KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Magnetic pulses are transforming depression treatment at Mindful Behavioral Healthcare in Kissimmee, where patients report dramatic improvements through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive therapy gaining traction in mental health treatment.

Jose Barriento had exhausted traditional depression treatments before discovering TMS.

“I felt like a failure,” Barriento said. “Walking in, I’m thinking, ‘You took all these medicines, nothing’s working, this is just another thing that’s not going to work.’”

His skepticism quickly dissolved after his first session.

“Immediately as I walked outside, everything just felt so quiet. My mind was quiet,” Barriento said. “It was like the sludge was just wiped right off. I felt lighter, the colors were so vibrant.”

[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]

Dr. Vivian Charneco, founder and medical director of Mindful Behavioral Healthcare, reports that 83% of TMS patients experience improvement in depression symptoms, with 67% maintaining long-term relief.

“The effects are phenomenal. The patients have much more improvement with this treatment than the traditional medication and psychotherapy,” Charneco said.

The treatment begins with brain mapping to identify precise stimulation areas. Clinicians then place a coil magnet, approximately the size of a quarter, against the patient’s head.

“Magnets emit magnetic pulses to the brain and actually stimulates the areas of the brain that are associated with depression,” Charneco explained.

Each TMS session lasts about 20 minutes, with patients typically undergoing treatment for six weeks. Recent research from UCLA Health shows that patients may begin experiencing improvement as early as the first week of treatment.

For Barriento, TMS therapy sparked significant life changes. Following treatment, he advanced to a leadership position at work, became a registered EMT, and began studying paramedicine. However, he values the everyday moments most.

“Being very present with my family, you know, with my wife, my son Liam, and everything just lining up like I am meant to be here,” Barriento said.

The FDA approved TMS for depression treatment in 2008, and it has become increasingly recognized as an effective option for patients who don’t respond to traditional antidepressants. According to recent Stanford University research, newer protocols of TMS therapy have shown remission rates as high as 79% in patients with treatment-resistant depression.