Questions worth asking a TMS clinic before you commit

Most people book the first clinic that takes their insurance, which is understandable but not always the best move. The clinic you choose determines the device, the protocol, who's actually in the room with you, and what happens if the first round doesn't work. A few worth prioritizing: What device do you use, and is it FDA-cleared for my condition? (NeuroStar, BrainsWay, MagVenture, and CloudTMS are the four major FDA-cleared devices in the U.S. — note that only BrainsWay's H7 coil is specifically cleared for OCD.) Do you offer both standard 10 Hz and theta-burst (iTBS) protocols? How do you measure my response — PHQ-9, MADRS, or just a conversation? Real clinics track this formally. What's your published response rate? Industry benchmarks run 50-60% response and 30-40% remission for depression — be skeptical of anyone claiming 80%+. Who supervises my care, and how often will I actually see them? What happens if I don't respond to the first course? Red flags: no supervising psychiatrist you'll ever meet, pressure to prepay the full course before insurance authorization clears, and no plan B if treatment doesn't work. A clinic that has genuinely seen non-responders will have an answer ready. https://tmslist.com/blog/questions-to-ask-tms-clinic/ What question do you wish you'd asked before starting? Any answers from a clinic that made you walk away, or made you confident you'd found the right one? This is general information, not medical advice.