TMS Cheltenham · Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation · Private Psychiatric Treatment

Freedom
from mental
illness, finally

Specialist rTMS - a state of the art treatment for depression, anxiety, OCD and more.
Evidence-based, non-invasive, under the care of a consultant psychiatrist.

About rTMS

You deserve to feel like yourself again.

Living with mental illness is exhausting. Not just the sadness — the heaviness, the lost days, the feeling that nothing quite reaches you anymore.

9M+
Antidepressant prescriptions Over 9 million people in the UK are prescribed antidepressants each year — and that number continues to rise.
5M
Living with MDD At least 5 million people in the UK live with Major Depressive Disorder — chronic, lasting, debilitating depression that reshapes everyday life.
2–3M
Treatment-Resistant Depression For between 2 and 3 million of those people, their illness may not respond adequately to antidepressant medication - this is often referred to as 'treatment resistant depression'.
15,000+
TMS clinics worldwide Today there are more than 15,000 TMS clinics worldwide — and that number is growing rapidly.

Somewhere between 2 to 3 million people in the UK suffer from a depressive illness that hasn't responded adequately to antidepressant medication. If you're one of them, it can feel like you've tried everything. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. And you are not out of options.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a safe, non-invasive treatment that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood regulation — no medication, no anaesthesia, no hospital stay.

Over three decades of clinical research across the world has demonstrated that rTMS can deliver meaningful, lasting improvement for people living with treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD.

rTMS is recommended by NICE in the UK as well as being approved by the FDA in the USA. It is an established, evidence-based treatment — and we are proud to bring it to Cheltenham and the wider Gloucestershire region.

Whether medication hasn't worked for you, or you're looking for an alternative to pharmacotherapy, we're here to help you find a way forward.

NICE Recommended FDA Approved 30+ Years of Research No Medication No Anaesthesia

We are here to change lives.

We are here for you.

30+ years of clinical
research

Non-invasive brain stimulation

Magnetic pulses stimulate targeted neural circuits — no surgery, no anaesthesia, no downtime. You remain fully awake and alert throughout every session.

No hospitalisation required. Minimal interruption.
Safe  ·  Effective  ·  Medication-free  ·  Clinically proven  ·  NICE approved
~58% Response rate
in depression
NICE Recommended &
FDA approved
No Anaesthesia
required
What is rTMS?

Precision brain stimulation — without medication

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate activity in specific brain regions involved in mood, anxiety, and cognition. The coil is placed gently against your scalp — you remain fully awake throughout.

Each session typically lasts 20–40 minutes. A full course involves 20–30 sessions over 4–6 weeks. Most patients notice changes in the second or third week — sometimes sooner.

No sedation or anaesthesia needed

Sessions fit around your schedule

No weight gain or sexual side effects

Drive to & from appointments

How rTMS works

Restoring balance in the brain’s mood‑regulating networks

Many mental health conditions involve disrupted communication between key areas of the brain - particularly an imbalance between the left and right prefrontal circuits responsible for mood, motivation, and emotional regulation. In depression, for example, the left side often becomes underactive while the right side becomes comparatively overactive. rTMS uses focused magnetic pulses to help rebalance these networks. By stimulating the areas that are underactive—and calming those that are overactive—rTMS supports healthier neural activity and strengthens the pathways involved in stable mood and clearer thinking. rTMS modulation encourages the brain to form lasting networks connections through what is known as neuroplastic change, this contributes to lasting improvement.

applications for rTMS

Evidence-based rTMS for a range of psychiatric conditions

rTMS can treat the following conditions, supported by published clinical trial evidence.

01

Treatment-Resistant Depression

The primary indication for rTMS. A substantial body of high-quality evidence shows that approximately 58% of individuals achieve meaningful clinical response, with 33% experiencing full remission. rTMS can work even after multiple failed medication trials. rTMS can also offer a alternative treatment to medication for those that cannot tolerate or prefer to avoid for a variety of reasons - ts effectiveness may be even greater in this group.

