- 21297 Foothill Blvd, Ste 203 Hayward, CA 94541
- (415) 636-9700
- hello@exxceedwellness.com
When your teenager’s antidepressant isn’t enough, there is now an FDA-cleared next step.
In March 2025, the FDA cleared TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) for adolescents ages 15 through 21 with major depressive disorder — as an add-on to antidepressant medication. Exxceed Wellness in Hayward, CA delivers adolescent TMS on the Magstim Horizon 3.0, one of the systems that carries this clearance. Adolescent TMS is newly cleared and not yet widely available in the Bay Area.
TMS for adolescents is cleared specifically for major depressive disorder in ages 15–21, used alongside antidepressant medication, not instead of it. It is not cleared for anxiety or OCD in this age group, and we don’t offer it below age 15. If your teen’s situation doesn’t fit the clearance, a consultation is still the right first step — psychiatric evaluation, medication optimization, and therapy coordination are all-ages services at our practice.
Adolescent depression that hasn’t responded to an SSRI leaves families with hard choices. TMS adds a non-medication treatment on top of the medication that’s already in place: no sedation, no systemic side effects like weight gain or sexual side effects, no anesthesia — and your teen can drive (if licensed), attend school, and return to sports the same day. The most common side effect is temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.
A mapping visit first (45–90 minutes), then short daily sessions five days a week for about six weeks. Sessions run from roughly 3 minutes (iTBS) to about 20–37 minutes depending on protocol — most teens schedule around school. A parent or guardian is part of every candidacy decision, consent conversation, and progress review.
Candidacy requires: age 15–21, a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, a current antidepressant (or willingness to start one — the clearance is adjunctive), and screening for seizure risk and metal implants. Candidacy is determined at an in-person or telehealth consultation with you and your teen together.
Is TMS safe for teenagers? TMS has been used in adults since 2008; the adolescent clearance (2025) was based on safety and effectiveness data in ages 15–21. The most common side effect is temporary scalp discomfort; serious side effects are rare. We screen every candidate for seizure risk factors before treatment.
Does my teen have to stay on medication? Yes — the FDA clearance for ages 15–21 is as an add-on to antidepressant treatment. TMS is not a replacement for medication in this age group.
Can TMS treat my teen’s anxiety or OCD? No. In ages 15–21 the clearance is for major depressive disorder only. OCD and anxious-depression clearances apply to adults. We treat adolescent anxiety and OCD with evaluation, medication management, and therapy.
Will insurance cover TMS for a teenager? Coverage for adolescent TMS is newer and varies by plan. We verify benefits and handle the prior-authorization process before treatment begins.
What ages do you see? The practice sees children, teens, and adults for evaluation and medication management. TMS specifically is available at ages 15 and up per FDA labeling.
We see families in person at our Hayward, CA clinic and by telehealth across California. Schedule a consultation or call (415) 636-9700. Learn more about TMS therapy and treatment-resistant depression care at Exxceed Wellness.
Educational only; not medical advice. FDA clearances and candidacy depend on your teen’s specific situation.
Written by Nefretiri Abat, PMHNP-BC, JD — board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Exxceed Wellness, Hayward, CA. Last updated July 2026.
