Known For: Founded in 2018 by board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Flatow as a full-service psychiatry group offering TMS alongside in-house ketamine therapy and pharmacogenomic testing; in-network with 15+ major insurers and offering Express and Accelerated TMS protocols.
Location
San Francisco, California
Address
One Sansome Street, Ste 3500 San Francisco, CA 94104
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 Francisco, 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 Francisco, 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.
Pacific Mind Health San Francisco offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy to people with various mood disorders. By doing so, they can help people overcome conditions that have failed to be eased with traditional forms of treatment. Conditions that can be treated using TMS therapy include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and more.
⚠ 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.
What People Like About Pacific Mind Health – San Francisco, California
When choosing a mental health care provider, feedback from past and current clients is invaluable. At Pacific Mind Health in San Francisco, client satisfaction is a top priority. Here’s what people appreciate about their services:
Compassionate Staff: We often hear how the staff’s empathy and understanding make a significant difference. They truly care.
Tailored Treatment Plans: Each client receives a personalized approach. This customization enhances the effectiveness of their care.
Wide Range of Services: From therapy to medication management, the variety ensures all aspects of mental health are covered.
Insurance Compatibility: Navigating insurance can be tricky. Pacific Mind Health’s commitment to working with various insurers simplifies the process for many.
Timely Appointments: In a city where wait times can be lengthy, their ability to schedule appointments promptly stands out.
Holistic Approach: They don’t just treat symptoms but look at the person as a whole. This approach promotes long-term wellbeing.
Skilled Providers: Clients praise the expertise of the practitioners. Their knowledge and proficiency are evident in the care provided.
Supportive Environment: The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, making clients feel safe and valued.
Each of these factors contributes to the high regard in which Pacific Mind Health is held among those seeking mental health services in San Francisco.
What People Don’t Like About Pacific Mind Health – San Francisco, California
While we delve deep into the many positives, it’s crucial to address the concerns some have expressed about Pacific Mind Health in San Francisco. Our commitment to transparency drives us to shed light on these aspects, ensuring you get a comprehensive view. Here are some points of contention highlighted by clients:
Scheduling Challenges:
High demand may lead to longer wait times.
Limited insurance patients accepted can restrict access.
Insurance Complexity:
Navigating in-network versus out-of-network distinctions can be confusing.
Out-of-network services require direct payment, complicating reimbursement.
Service Limitations:
Specialist services like psychiatry may have longer waiting lists.
Some clients find the focus on certain conditions too narrow.
The highly-skilled support staff at Pacific Mind Health San Francisco is led by board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Joshua Flatow. He and his team offer the most modern forms of treatment in a warm and welcoming environment. By providing TMS therapy, the clinic hopes to help as many people as possible regain control over their lives. People looking for ketamine therapy at the clinic can fill out their online TMS therapy assessment form.
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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