Depression can make every day feel like a mountain to climb. When therapy and medication don’t seem to help enough, it’s easy to lose hope. But there are new, proven treatments that are changing what recovery looks like for people with difficult-to-treat depression.

Harmony, a member of the Transformations Care Network, is proud to offer two of the most advanced options available today: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Spravato® (esketamine nasal spray). Both are backed by strong research and real-world results. Both are helping clients in West Virginia feel better, think clearer, and reconnect with life again.

What is TMS?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive therapy that gently stimulates specific areas of the brain linked to mood and emotion. Using a small device that delivers magnetic pulses, TMS helps “wake up” parts of the brain that may be underactive during depression.

Over time, these sessions help restore balance in the brain and reduce symptoms like low energy, hopelessness, or lack of motivation.

At Harmony, clients receive TMS using NeuroStar®, a leading FDA-cleared device. Each session lasts about 20 to 40 minutes. You can read, listen to music, or simply relax. There’s no anesthesia, no downtime, and most people resume their day right after.

Many clients describe feeling lighter and more focused within a few weeks. For some, it’s the first meaningful relief they’ve felt in years.

What is Spravato®?

Spravato® is an FDA-approved nasal spray for adults with depression that hasn’t improved after trying two or more antidepressants. It contains esketamine, a form of ketamine that works on a different brain pathway than traditional medications.

While most antidepressants target serotonin or norepinephrine, Spravato® affects glutamate, a key chemical messenger that helps brain cells communicate. This unique action helps “reset” how the brain responds to mood and stress, often leading to faster improvement.

At Harmony, Spravato® treatments take place in a comfortable, certified setting. Clients self-administer the nasal spray under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider, then rest for about two hours while staff monitor them for safety. Many spend this time relaxing or listening to calming music.

Some clients begin to notice a change in mood within a day of their first treatment. Over time, Spravato® can reduce deep sadness, emotional numbness, and the sense of disconnection that often come with depression.

Comparing TMS and Spravato®

Both TMS and Spravato® are designed to bring relief when other treatments haven’t worked. They share the same goal, helping people feel like themselves again, but they do it in different ways.

How they work

• TMS activates mood-regulating areas of the brain using gentle magnetic pulses.
• Spravato® works chemically, repairing communication pathways in the brain that affect emotion and motivation.

What treatment feels like

• TMS feels like light tapping on the scalp during the session. Most clients find it easy to tolerate.
• Spravato® can cause temporary lightheadedness or a feeling of detachment that fades before leaving the clinic.

Treatment schedules

• TMS usually involves a series of 36 sessions.
• Spravato® starts with two sessions per week for the first month, then less often as symptoms improve.

Recovery and side effects

• TMS requires no recovery time and has minimal side effects, usually mild scalp tenderness or a short headache.
• Spravato® may cause mild nausea or fatigue, but these effects fade within hours.

Both treatments are covered by many major insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, when criteria for difficult-to-treat depression are met.

Choosing between TMS and Spravato®

Every person’s experience with depression is different. Some people prefer TMS because it’s non-medication-based and fits easily into daily life. Others choose Spravato® for its potential to work quickly, especially when symptoms feel intense or overwhelming.

At Harmony, your care begins with a thoughtful evaluation. Our clinicians review your health history, current medications, and lifestyle to recommend the approach that best fits your needs. In some cases, clients may benefit from both treatments at different points in their recovery.

The goal is simple: to help you find real relief, not just temporary improvement.

Why choose Harmony for advanced depression care?

Harmony offers more than access to leading treatments. We provide care that’s centered on understanding, compassion, and collaboration.

• Comprehensive evaluations. Every client receives a full assessment to determine which treatment approach is likely to be most effective.
• Whole-person focus. We combine TMS or Spravato® with therapy, medication management, and lifestyle support to create lasting change.
• Experienced clinicians. Our providers are specially trained in interventional psychiatry and take the time to listen and guide you through every step.
• Local and accessible care. With clinics across West Virginia and telehealth for follow-up visits, we make advanced depression treatment easier to access than ever.

Harmony’s mission is to help clients rediscover hope. We’ve seen how both TMS and Spravato® can help people move beyond the weight of depression and reconnect with joy, energy, and purpose.

For new clients, please click here to schedule an appointment. For existing clients, please click here and find your office location to contact your office directly.