasing expectation of care that is convenient, fast, and should work well. 

The recent FDA clearance of BrainsWay’s SWIFT™ Deep TMS (“Short-Course With Intrinsic Field Targeting”) accelerated protocol for adults with depression (including patients with comorbid anxiety) reflects this heartening shift.

As mental health care gets better, we see new therapies and delivery models reshaping care to meet patients where they are.  This is redefining what treatment looks like–it’s fast-acting, effective, and safe. Clinics that integrate these innovations create meaningful benefits for patients. It might even strengthen their practice’s reach, reputation, and long-term sustainability in a competitive landscape. I’ve seen the future—and it’s patients feeling better, faster. No one wants to settle for the same old pills that might work when it really counts.

The Economic Impact of “Failed” Mental Health Care Delivery

The number of people living with depression continues to outpace available treatment resources. Approximately 14 million people in the U.S. suffer from depression, yet only half receive some form of care. This gap is driven by a myriad of factors, including a shortage of behavioral health providers, logistical barriers, and unmet expectations.

Patients in underserved areas and rural communities often face the greatest challenges, where practices operate at high demand with limited capacity, and are often forced to turn patients away or place them on a wait list. Putting to the side the highly concerning individual cost (i.e., turning away patients with mental health concerns), these unmet needs carry significant economic implications. What’s more is that depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and patients who do not respond to standard therapies (also referred to as treatment-resistant depression (TRD)) face prolonged suffering and increased risks of comorbid conditions, further intensifying demand on an already strained system.

Even when a patient has access to a clinic, life constraints can be real blockers to accessing the “best” treatment. Challenges such as scheduling, childcare, taking time off work, and transportation contribute to approximately 20% of individuals discontinuing psychotherapy. Furthermore, chronic depression can make these difficulties seem like climbing Mt. Everest, as patients struggle to stay engaged and show up for numerous sessions.

Finally, it’s worth acknowledging the current era of patient expectations. Many individuals are hesitant to pursue care when medication is the default approach, and there is growing demand for alternative treatments that are drug-free or require minimal pharmacologic intervention. 

Clinics that cannot find ways to address these concerns and fill these needs risk losing revenue, reducing patient engagement, and diminishing long-term sustainability to provide care.

How SWIFT Deep TMS Signals a Shift in Care

BrainsWay’s SWIFT Deep TMS accelerated protocol has become particularly relevant in ushering in the new wave of care as it offers a treatment approach designed to overcome many of the above barriers and unmet needs currently challenging patients and providers alike.

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (Deep TMS) has been FDA-cleared since 2013 for depression, with further indications following. It is a noninvasive, evidence-based treatment for specific mental health conditions. By delivering deeper and broader magnetic pulses than first-generation TMS, it targets key areas of the brain involved in mood regulation. Deep TMS has proven especially effective for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), making it a valuable tool for mental health providers seeking safe, noninvasive, and medication-free treatment options for their patients.

While first-generation TMS systems address many of these challenges, until the advent of SWIFT Deep TMS, no noninvasive, FDA-cleared TMS treatment could deliver relief in just six half-days without expensive brain scans. The protocol consists of brief, 10-minute sessions, five times per day, with brief follow-up appointments in the weeks afterward. Beyond providing rapid relief in approximately a week, the short session length creates minimal, if any, distribution to daily life for most patients. Many patients continue working, running errands, attending to daily activities, etc., between sessions. This is in contrast to typical depression protocols, including medication, which present numerous side effects, such as sleep disturbance, weight gain, potentially permanent movement disorders, and sexual dysfunction.

SWIFT Deep TMS is a strong example of how the ongoing evolution of technology, supported by rigorous clinical validation, can transform lives—while allowing clinics to serve more patients in less time—reducing the need to turn patients away and making the most of limited resources.  I should know–not only am I a Deep TMS researcher, I’m also a patient who underwent Deep TMS treatment for my depression!

Patients: Advocates for Your Mission to Deliver Better Care 

While providers recognize the value of innovation in reducing barriers to treatment, it is ultimately patients who define what success looks like in their own lives. Every patient’s experience is different, but the relief and return of joy seem to be a shared experience. The story below is one of many that highlight these themes.

A patient had tried multiple medications with limited success and described the side effects as “crushing,” feeling trapped by the slow pace of recovery. Believing they were a good candidate for SWIFT Deep TMS, I enrolled them in the study. As the sessions progressed, the change became noticeable to both of us. I remember their exclamation: “By the third day, I felt something shift. It wasn’t subtle. It was like a weight lifting that I didn’t think was possible anymore!” By the end of the six-day treatment, the patient had regained a full sense of control over their life, work, and relationships, experiencing a renewed sense of possibility.

This patient’s life was changed. Their experience reflects authentic, real results that can ripple positively through their daily life and those around them. It speaks volumes—and I want other physicians to understand that their practice could transform lives too, not just manage side effects and provide marginal improvement.

Investing in Impact

There is both an urgent need and a remarkable opportunity to invest in our patients’ outcomes by prioritizing treatments that are proven, accessible, and aligned with patient needs. This is how providers, entrepreneurs, and investors together can create solutions that not only transform lives but also strengthen communities and drive economic growth. Investing in mental health today compounds the returns, with a healthier, more resilient future for patients, for practices, and for society. And that’s my bottom line.