02

OCD

TMS received FDA clearance for OCD in 2018. Around 35–45% show meaningful symptom reduction on validated scales, used alongside ERP therapy.

03

Anxiety & PTSD

Inhibitory rTMS to right DLPFC produces significant symptom reduction in PTSD and generalised anxiety. An important option when medications are poorly tolerated.

04

Bipolar Depression

Increasingly evidence-supported for bipolar depressive episodes, with lower risk of treatment-emergent mania than antidepressants.

05

Postnatal Depression

A medication-free option, rTMS is valuable therapeutic option for women who are breastfeeding and concerned about the risks of medication options. An individual risk-benefit assessment is conducted in all perinatal cases.

06

Other Conditions

There is an emerging and promising evidence base for rTMS as a therapuetic in a number of other conditions including addictions and others. Contact us if you are interested in exploring how rTMS may help you.

Treatment Options — rTMS vs iTBS

Your Treatment Options

Two Pathways,
Equally Effective

Both treatment protocols are clinically proven and deliver similar outcomes. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, schedule, and personal preference.

Research shows comparable clinical outcomes for both protocols
Flexible

Standard rTMS

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

6 Weeks Duration
30 Sessions

Sessions are scheduled across six weeks, fitting around your existing commitments. Each appointment lasts around 30–40 minutes, making it easy to slot into your working day.

  • 5 sessions per week, Monday to Friday
  • Appointments fit around work and daily life
  • Gradual improvement over the treatment course
  • Well-established protocol with extensive clinical evidence

Best suited for

People who prefer a steady, manageable routine and want treatment to integrate seamlessly alongside work, family, and everyday life.

Intensive

iTBS Intensive

Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation

5 Days Duration
35 Sessions

The full course is delivered across a single concentrated week. Multiple shorter sessions per day mean faster results. Ideal if you want to complete treatment quickly.

  • Multiple sessions per day over one working week
  • Complete your full course in just 5 days
  • Rapid onset — benefits emerge within the week
  • Based on the Stanford Accelerated protocol research

Best suited for

People who want results as quickly as possible, are able to dedicate a full week, or are travelling to the clinic for treatment.

Not sure which is right for you? During your initial consultation, we'll discuss both options in detail and help you choose the protocol that best fits your circumstances and treatment goals.

Your Journey

From first enquiry to feeling better

A clear, supported pathway - every step overseen by one Consultant Psychiatrist.

1

Initial Enquiry

Contact us by phone, email, or the enquiry form for an initial conversation. No pressure, no obligation.

2

Psychiatric Assessment

Your treatment journey begins with an in-depth face-to-face assessment with our Consultant Psychiatrist.

3

Consent & Planning

If rTMS is likely to benefit you, our Consultant Psychiatrist will plan your personalised treatment protocol with you - helping you understand what you can expect from treatment.

4

Treatment Course

A typical treatment course consists of 20 to 30 daily treatment sessions over 4 to 6 weeks, each session lasts around 20 minutes. We can offer flexible treatment slots. Drive yourself, minimal interruption.

5

Review & Aftercare

End-of-course review with our Consultant Psychiatrist. We will discuss any discharge or follow up plans with you.

Why TMS Cheltenham

Consultant-led. Holistic. Genuinely personal.

TMS Cheltenham is a specialist private practice led by a Consultant Psychiatrist with expertise in treatment-resistant mood disorders and interventional psychiatry.

Unlike many rTMS providers, every patient is seen, assessed, and managed by the same consultant and TMS practitioner throughout — offering you continuity of care and a friendly, personalised service. Treatment is set in the context of your whole clinical picture, including medication, therapy, nutrition, and lifestyle.

We are based in Cheltenham, serving patients across Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds, and the wider South West. Some patients from further afield may choose to stay in on of Cheltenham's excellent hotels and undergo one of our 5-day intensive, theta-burst treatment protocols

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
01

Personalised Care - Consultant Psychiatrist-Led

Every assessment, consent decision, and clinical review is conducted personally by a GMC-registered Consultant Psychiatrist — not delegated to technicians or nurses.

