Depression Treated Differently.

Interventional psychiatric care is moving rapidly- we aim to be at the leading edge of those changes. Based in Los Angeles, Elysian TMS Center was built to offer cutting edge options — offering a diversity of TMS options backed by current neuroscience research.

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TMS explained

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses gentle, precisely targeted magnetic pulses to target areas of the brain involved in mood regulation — regions often underactive in depression.

Depression is a brain pattern.  
Patterns can change.

It works on a principle central to neuroscience: neurons that fire together, wire together. Repeated stimulation engages neuroplasticity, helping the brain rebuild healthier patterns over time.

Medication acts on brain chemistry. TMS acts on brain circuits and network connectivity. The right approach — sometimes one, sometimes both — can help shift the patterns that sustain depression.

Accelerated TMS PROTOCOL

Accelerated TMS: treatment you can complete in a weekend

Traditional TMS required 36 sessions across six weeks — a barrier for most patients. Under the direction of dual board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Sicher, Elysian TMS Center offers accelerated protocols backed by recent theta-burst research, delivering the same full course in one to two days.

Why patients choose Accelerated TMS

COMFORTABLE

Non-invasive.  
No downtime.

Sessions are gentle for most patients. Some describe a light tapping sensation on the scalp; sensitivity varies. Either way, you can return to normal activities immediately after treatment.

SAFE

Clinically proven.
Prescription-free.

FDA-cleared for depression since 2008 and grounded in four decades of neuroscience research, TMS offers an evidence-backed alternative to medication.

REad FAQS

FAST

Faster results.  
Fewer side effects.

Unlike medication, TMS works locally on the brain and results are usually felt more quickly than with traditional antidepressant medications — without affecting the rest of the body.

THE AMPA SYSTEM

Precision care, delivered anywhere

Elysian TMS Center uses the Ampa One — an FDA-cleared, portable TMS system developed by neuroscientists trained at Stanford and UCLA. Its mobile design allows treatment to happen wherever it fits best: in our Pasadena office, or in the comfort of patients’ homes across the LA region.

HOW IT WORKS

What to expect in your sessions.

Step 1

Consultation

A thorough psychiatric evaluation with dual board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Sicher, founder of Elysian TMS Center. We review your history, current symptoms, and past treatments to determine whether TMS is the right next step.

Step 2

Scheduling

A full course of off label accelerated TMS is delivered over one or two days — 8–10 sessions per day, about 3-10 minutes each, with 30-minute rest periods in between. The intersession pacing is research-backed: it gives the brain time to consolidate the effect.

Step 3

Neuronavigation

A fitted cap with mapped coordinates pinpoints the treatment target on your scalp — regions of the brain involved in mood regulation. Magnetic pulses are then calibrated to your individual physiology.

Step 4

Treatment Session

A trained TMS technician positions the coil against your scalp, which delivers a gentle tapping sensation throughout the session. You're seated and awake — free to rest, read, or listen to music. Most patients describe it as tolerable, we check in frequently to make adjustments for your comfort.

Step 5

Session Ends

Unlike treatments that require sedation or anesthesia, TMS has no downtime. You can drive yourself home and resume your day immediately.

Step 6

Follow Up

We check in after treatment to assess your response and plan next steps — whether that is continued monitoring, therapy, medication, or maintenance sessions. Most patients notice change within days to several weeks.

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Meet the psychiatrist behind Elysian TMS Center.

Dr. Sarah Sicher is a double board-certified psychiatrist who founded Elysian TMS Center on a simple belief: patients deserve more diverse and better options to navigate their mental health. She practices whole person psychiatric care across the full range of modern psychiatry and is deeply committed to Elysian TMS Center offering the highest quality patient centered care.

About ELYSIAN TMS