Finding the right path out of depression can feel complicated, especially when previous treatment plans only helped a little. Apollo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy offers a noninvasive option that targets your mood-regulating brain circuits without surgery or anesthesia.
Below, we look at Dallas Apollo TMS therapy vs. other treatments—medication management, talk therapy, SPRAVATO (esketamine), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)—to help you compare each approach. At The Holiner Psychiatric Group, we tailor our recommendations to ensure your treatment plan is effective, practical, and grounded in your goals.
Apollo TMS therapy delivers focused magnetic pulses to areas of your brain involved in mood regulation. Your sessions are completed in an outpatient setting, typically five days per week for several weeks, with each visit lasting minutes rather than hours. You remain awake—there is no anesthesia—and you can usually return to normal activities right after your appointment. Many Dallas residents choose Apollo TMS therapy over other options when they want a device-based treatment that does not require changing medications or managing systemic side effects, such as sedation or weight gain.
If you are considering Apollo TMS therapy, it can be helpful to compare it to other Dallas treatment options. Below, we offer a brief overview of the benefits of Apollo TMS therapy versus medication management, psychotherapy, SPRAVATO, and ECT, and provide some guidance on how to choose between or combine these different options.
Antidepressants are convenient and widely available, but some people experience limited relief or disruptive side effects. Apollo TMS therapy acts locally on your brain circuits, avoiding many whole-body effects. Many patients keep their prescriptions steady during TMS therapy and reassess once their symptoms improve.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and other therapies help you build skills that sustain your recovery. Apollo TMS therapy and psychotherapy work well together. Neurostimulation may lift your mood and strengthen your concentration, making therapy gains easier to achieve and sustain. Some patients start TMS to regain momentum, then use therapy to cement long-term change.
SPRAVATO is an in-office nasal spray used with an oral antidepressant. It requires post-dose monitoring and a ride home. Apollo TMS therapy involves no sedation, and most people can resume normal activities right after each treatment session. The choice often comes down to your preference for a device-based or medication-based approach, your prior response to therapy, and your insurance coverage or treatment cost.
ECT can act rapidly and is reserved for severe or urgent cases. It requires anesthesia and recovery time and may affect your short-term memory. Apollo TMS therapy is noninvasive, well-tolerated, and does not need anesthesia, although it typically takes more sessions to reach full benefit. If you do not need the speed of ECT, TMS may be the more practical option.
To learn what treatments or combination of treatments may be best for you, schedule an appointment with our team today.
The most effective care is often collaborative. At The Holiner Psychiatric Group in Dallas, we routinely pair Apollo TMS therapy with other treatments—such as ongoing medication management and weekly therapy—to reinforce progress. We track your symptom scores throughout the series and adjust as needed, whether that means fine-tuning your stimulation settings, refining your therapy goals, or revisiting your prescriptions. If your symptoms re-emerge later, brief booster visits can be considered to help restore your gains.
If you are thinking about Dallas Apollo TMS therapy vs. other treatments, it does not have to be an either-or decision. With a thoughtful plan, you can combine treatment approaches to match your needs and schedule. If you are ready to explore your options and design a path forward, reach out to The Holiner Psychiatric Group to schedule a consultation.