Accelerated rTMS (iTBS) for depression is now available at our Gold Coast and Melbourne clinics.

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Gold Coast & Melbourne

Accelerated rTMS for depression.

Brain Aid Clinics offers an accelerated intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) protocol for the treatment of depression — delivered across a concentrated one-week schedule rather than the traditional six-week daily attendance model.
Whether this programme is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made in consultation with your doctor. A suitability assessment is required before any treatment commences.

35

Total sessions

7

Consecutive days

5×

Per day
Request a suitability assessment →
View the schedule ↓
Programme structure — 7 days
Day 1
5 sessions
Day 2
5 sessions
Day 3
5 sessions
Day 4
5 sessions
Day 5
5 sessions
Day 6
5 sessions
Day 7
5 sessions
Morning block
Afternoon block
35 Total iTBS sessions
  • ◎ Anatomical neuronavigation
  • ◈ Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS)
  • ✓ Medicare rebate applicable
  • ◎ Non-invasive — no anaesthesia required
  • ◈ Indicated for depression
  • 📍 Gold Coast & Melbourne

About the programme

What accelerated
rTMS involves

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation treatment with an established evidence base for the treatment of depression. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain associated with mood regulation, without surgery, anaesthesia, or systemic medication.
The accelerated format delivers the same total number of sessions as a standard course — compressed into seven consecutive days rather than spread across six weeks. Each day involves a morning block and an afternoon block, with a break between them.
At Brain Aid Clinics, we use intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) — a pattern-based magnetic pulse sequence — with anatomical neuronavigation to individualise targeting of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for each patient.

Standard rTMS

Programme length

~6 weeks

Total sessions

30

Sessions per day

1

Attendance days

~30

Pulse type

Conventional rTMS

Accelerated rTMS

Programme length

7 days

Total sessions

35

Sessions per day

5

Attendance days

7

Pulse type

iTBS

This table describes treatment parameters only. It does not imply that one format produces superior clinical outcomes for any individual. Suitability is determined by clinical assessment.

How it works

The mechanism

of iTBS

The following describes the established mechanism of action of iTBS as understood from the published scientific literature. It does not constitute a prediction of individual response to treatment.

01

Theta Burst Stimulation

iTBS delivers bursts of three magnetic pulses at 50 Hz, repeated at 5 Hz — a pattern that mirrors the brain’s naturally occurring theta rhythm. This approach is recognised in the literature as an efficient method of inducing cortical plasticity changes in the stimulated region.

~3 min per session · ~600 pulses · Left DLPFC target

02

Anatomical Targeting

Rather than applying a fixed scalp measurement, Brain Aid Clinics uses anatomical neuronavigation to identify the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex — the brain region most consistently implicated in the neurobiology of major depressive disorder — for each individual patient.
Individualised per patient · Spatially verified · Each session

03

Concentrated Dosing

The accelerated schedule delivers multiple sessions per day with structured inter-session rest intervals. This approach is grounded in research into synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Individual response to any rTMS protocol varies and is not predictable in advance of treatment.
5 sessions daily · Rest intervals between sessions

Daily structure

What the week

looks like

Each of the seven days follows the same structure: a morning block of three sessions and an afternoon block of two sessions, with a midday break between them. Individual scheduling may vary slightly based on clinical requirements.

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Calming overactive fear circuits. Protocol chosen individually based on your symptoms.

Morning block

Break between blocks — patients may leave the clinic

Midday break

Session 4

Session 5

~1:00 pm – 2:30 pm · Sessions with structured rest interval

Afternoon block

5 sessions · approximately 4–5 hours at clinic
Outpatient — patients return home each day

Daily total

During each session

Each iTBS session takes approximately three minutes. A magnetic coil is positioned against the scalp. You remain fully awake and seated throughout. A tapping sensation at the scalp is typical. No anaesthesia is used, and no recovery period is required after each session.

Between sessions

Structured rest intervals between sessions are part of the clinical protocol. During these intervals you may remain in the clinic, use a laptop, read, or step outside. Most patients are able to drive — confirm this with your treating clinician at assessment.

After the programme

A post-programme clinical review is conducted at one week. Your referring GP or psychiatrist receives a full treatment summary. Where clinically indicated, maintenance sessions may be discussed at that review.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Clinical suitability

The following clinical criteria are used to assess whether the Accelerated rTMS programme may be appropriate for a given patient. Meeting one or more of these criteria does not confirm eligibility — a full clinical assessment is required in all cases.
This page describes the programme in general terms only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Whether Accelerated rTMS is appropriate for you is a decision to be made with your treating doctor, based on your individual clinical history.

Depression not adequately responded to antidepressant medication

Patients who have trialled two or more antidepressant medications at therapeutic dose without adequate response, or who are unable to tolerate antidepressant side effects.

