Known For: Branch of Pacific Mind Health, founded in 2018 by board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Flatow as a full-service group offering TMS plus in-house ketamine and pharmacogenomic testing; in-network with 15+ major insurers and offering Express and Accelerated TMS protocols.
Most major commercial plans, Medicare Part B, and Tricare typically cover TMS for treatment-resistant depression after prior authorization — verify with this clinic.
HealingMaps Take: BrainsWay Deep TMS opens up OCD treatment on-label — a meaningful advantage over standard NeuroStar-only clinics, since only the H7 coil holds the FDA OCD clearance. Patients pursuing TMS for OCD or anxious depression should confirm the H7 coil specifically (vs the H1 coil used for MDD).
Market Position: One of the TMS providers in the San Diego, CA metro offering Deep TMS — relevant for OCD seekers (only Deep TMS H7 holds the standalone FDA OCD clearance) and patients who want non-focal deeper coil penetration.
Is Pacific Mind Health Right for You?
✓ Choose Pacific Mind Health if:
You’re seeking FDA-cleared TMS for OCD — only BrainsWay Deep TMS (used here) holds the standalone FDA OCD clearance via the H7 coil
You’re treating major depressive disorder with co-occurring anxiety — this clinic treats anxious depression on-label
You’re seeking TMS for smoking cessation — BrainsWay H4 holds an FDA short-term smoking cessation clearance
✗ Look elsewhere if:
You need accelerated SAINT-style TMS (5-day course) — ask the clinic to confirm whether they’re Magnus-credentialed
You want the 3-minute iTBS protocol specifically — this clinic may run only standard rTMS
You need rapid relief within days — TMS takes 2–4 weeks to start working. Consider ketamine or Spravato for acute stabilization
TMS protocols at this clinic
The TMS device a clinic operates determines which conditions can be treated on-label. The protocols offered here:
For a full breakdown of TMS devices (NeuroStar, BrainsWay, MagVenture, Magstim, Nexstim) and how protocols differ, see our complete guide to TMS therapy.
What to expect at your first appointment
Insurance pre-authorization (1–3 weeks). Before treatment begins, the clinic submits a prior-authorization request to your insurer. The request typically requires: a confirmed DSM-5 major depressive disorder diagnosis from a psychiatrist, documented failure of 2 to 4 adequate antidepressant trials (most carriers require at least 6 weeks at therapeutic dose for each), a baseline depression rating scale (PHQ-9, HAM-D, or BDI), and evidence of inadequate response to or contraindication for psychotherapy. About 30–50% of initial requests are denied; the highest-yield appeal is a peer-to-peer review between the clinic’s psychiatrist and the insurer’s medical reviewer (success rate exceeds 60% with full prior-trial documentation).
Motor threshold mapping (first session, 30–60 minutes added). The clinician delivers single magnetic pulses to the motor cortex and finds the minimum stimulation intensity that elicits a thumb or finger twitch. This motor threshold value sets dosing for every subsequent session — typically 110 to 120 percent of motor threshold. Re-mapping is non-routine.
Daily treatment sessions (5x/week, 19–37 min each for standard rTMS or 3 min for iTBS). You sit in a recliner with hearing protection (the magnetic pulses are loud). The coil is positioned against the scalp; you feel a tapping sensation during stimulation. There is no medication, no IV, no need to fast. Patients commonly read, listen to music, or scroll their phone during the session.
Drive home, return to work. No anesthesia means you drive yourself to and from each session. You return to work, school, or your normal day immediately afterward — no chaperone, no recovery period, no integration block. Many patients schedule sessions during a lunch break.
Questions to ask on your consult call
Which TMS device do you operate? This clinic uses BrainsWay Deep TMS. For OCD, only BrainsWay Deep TMS H7 has standalone FDA clearance. For adolescents (15–21), only NeuroStar (since 2024) and BrainsWay (since 2025) hold the relevant clearances.
