SAINT TMS treatment remains difficult to access in the United States, having gained FDA approval less than two years ago. With fewer than ten locations currently offering this cutting-edge treatment, finding a legitimate provider can be challenging — especially since some TMS clinics discuss SAINT treatment on their websites without actually offering it.
This article provides a list of SAINT TMS providers, offers guidance for identifying legitimate SAINT TMS clinics, and answers common questions about this new protocol for accelerated TMS therapy. We also link to detailed resources covering SAINT's methodology, potential risks and side effects, and more.
Current SAINT TMS Locations
Most patients seeking SAINT treatment will need to travel out of state, as current providers are primarily concentrated in California. When deciding between clinics, patients should factor in travel expenses like airfare and accommodation in addition to the provider’s fees.
Cognitive FX in Provo, Utah
Our clinic, Cognitive FX, based in Provo, Utah, is proud to be one of the first in the nation to offer SAINT TMS for treatment-resistant depression.
Background
Over the last two decades, the leaders of our clinic pioneered treatment for patients experiencing lingering symptoms from mild traumatic brain injury. Now, we’re bringing our team’s expertise in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and clinical psychology to help patients recover from moderate to severe depression.
How We’re Different
The SAINT treatment protocol should be executed the same way anywhere you go (more details below). However, clinics often offer additional forms of therapy or therapeutic activities to further support patients in their recovery.
At Cognitive FX, we have very intentionally chosen to provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in coordination with SAINT treatment. Presently, while SAINT TMS is showing incredibly promising short-term results, there is limited data on the long-term durability of these outcomes. No studies assess the impact of SAINT beyond a few months.
To address this, and provide our patients with the best possible chance of sustained remission from their depression, we include CBT as part of our treatment.
In comparison to other types of psychotherapy, CBT has far more scientific and empirical support for treating depression, including a significantly greater number of randomized controlled trials supporting its efficacy.
Overall, research shows that CBT is superior to other psychotherapies and medication for depression in both short and long-term outcomes, with a notable advantage in the long-term. The response rate to CBT across studies ranges from 61%–87% with large effect sizes.
Furthermore, when combined with the traditional method of TMS (rTMS), CBT improved response and remission rates by ~8% and ~19%, respectively.
Learn More About SAINT TMS at Cognitive FX
Our TMS treatment is ideal for most patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, we do not treat patients under the age of 16 or over 65. Additionally, as a safety measure, we do not treat patients who have a history of seizures or who are actively suicidal and in need of crisis care.
If you are interested in receiving TMS therapy at Cognitive FX, click here to learn more.
Other SAINT TMS Locations
Private Clinics
Universities
How to Be Sure a Clinic Offers SAINT TMS
To ensure that a clinic offers SAINT TMS and not a close variation of the SAINT protocol (which may be less effective), consider confirming that their treatment includes the following:
-
Use of Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation (iTBS): SAINT TMS utilizes iTBS, a form of accelerated TMS that delivers treatment in shorter sessions. This contrasts with the original form of TMS (rTMS), which requires 37-minute daily sessions over a longer period (4–6 weeks).
-
Precise Targeting with fMRI and Neuronavigation: One of the most significant distinctions of SAINT TMS is the use of functional MRI (fMRI) and neuronavigation for precision targeting. fMRI is used to locate the target area of the brain (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or DLPFC) while neuronavigation ensures the magnetic coil is placed accurately over this spot for every treatment session. This precise targeting is crucial for effectiveness, as even a slight misplacement of the coil can diminish results. In contrast, other TMS methods, such as rTMS and standard iTBS, often rely on less precise methods for coil placement, like manual measurements taken over the patient’s scalp.
-
Condensed Treatment Schedule: SAINT TMS is administered over a condensed period of just one week, with patients receiving 10 TMS sessions per day for 5 days, totaling 50 sessions. This compressed treatment schedule makes it more convenient for patients who might find it challenging to commit to the longer durations of other TMS protocols, such as the 4–6 week timeframe of rTMS.