◎

Clinical preference for an intensive, time-bounded course

A concentrated treatment week is clinically or practically preferable to a prolonged course of daily outpatient attendance.

◎

Logistical barriers to a standard rTMS course

The six-week daily attendance required for standard rTMS is not feasible due to geography, employment, or caring responsibilities. The Accelerated programme requires attendance for seven consecutive days.

◎

Previous incomplete rTMS course

A prior standard rTMS course was not completed, or was completed without adequate response. Eligibility for a further course, including the accelerated format, is subject to clinical review.

◎

Accelerated rTMS at Brain Aid Clinics is indicated for depression only. It is not offered for other conditions through this programme. A GP or psychiatrist referral is required for Medicare rebate eligibility. All patients must attend a clinical assessment prior to commencement.

Safety and tolerability

What is generally
reported by patients

The following reflects what is commonly reported during and after rTMS treatment based on published clinical literature and clinical experience. Individual experience varies. This is not a prediction of your personal experience.

💆

During sessions

A tapping or clicking sensation at the scalp is typical. Some patients report mild scalp discomfort, particularly in early sessions. Each session lasts approximately 3 minutes.

🚗

After each day

No sedation is used. Some patients report mild fatigue or a dull headache in early sessions — discuss management with your treating clinician. Confirm driving suitability at assessment.

📋

Monitoring

Your clinical team will check in with you each day throughout the programme. Symptom tracking occurs at baseline, during, and after the programme.

🔄

After the programme

A clinical review at one week post-programme is included. Your referring doctor receives a treatment summary. Ongoing management is coordinated with your treating team.

Programme fees

Fees and

Medicare rebates

We publish our programme fee so you can make an informed decision. Your out-of-pocket cost after Medicare rebate will depend on your individual eligibility — this is confirmed at your assessment appointment before any treatment commitment is made.

Programme fees

$8,900

Full 7-day Accelerated rTMS programme
Medicare rebate applicable for eligible patients

  • 35 iTBS sessions across 7 consecutive days
  • Anatomical neuronavigation — individualised targeting at every session
  • Pre-programme clinical assessment
  • Registered nurse support throughout
  • Post-programme review at 1 week
  • GP and psychiatrist treatment summary letter

Medicare rebates apply under MBS item numbers for eligible patients with a valid referral. Your individual out-of-pocket cost after rebate will be confirmed at assessment. No payment is required at the assessment stage.

How to proceed

Clinical suitability assessment

Before any programme is booked, you attend a clinical assessment with our team. This confirms whether the Accelerated rTMS programme is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
  • Review of diagnosis and treatment history
  • Assessment of clinical eligibility and any contraindications
  • Confirmation of Medicare rebate position
  • Discussion of what the programme involves and what to expect
  • Programme scheduling if clinically appropriate and you choose to proceed
Request an assessment →

Common Questions

Questions about

the programme

A GP or psychiatrist referral is required to access Medicare rebates for rTMS. If you do not currently have a referral, our team can advise on how to obtain one. Self-referred patients may be assessed on a private basis; however, we encourage involvement of your treating doctor to ensure continuity of care.

rTMS is generally used alongside existing medication rather than as a replacement. Your clinical assessment will include a review of your current medications. Any decisions about medication changes before, during, or after the programme should be made with your prescribing doctor — not in response to commencing rTMS.

A prior course of rTMS does not automatically exclude you from consideration. Your assessment will review your treatment history, including the protocol used, number of sessions completed, and the response observed. Eligibility is determined individually.
The programme requires attendance for seven consecutive days at our Southport clinic. For patients travelling from outside the Gold Coast, this may involve arranging short-term accommodation locally. Our team can provide information about nearby options. The concentrated format means travel and accommodation is required for one week only, compared to daily attendance over six weeks for a standard course.
rTMS has a well-established safety profile in the clinical literature. The most commonly reported side effects are mild headache and scalp discomfort, which typically resolve within hours and often reduce after the initial sessions. Serious adverse events, including seizure, are rare. rTMS is contraindicated in certain circumstances — including the presence of implanted metal devices near the head. Your assessment will screen for all contraindications before any treatment is offered.
Brain Aid Clinics uses anatomical neuronavigation to verify the stimulation target for each patient at each session. This means treatment is not applied at a fixed scalp location — the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is individually identified using spatial mapping. Neuronavigation is a standard clinical requirement across all Brain Aid Clinics sites and is not an optional add-on to the programme fee.

Brain Aid Clinics — Gold Coast & Melbourne

Find out whether Accelerated rTMS
may be appropriate for you

The programme is available at our Southport (Gold Coast) and Melbourne clinics. The first step is a clinical suitability assessment with our team — no treatment commitment required at that stage.
Call our team
Send an enquiry