tDCS Therapy

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) therapy is a treatment for depression and other mental health conditions and disorders. The tDCS device is fully portable, providing flexibility in patient treatment, including for those patients who are unable to travel to a clinic location for daily treatments.

Treatment using the tDCS device promotes neurological activity in specifically targeted areas of the brain. tDCS has been found effective in patients with a range of levels of depression, from mild to severe, and presents an alternative treatment where medication has been ineffective, or if side effects experienced have been intolerable. Additionally, it is non-invasive and does not have the side effects often associated with other treatment options.

After educating them on how to do their tDCS treatments, Healthy Mind Solutions provides patients with a loan machine and consumables to enable them to continue their treatments at home.

More details about tDCS therapy…

The treatment is drug free, without serious adverse effects.
It is an effective and safe alternative or adjunctive treatment to antidepressant medications.
Your psychiatrist will determine with you whether tDCS is an appropriate treatment option.
Your treatment plan will usually consist of 5 daily sessions a week, for four or more weeks.
Each session is 30 minutes.
The treatment is painless.
The effects of treatment are cumulative, so sticking to the treatment plan is essential.

Common questions about tDCS Therapy…

Patients report a range of changes as a result of tDCS, including improved mood, sleep and activity levels, and a reduction in anxiety.
tDCS therapy is recommended for Healthy Mind Solutions patients when other interventions, such as psychological therapy and medication alone, have been unsuccessful, or when patients prefer to have medication-free treatment. Your practitioner will talk with you about all the options available, including tDCS therapy, which for some patients will be used in conjunction with other therapies.
Because the device is portable, tDCS treatments can be done almost anywhere. You will wear a special cap with two electrodes embedded in it, which is attached to a small stimulation unit. The therapy uses a very weak current and during your treatment we encourage you to do an activity that is mentally challenging. Some patients like to read a book / newspaper, do sudoku or crossword puzzles. These sorts of activities increase treatment efficacy and can also make the time pass more quickly.
Yes, absolutely. After treatment you can continue whatever you would usually be doing for the rest of your day.
During the first few minutes you may feel a slight tingling sensation on the scalp, which subsides gradually.
Yes, for patients our team consider appropriate for home treatment with tDCS, it is definitely safe for you to manage it yourself. You will receive a personal cap to use for your treatments, and specialised training from a Healthy Mind Solutions therapist, so that you can be confident doing the sessions on your own.
tDCS Therapy is paid for privately.