02

Holistic Treatment Approach

We can help you intergrate rTMS into a broader, holistic treatment plan that looks at pharmacotherapy, evidence-based psychotherapy, nutrition, and lifestyle medicine where relevant.

03

Full Diagnostic Work-Up

We do not offer rTMS without a thorough psychiatric assessment and understanding of your needs.

04

Validated Outcome Monitoring

We monitor your progress and reponse throughout your treatment cycle. You always know whether treatment is working.

05

GP & Referrer Communication

We work closely with other clinicians involved in your care. Your care is coordinated, not siloed.

Meet the Team

  • Dr Joe Ramsay

    Consultant Psychiatrist

    Co-Founder & Medical Director

  • Sarah Gallucci

    TMS Practioner

    Co-Founder & Service Manager

Common Questions

Everything you need to know before you enquire

If your question isn't answered here, please get in touch — we're happy to speak with you before any commitment is made.

"We believe that informed patients make better decisions. Our goal is never to persuade — it's to help you understand whether rTMS is genuinely right for you."

rTMS has an excellent safety profile and has been used clinically for over 30 years. It is non-invasive, requires no anaesthesia, and does not involve any electrical current passing through the brain. The most common side effects are scalp discomfort and mild headache, both of which typically resolve within the first few sessions. Seizure is a rare but recognised risk, which is why a thorough clinical assessment is carried out before treatment begins to identify and manage any relevant risk factors. rTMS is NICE-recommended and FDA-approved for the treatment of depression.
rTMS is available through some NHS trusts, but provision across the UK remains inconsistent — many trusts do not currently offer it as a routine service. However, because rTMS is a NICE-recommended therapy for treatment-resistant depression, NHS trusts that do not provide it directly may still be asked to fund treatment at an approved independent provider. This is sometimes referred to as an Individual Funding Request (IFR). If you are under NHS care and interested in exploring this route, we can provide supporting clinical documentation to assist your application. We recommend discussing this with your GP or psychiatrist in the first instance.
Most patients describe a tapping or flicking sensation on the scalp. Headache is common in the first few sessions and usually settles. The vast majority of patients complete their full course without difficulty — fewer than 5% discontinue due to side effects.
Yes, in most cases. rTMS is commonly used alongside medication. Your consultant will review your current prescriptions before treatment begins, as a small number of drugs that significantly lower the seizure threshold may need to be adjusted. Any changes will be discussed and agreed with you and your prescribing doctor.
Most patients begin to notice changes in weeks 2–4 of treatment. Some notice improvement sooner; for others benefits continue to emerge in the weeks after the course ends. Your consultant will review your progress formally at session 10, 20, and at the end of the course.
A growing number of UK health insurers now cover rTMS for treatment-resistant depression, including Bupa and AXA Health — but coverage varies by policy and clinical criteria. We can provide the necessary clinical documentation to support an insurance application. Please contact your insurer in advance to confirm your position.
No. You can self-refer directly to TMS Cheltenham. However, if you are already under the care of a psychiatrist or GP, we strongly recommend informing them and requesting any relevant clinical records, as this helps ensure you receive the safest and most effective treatment.
We monitor response carefully throughout. If you are not responding by the mid-course review, we will discuss options — which may include adjusting the protocol, extending the course, or considering alternative treatments such as ketamine, ECT, or augmentation strategies. We will never continue treatment that is not helping you.
Fees include an initial psychiatric assessment, the full rTMS treatment course (typically 20–30 sessions), all clinical reviews, and correspondence. Detailed pricing is provided at the initial enquiry stage. We aim to be transparent about costs from the outset, with no hidden charges.
Get in Touch

Begin your consultation

The first step is a conversation. Fill in the form below and we will contact you within one working day — no pressure and no obligation.

Location Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
The Health Hub, GL52 7AH
Telephone 01242 379185
Email enquiries@tms-cheltenham.co.uk
Response Time Within one working day