Which protocols are available? Standard 10 Hz rTMS is universal. Ask about iTBS (3-minute sessions, FDA-cleared 2018), Deep TMS (BrainsWay H-coil, FDA-cleared 2013–2025 across multiple indications), and accelerated TMS — particularly SAINT (Magnus-credentialed Stanford protocol, 50 sessions in 5 days, $19,703 CMS hospital reimbursement effective July 2025).
Do you handle prior authorization in-house? Ask about the clinic’s peer-to-peer review process and what their success rate is when the initial PA is denied.
Are you in-network with my insurer? Verify network status with BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Humana, Medicare Part B, or Tricare — and ask about cash-pay package discounts (typically 10–25% off rack rate).
What does maintenance look like after the acute course? Ask about tapering boosters (weekly × 3 → biweekly × 3 → monthly), PRN booster sessions for early symptom return, and whether they recommend continued antidepressant maintenance during and after TMS.
Frequently asked questions
How much does TMS cost at this clinic?
Cash-pay TMS sessions in San Diego, CA typically run $300 to $500 per session, with the full 36-session course costing $7,200 to $15,000. Premium-metro clinics (NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston) charge 30 to 50 percent more. With insurance, copays typically run $0 to $250 per session depending on your deductible status; most patients with employer-sponsored PPO plans pay $500 to $3,000 out-of-pocket for a full course. Many independent clinics offer 10 to 25 percent package discounts for cash-pay patients. TMS is HSA- and FSA-eligible. Contact this clinic directly for their specific cash-pay rates and in-network status with your insurer.
Does insurance cover TMS at this clinic?
Most major commercial insurance plans (BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, Humana), Medicare Part B, and Tricare cover TMS for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. UnitedHealthcare typically requires 3 failed antidepressant trials; most other carriers require 2. Pre-authorization is mandatory across all major carriers. Coverage for off-label conditions (PTSD, fibromyalgia, bipolar depression, migraine) is rarely approved. Contact this clinic to verify in-network status with your specific insurer and to learn about their prior-authorization handling.
What is the “TMS dip” and will I experience it at this clinic?
The “TMS dip” is a patient-coined term for temporary worsening of mood or symptom intensification that some patients experience roughly mid-course (commonly between sessions 10 and 20) before clinical improvement begins. It’s not a sign that TMS is failing — it usually resolves with continued treatment. If you experience the dip, tell your clinician immediately. They may adjust intensity, frequency, or coil position. Importantly, dropping out before session 20 substantially reduces overall response rate. Patients who push through the mid-course dip generally have better outcomes than those who quit early.
Can I drive myself to and from sessions? Can I work the same day?
Yes. TMS requires no anesthesia, no sedation, and no IV access. Patients drive themselves to sessions, return to work, school, or normal activities immediately afterward, and need no chaperone or recovery period. This is the single largest patient-experience advantage TMS holds over ketamine therapy and ECT. Many patients schedule sessions on lunch breaks. The only post-session sensation is mild scalp tenderness for the first few sessions, which decreases substantially as scalp nerves desensitize.
Which TMS device does this clinic use, and why does it matter?
This clinic operates BrainsWay Deep TMS. The device determines what conditions can be treated on-label. For OCD, only BrainsWay Deep TMS H7 has a standalone FDA clearance. For adolescents 15–21, only NeuroStar (since March 2024) and BrainsWay (since November 2025) hold the relevant indications. Ask the clinic which device they operate before booking.
Does this clinic treat OCD with TMS?
Possibly — but only BrainsWay Deep TMS using the H7 coil holds a standalone FDA clearance for OCD (granted via the De Novo pathway in 2018). MagVenture’s Cool D-B80 has an OCD adjunct clearance. Standard NeuroStar (figure-8 coil) is not FDA-cleared for OCD. This clinic appears to use BrainsWay Deep TMS, which is the FDA-cleared device for OCD. The full OCD course is 29 sessions over 6 weeks with symptom-provocation protocols.
Do you treat adolescents (ages 15–21) with TMS?
