Can SAINT® TMS Be Done as an Outpatient?

Written by Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of AmericaMedically reviewed by Daniel Pietras, MDPublished November 3, 2026Last medically reviewed November 3, 2026Last updated November 3, 2026

Yes. SAINT® (Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy) is delivered in an outpatient clinic while patients are awake. No anesthesia or sedation is used, and there is no overnight hospital stay. Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America provides SAINT® in a private outpatient setting in Coral Springs, Florida, with dedicated treatment suites where patients can relax between sessions. This is different from hospital-based brain stimulation treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which requires anesthesia and a recovery period.

Key takeaways

SAINT® is an outpatient treatment — no hospitalization or overnight stay required.
No anesthesia or sedation is used; patients remain awake throughout.
Patients can generally drive themselves to and from the clinic each day.
Each treatment day includes ten short sessions with 50-minute breaks between them.
Neuro Wellness provides SAINT® in a private outpatient environment with dedicated suites.

What Outpatient SAINT® Treatment Means

SAINT® is delivered in an outpatient clinic, not a hospital. Patients sit in a treatment chair while an electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp delivers magnetic pulses to stimulate a specific brain region. The patient is awake and alert throughout, and can return to normal activities after each session.

There is no operating room, no anesthesia, no sedation, and no recovery period requiring medical observation. This makes SAINT® fundamentally different from hospital-based treatments like electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which requires general anesthesia and a supervised recovery period.

The Outpatient Treatment Day

Each SAINT® treatment day includes ten sessions of about ten minutes each, separated by roughly 50-minute breaks. The breaks are a deliberate part of the protocol — they allow the brain to respond to the stimulation pattern. Over five consecutive days, this totals 50 sessions.

During the breaks, most patients read, work on a laptop, rest, or socialize. Because the sessions are short and the breaks are built in, patients spend most of each treatment day at the clinic but are not in active treatment for the entire time.

See our detailed guide: What Happens During the 5 Days of SAINT®.

Private Outpatient Environment at Neuro Wellness

Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America provides SAINT® in a private outpatient setting designed for patient comfort. The clinic offers dedicated treatment suites where patients can relax between sessions, rather than sitting in a shared waiting room.

This private environment is part of what makes the five-day accelerated schedule manageable. Patients have a comfortable space to work, rest, or spend time with a companion during the 50-minute breaks between sessions.

Driving and Transportation

Because SAINT® does not involve anesthesia or sedation and does not impair alertness, patients can generally drive themselves to and from the clinic each day. This is one of the main practical differences between SAINT® and ECT, which requires an escort home after each treatment.

If you experience a side effect that affects your ability to drive, such as a significant headache or dizziness, tell the treatment team. A companion is optional rather than required.

Outpatient Versus Hospital-Based Treatment

SAINT® is an outpatient treatment. ECT, by contrast, is a hospital-based procedure that requires general anesthesia, induces a controlled seizure, and involves a supervised recovery period. Both are legitimate treatments for severe depression, but they differ significantly in setting, invasiveness, and recovery.

SAINT® is non-invasive, does not require anesthesia, and does not involve a seizure. Patients remain awake, can drive themselves home, and return to normal activities after each session. This is why SAINT® can be delivered in an outpatient clinic rather than a hospital.

Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America

Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America is an outpatient mental health treatment center at 9734 W Sample Rd, 2nd Floor, Suite B, Coral Springs, FL 33065. The clinic offers SAINT® on the Magnus Neuromodulation System, along with traditional TMS, SPRAVATO® (esketamine), Prism for PTSD, Proliv Rx, IV ketamine, psychotherapy, and medication management.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call 954-827-9793 or request a consultation online.

Is it really SAINT®? 5 checks

Before you pay for any 5-day program advertised as SAINT®, confirm these five points.

1
Is the clinic listed on Magnus Medical's provider locator?
If a clinic isn't on the official Magnus Medical locator (magnusmedical.com), it is not a verified SAINT® provider. Magnus Medical locator
2
Do they do a brain MRI to personalize your target?
SAINT® requires a brain MRI to find your individual target. No scan = not SAINT®.
3
Which TMS machine and software do they use?
SAINT® runs only on the Magnus Medical system with its FDA-cleared targeting software.
4
Is the 5-day protocol FDA-cleared, or off-label?
Ask the clinic to state in writing whether their 5-day protocol is FDA-cleared or an off-label schedule.
5
Do they offer it to minors?
SAINT® is FDA-cleared for adults only. Be cautious if a clinic offers an accelerated course to a teen or child.

Watch & Learn

Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.

Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week

Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?

Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.

SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.

How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS

SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.

Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.

What makes it different: SAINT is the only FDA-cleared depression treatment that uses an fMRI scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.

In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.

SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America

Coral Springs, Florida
Free benefits check · Self-pay options available
Call or Text: 954-827-9793

Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.

Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.