New Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services Now Available in Humboldt County

In a procedure involving an electric coil placed on the scalp, strong magnetic fields are directed into the brain, specifically targeting areas to stimulate nerve cells. There’s no surgery required, and while some may experience mild headaches, patients remain awake and alert during these brief sessions. Although the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, this method has gained FDA approval for treating major depressive disorder, anxious depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Given the concerning mental health statistics in Humboldt County, residents can now access Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) through two providers located in Eureka and Arcata. According to Mariel Bosserman, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Humboldt Counseling Connection, she had previously faced challenges getting coverage for her patients, who often had to travel far for similar treatments—a situation complicated by logistics and costs not covered by insurance.

Typically, a TMS regimen involves around 30 short sessions conducted over a seven-week period, which adds up to significant time off work and the additional expense of travel. This barrier rendered the treatment inaccessible for many in the area. However, providers are optimistic that locals will soon be able to squeeze in TMS sessions during their lunch breaks.

At Humboldt Counseling Connection, the TMS equipment resembles a dentist’s chair fitted with a device that scans and maps the brain. It identifies the specific areas that require stimulation, with a technician adjusting the treatment coil to hit the right angle before initiating the process. Studies indicate that TMS can foster neuroplasticity by either stimulating underactive brain regions or calming those that are overactive.

Bosserman noted that TMS is particularly attractive due to the lack of responses some patients have after trying multiple antidepressant medications. Research shows that only about 30% respond positively to their first medication, a figure that drops even lower when it comes to attempting combinations of drugs. TMS could offer another treatment avenue that is non-invasive and effective, especially for those who have already tried numerous medications without success.

Research suggests that around half of patients who have not benefited from medication may experience significant improvements with TMS, with about a third of those seeing their symptoms disappear altogether. Joselyn Legacy, the operations director at HCC, expressed a commitment to address community mental health needs thoughtfully and effectively. With an under-resourced mental health system in the area, she emphasized the importance of offering TMS as an additional resource.

The TMS treatments began on August 25, initially accommodating 16 patients. Meanwhile, another local provider, the Humboldt Center for New Growth in Arcata, is also introducing TMS into their offerings. The center, which features a calming environment, has moved away from referring patients to distant locations for this treatment.

Dr. Carrie Griffin, the medical director at the Center for New Growth, shared that TMS aligns well with their existing treatment methods. Kayla Kinsman, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the center, explained that TMS provides an alternative for patients with conditions that preclude the use of other treatments, like ketamine, due to potential health risks or previous ineffective responses.

While TMS is FDA approved in the United States for a few specific conditions, more applications are being researched. For instance, TMS is used in other countries to tackle substance use disorders and is gaining attention for PTSD treatment, despite not yet being FDA approved for that purpose.

This focus on addressing mental health challenges is particularly important in Humboldt County, where high rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are reported. Many adults with ACE scores of 4 or higher face various health issues later in life. Griffin’s goal is to provide treatments that don’t require patients to muster endless willpower but instead facilitate healing.

As both the Humboldt Counseling Connection and the Humboldt Center for New Growth begin to offer TMS, they share a common goal: to enhance the local mental health care framework for the benefit of the community. The Humboldt Counseling Connection’s annex is situated at 100 H Street in Eureka and accepts various insurance plans, while the Center for New Growth offers services at 770 11th Street in Arcata, also working with several insurance options.