The FDA has cleared TMS for adolescents 15 to 21 with major depressive disorder. NeuroStar received the first adolescent clearance in March 2024; BrainsWay Deep TMS followed in November 2025. There is no current FDA clearance for ages 12 through 14. Real-world evidence from NeuroStar’s clearance documentation cited 78 percent of treated adolescents achieving clinically meaningful improvement. Contact this clinic to confirm whether their device holds the adolescent indication and whether they treat patients in this age range.
Known For: Multi-location Southern California psychiatry practice with Spravato, TMS, and therapy — 4.9 star rating
Spravato and TMS may be insurance-covered — contact clinic
KAP Available?
No
Clinical Lead
Dr. Joshua Flatow — Board-Certified Psychiatrist
⚠ FDA-cleared indications for TMS therapy: treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, Deep TMS only), anxious depression, short-term smoking cessation, and adolescent MDD (ages 15–21). Use of TMS for other conditions including PTSD, bipolar depression, fibromyalgia, and other indications is off-label — not currently FDA-cleared for those specific indications. Discuss your condition with the clinic to understand insurance coverage and clinical evidence.
HealingMaps Take: Pacific Mind Health is a well-established multi-location practice offering Spravato (which may be insurance-covered) alongside TMS and traditional psychiatry. The near-perfect 4.9 rating and consistent praise for compassionate providers make it a reliable option in downtown San Diego.
Patient Review
“Pacific Mind Health has been a very positive influence in my life. Both the meds and therapy have had an immensely beneficial experience. I would highly recommend this clinic.” — Patient Review
People suffering from chronic mood disorders can get effective treatment at Pacific Mind Health San Diego. The mental wellness clinic offers modern therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to help ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and more. TMS therapy is clinically proven to help people overcome symptoms to regain control over their life once again.
What People Like About Pacific Mind Health – San Diego, California
When people seek mental health care, they want quality, compassion, and expertise. Based on reviews, Pacific Mind Health in San Diego, California, excels in several areas that matter most to patients and their families. Here’s what stands out:
Personalized care that meets individual needs
Expert staff who stay abreast of the latest in mental health treatments
Quick response times for appointments and inquiries
Personalized Attention and Care
Patients appreciate the tailored approach to their mental health care.
Each treatment plan addresses unique concerns and goals.
Staff take time to listen and understand patient needs.
Expertise and Knowledge
The team’s vast knowledge instills confidence in patients.
Ongoing training ensures they use the latest methodologies.
Collaboration with specialists enhances patient care.
Easy appointment scheduling helps in crisis situations.
Staff are known for their timely follow-ups.
Communications are clear, direct, and empathetic.
In an area as critical as mental health, these attributes significantly contribute to the positive experiences of those seeking help at Pacific Mind Health in San Diego. Our investigation into reviews highlights these strengths, painting a picture of a facility deeply committed to the well-being of its patients.
What People Don’t Like About Pacific Mind Health – San Diego, California
While we’ve covered the positives, it’s essential to address concerns some have shared about Pacific Mind Health in San Diego.
Appointment availability can be limited.
Some patients report long waits to secure their first appointment.
Communication might not meet everyone’s expectations.
Feedback includes delayed responses to calls or emails.
Billing issues have been a point of contention.
Patients sometimes face confusion over charges and insurance coverage.
Parking and facility access can pose challenges.
The location may have limited parking spaces, complicating visits.
Pacific Mind Health San Diego is led by board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Flatow. He and his support team take pride in their compassionate and well-rounded approach to care. By utilizing TMS therapy, the team at the clinic can effectively treat people who have found no relief through traditional medicine. If interested, the clinic has an easy and straightforward TMS therapy assessment form that can be filled out online.
The Healing Maps Editorial Team has decades of experience across all facets of the psychedelic industry. From assessing studies and clinic research, to working with clinician's and clinics, we help provide data-backed information to psychedelic-curious individuals across the globe.
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