Frequently Asked Questions About SAINT TMS
What Is the SAINT Method of TMS?
SAINT TMS, which stands for Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy, is an FDA-cleared form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) developed by Nolan Williams at Stanford University. Like traditional TMS, the treatment uses magnetic pulses to stimulate neurons in a specific area of the brain, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is consistently affected by depression and other mental health disorders.
However, as discussed above, SAINT TMS uses intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), as well as fMRI and neuronavigation for precision targeting of the DLPFC. It is also delivered in a condensed treatment timeframe of just five days.
What Is the Success Rate of SAINT TMS for Depression?

A comparison of remission rates for rTMS/iTBS, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and SAINT-iTBS.
SAINT TMS is considered the "gold standard" treatment for treatment-resistant depression, a type of depression that has not responded to multiple rounds of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy.
Clinical trials that show SAINT TMS to be highly effective include:
-
High response rate: In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, about 85.7% of patients responded to SAINT-iTBS treatment. This means they met pre-defined criteria for a reduction in their depressive symptoms.
-
High remission rate: Around 78.6% of patients in the same trial met the criteria for remission, indicating a significant decrease or disappearance of depression signs and symptoms.
-
Rapid relief: These results were achieved in a single week of treatment, making it one of the fastest-acting depression treatment options available. A month after treatment, 60% of the trial participants were still in remission.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects Associated with SAINT TMS?
SAINT TMS is generally considered a safe procedure. Side effects are typically mild, short-lived, and less severe than those associated with antidepressant medications.
-
Common side effects: The most commonly reported side effects are headaches, scalp discomfort, and muscle twitching in the face or scalp during treatment. These usually disappear after the first few sessions.
-
Rare side effect: Seizures are a potential side effect of TMS but are extremely rare, occurring in less than 0.01% of sessions (less than 1 in 10,000). SAINT TMS further reduces the risk of seizures by applying pulses at a lower intensity (80% of the brain's motor threshold) compared to rTMS.
Who Is a Good Fit for SAINT TMS?
While SAINT TMS can be highly effective, it may not be suitable for everyone. Here are some factors that may indicate you are a good candidate for SAINT TMS:
-
Treatment-resistant depression: If you have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly treatment-resistant depression, and other treatment options like medication and therapy haven't provided relief, SAINT TMS may be a viable option.
-
Antidepressant side effects: If you are experiencing intolerable side effects from antidepressant medications, SAINT TMS could be a good alternative.
-
Desire for fast results: SAINT TMS offers a relatively quick treatment duration of one week, making it suitable for individuals seeking faster relief from depressive symptoms.
-
Limited time for treatment: If your work or personal commitments make it difficult to adhere to the longer treatment schedules of traditional TMS protocols, SAINT TMS's condensed time frame might be more manageable.
Factors that may indicate you’re not a good candidate include:
-
Metal implants: Individuals with metal implants or objects in their heads close to the treatment area cannot receive TMS. This is because the magnetic pulses could interfere with the implanted devices.
-
History of seizures: Patients with a history of seizures are typically not suitable candidates for TMS, including SAINT TMS.
It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if SAINT TMS is right for you. They can assess your medical history, current condition, and individual needs to provide personalized recommendations.
Is SAINT TMS Treatment Covered by Insurance?
Currently, accelerated TMS protocols, including SAINT TMS, are generally not included in most insurance coverage. Most insurance companies only cover the original form of TMS, repetitive TMS (rTMS). This is because rTMS has been in use for longer and is considered more established by insurance providers. However, coverage policies can vary depending on the insurer, so it's always best to check with your insurance company to confirm their specific TMS coverage.
Interested in Receiving SAINT TMS Treatment at Cognitive FX?
Find our new patient paperwork here. The form will guide you through a short series of questions to see if you’re a good fit to receive treatment with us.
Cited Research