When medication and therapy haven't silenced the intrusive thoughts and compulsions, our MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS protocol offers a breakthrough. FDA-cleared specifically for OCD, magnetic stimulation reaches the brain structures that drive the obsessive-compulsive cycle — without pills or surgery.

2.5M
US adults affected
2018
FDA-cleared for OCD
18min
Per session
0
Medication side effects
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 2.5 million adults in the United States. It's not a personality quirk or a preference for cleanliness — OCD involves measurable dysfunction in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).
When these circuits are hyperactive, your brain gets stuck in a loop: an intrusive thought triggers intense anxiety, and a compulsive behavior temporarily relieves it — only for the cycle to repeat, often hundreds of times per day. Traditional treatments like SSRIs and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy help many people, but roughly 40-60% of OCD patients don't achieve adequate relief from medication alone.
This is called treatment-resistant OCD — and a comprehensive plan combining MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS, ERP, and medication review is designed exactly for this situation.
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause significant distress
Compulsive rituals (hand-washing, checking, counting, arranging)
Contamination fears and excessive cleaning behaviors
Repeated checking of locks, stoves, or other items
Need for symmetry, order, or "just right" feelings
Mental rituals — counting, praying, or repeating words silently
Fear of harming yourself or others (despite no desire to)
Avoidance of situations that trigger obsessive thoughts
Our Approach
OCD rarely responds to one tool alone. The patients we see have usually tried an SSRI, sometimes ERP therapy, and still feel stuck. We pair our MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS — one of the most clinically studied magnetic stimulation platforms in the world — with the two other pillars of evidence-based OCD care: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and careful medication management.
How MagVenture TMS Works for OCD
MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS delivers focused magnetic pulses to the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits implicated in OCD — the same brain pathways where intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals get stuck in a repetitive loop. By modulating activity along these circuits, repeated stimulation helps normalize the brain's error-detection and decision-making signals, reducing the intensity and frequency of obsessions and compulsions when paired with ERP therapy and medication.
The MagVenture MagPro R30 delivers focused magnetic pulses through the scalp — no surgery, no implants, no sedation — targeting the cortical circuits involved in OCD's compulsive loop.
Repeated stimulation across a treatment course normalizes overactive CSTC circuit signaling, reducing the brain's false "danger" signals that drive intrusive thoughts and the urge to perform rituals.
Magnetic stimulation creates neuroplastic changes that often persist after treatment ends. Many patients report continued improvement in OCD symptoms for months following their course, especially when ERP and medication continue.
Treatment-Resistant OCD
Treatment-resistant OCD means your symptoms haven't adequately responded to first-line treatments — typically SSRIs (like fluoxetine or fluvoxamine) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy. If you've tried multiple medications, endured difficult side effects, and still struggle with intrusive thoughts and compulsions, adding MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS to your existing plan offers a fundamentally different angle on the same circuits.
Your Treatment Journey
We evaluate your OCD history, current treatments, and symptoms. We discuss how MagVenture MagPro R30 TMS fits into a comprehensive plan with ERP and medication, and verify your insurance coverage.
Your first session includes precise coil positioning on the MagVenture MagPro R30 and motor-threshold calibration so the stimulation intensity is tuned to your individual brain.
29 sessions over 6 weeks. Each session is approximately 18-20 minutes. You may be asked to engage in brief provocation exercises to activate OCD circuits during treatment, enhancing effectiveness.
Most patients notice a reduction in intrusive thoughts and compulsive urges within the first few weeks. Improvements often continue after treatment ends. Maintenance sessions are available if needed.
FAQ
We use the MagVenture MagPro R30 with a coil and protocol designed for OCD-relevant circuits. MagVenture is one of the most clinically studied magnetic stimulation platforms in the world, and the MagPro R30 supports the higher-intensity stimulation patterns that OCD work requires. We do not use generic or budget-tier TMS systems.
TMS for major depression is FDA-cleared on the MagVenture MagPro R30 platform we use. For OCD specifically, separate device-and-protocol clearances exist in the field. Our OCD care is delivered as part of a comprehensive plan — ERP therapy, medication management, and MagVenture TMS where it is clinically appropriate — and we are honest about which parts of your plan are FDA-cleared on-label versus off-label.
In the pivotal clinical trial, approximately 1 in 3 patients achieved a meaningful response (at least a 30% reduction in symptoms), and many continued to improve after the treatment course ended. Real-world data suggests even higher response rates when combined with ongoing therapy. Most patients notice a reduction in the intensity and frequency of intrusive thoughts within the first few weeks.
A typical course for OCD is about 6 weeks: 5 sessions per week for the first several weeks, then sessions taper based on response. Each session lasts approximately 18-20 minutes. We may ask you to engage in brief exposure-related exercises during sessions to activate the OCD circuits, which can enhance treatment effectiveness.
Yes. MagVenture TMS can be used alongside SSRIs, clomipramine, and other OCD medications. Many patients find that TMS enhances the effectiveness of their existing medication regimen. Some patients are eventually able to reduce their medications under their psychiatrist's guidance after completing treatment.
Coverage varies by plan. Some major insurers cover TMS for OCD when previous treatments (medication and ERP therapy) have been insufficient. We verify your specific coverage before starting treatment and walk you through cash-pay options when insurance does not cover treatment.
You will sit in a comfortable chair while the coil is positioned over your head by the clinician. When the device activates, you feel a tapping sensation on your scalp. Some patients find it mildly uncomfortable at first, but most adjust within the first few sessions. You stay fully awake and alert throughout, and can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately after.
We offer three core services in Provo, Utah: TMS therapy, medication management, and counseling. Many patients use more than one.
Your free consultation is a confidential, no-pressure conversation about your OCD and whether MagVenture TMS — alongside ERP and medication — is right for you.
1200 Towne Centre Blvd, STE 1120 — Provo, UT 84601