The Stanford SAINT protocol introduced a new model of intensive, precision-guided
TMS delivered over just five days.
If you have been living with depression, anxiety, OCD, or PTSD and have been putting off exploring TMS therapy, summer may be exactly the window you have been waiting for. At Sleep, TMS & Wellness Psychiatry in Great Neck, NY, we offer Accelerated TMS — a 5-day intensive protocol that delivers results in a fraction of the time of standard TMS treatment. For patients across Long Island and Nassau County, the flexibility of a summer schedule may make right now the most practical moment to finally take that step.
What Is Accelerated TMS? A Quick Overview for Long Island Patients
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment for depression that uses targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain circuits involved in mood regulation. Standard TMS is delivered once per day over approximately 6 weeks — about 36 sessions total. Accelerated TMS compresses that same treatment into a single week, with multiple sessions per day separated by carefully timed rest intervals.
At STW, our Accelerated TMS program is based on the Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT) protocol — one of the most rigorously studied intensive TMS approaches in existence. A 2021 Stanford University study found that approximately 86% of participants with treatment-resistant depression experienced remission after completing the protocol. Many reported noticing a meaningful difference within days, not weeks. While individual results vary significantly and no treatment works for every patient, this data represents a meaningful advance in how quickly TMS can potentially help.
There is no anesthesia, no sedation, and no recovery time. You can drive yourself to and from our Great Neck office for every session. Most patients describe the experience as a gentle tapping sensation on the scalp — unusual, but not painful, and something that typically becomes more comfortable after the first day or two.
Why Summer Is the Right Time for Accelerated TMS in Great Neck
One of the most common reasons patients across Long Island delay starting TMS is scheduling. Finding 5 uninterrupted days — especially during the school year or a busy work season — can feel impossible. Summer changes that reality for many people in ways that no other season quite does.
- Teachers, school counselors, and school staff across Nassau County often have July and August completely free. Before the fall semester begins is an ideal time to complete a full Accelerated TMS course and return to work already experiencing the benefits.
- Parents whose children are at summer camp or spending a week with grandparents often have a rare window of personal time. Dedicating that week to your own mental health — rather than to-do lists or catching up on work — may be one of the most valuable uses of that time.
- Professionals who take summer vacation often feel guilty spending it on leisure. One focused week at our Great Neck clinic is a different kind of reset — and patients frequently report returning to work with clarity and energy they had not felt in years.
- Patients who have been researching TMS for months but keep delaying often find that summer finally removes the ‘I’ll do it when things calm down’ excuse. Things do not tend to calm down — but summer creates a natural pause that other seasons rarely offer.
What Your 5-Day Accelerated TMS Week Looks Like at STW
Understanding exactly what to expect makes it much easier to commit. Here is a realistic, step-by-step picture of an Accelerated TMS week at Sleep, TMS & Wellness Psychiatry in Great Neck, NY.
Before your 5-day week begins: You will have a comprehensive evaluation appointment with Dr. Gupta. He will review your full psychiatric and medical history, confirm you are a good candidate, and complete brain mapping using MRI-guided neuronavigation technology — the ‘Atlas’ system by MagVenture. This allows us to identify the precise brain region to target based on your individual anatomy, rather than using a population-average estimate. Your motor threshold (the minimum stimulation intensity that produces a visible response) is also measured to calibrate treatment intensity to you specifically.
During each treatment day: You arrive at our Great Neck office in the morning. Each TMS session involves sitting comfortably in a reclining chair while the magnetic coil is positioned precisely against your scalp. You will hear a clicking sound and feel a light tapping sensation. Between sessions, you rest in the office — most patients read, listen to music, or simply relax. There is no sedation, no grogginess, and no restrictions. After each day, you drive yourself home and resume your normal evening.
After day five: Your treatment course is complete. You will have a follow-up with Dr. Gupta to assess your response and plan any next steps. Some patients notice changes during the treatment week itself; others experience the full benefit in the weeks following as the brain consolidates the neuroplastic changes TMS has produced.
Traditional TMS requires approximately six weeks of treatment, whereas Accelerated
TMS condenses therapy into five consecutive treatment days.
Is Accelerated TMS Right for You? A Simple Checklist
Accelerated TMS at STW in Great Neck may be a strong fit if you answer yes to any of the following:
- You have tried one or more antidepressants without achieving the relief you were hoping for
- You want to explore a non-medication, non-invasive treatment approach
- You cannot commit to a 6-week daily schedule but can dedicate one focused week
- You have previously completed a standard TMS course with only partial results
- You are a busy professional, caregiver, or teacher with summer schedule flexibility
- You need faster results due to the severity of your current symptoms
Insurance and Self-Pay Options for Accelerated TMS in Nassau County
Standard TMS, by contrast, is covered by most major insurance plans when medically appropriate criteria are met — typically a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and documentation of at least one antidepressant trial without sufficient benefit. Our team handles the prior authorization process on your behalf. If you are unsure whether standard or accelerated TMS is the right choice for your situation, the free 15-minute consultation is the place to start that conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated TMS
How is Accelerated TMS different from standard TMS?
Standard TMS delivers one session per day over about 6 weeks. Accelerated TMS delivers multiple sessions per day over 5 consecutive days — exploiting a neurological mechanism called synaptic tagging and capture to potentially drive faster and deeper changes in the brain circuits that regulate mood.
Will I need to take time off work?
Yes — you will be at our Great Neck office for most of the day during your 5-day treatment week. However, there is no recovery time between sessions or after each day. Many patients use vacation days, a summer break, or a planned week off.
How soon might I notice results?
In the Stanford SAINT study, many participants noticed meaningful improvement within the first few days of the protocol. In clinical practice, response varies — some patients notice changes during the week, others in the weeks that follow. Dr. Gupta monitors your progress throughout and will discuss realistic expectations for your specific situation.
Do I have to stop my current medications?
In the Stanford SAINT study, many participants noticed meaningful improvement within the first few days of the protocol. In clinical practice, response varies — some patients notice changes during the week, others in the weeks that follow. Dr. Gupta monitors your progress throughout and will discuss realistic expectations for your specific situation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation at Our Great Neck Office
Sleep, TMS & Wellness Psychiatry is located at 560 Northern Blvd, Suite 206, Great Neck, NY. We serve patients from across Nassau County and Long Island, including Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, Garden City, Mineola, Syosset, and Hicksville, as well as patients from Queens, Manhattan, and the broader New York metro area. Telemedicine consultations are available for patients across New York State who want to learn more before committing to an in-person visit.
Summer is short. If this is your window, we would be honored to help you use it well. Call us today or request a free 15-minute consultation online — no referral needed, no obligation.
Call us: (516) 684-9535
