TMS Therapy in San Diego

A Drug-Free Path Out of Depression and OCD

FDA-cleared TMS therapy, planned and supervised personally by Dr. Mario Salguero, a board-certified psychiatrist and former UC San Diego chief resident. No medication, no anesthesia, and no downtime, and a real option when antidepressants haven't worked.

Psychiatrist-planned, not technician-run FDA-cleared for depression and OCD No medication, no anesthesia Sessions that fit your day

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Why Patients Choose Us

What Sets Us Apart

A psychiatrist plans your TMS

Dr. Salguero evaluates you, designs your protocol, and oversees every session. Most clinics hand this to a technician.

Works when medication hasn't

TMS is FDA-cleared for depression and OCD and often helps people who haven't found lasting relief from medication.

Drug-free and low-disruption

No medication, no anesthesia, and no downtime. You stay awake, and most people drive themselves home afterward.

A full psychiatric practice behind it

If medication or combined care turns out to be the better path, it's available right here, not a referral out.

What We Treat

Who TMS Helps

DepressionA leading, FDA-cleared use of TMS for adults seeking a drug-free path forward.
Treatment-Resistant DepressionOften the strongest option when antidepressants have not delivered lasting relief.
OCDFDA-cleared, targeted treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Anxious DepressionFor depression that comes with persistent, hard-to-shake anxiety.
A Medication AlternativeFor people who cannot tolerate side effects or would rather not rely on prescriptions.
Whole-Brain WellnessCare focused on building lasting brain health, not just quieting symptoms.

How We Treat It

How TMS Works Here

A Full Psychiatric EvaluationDr. Salguero confirms the diagnosis and whether TMS is right for you before anything begins.
A Protocol Built for YouYour TMS plan is matched to your diagnosis and history, not run off a template.
In-Office, Drug-Free SessionsShort sessions in a quiet, private suite. You stay awake and drive yourself home.
Physician Oversight ThroughoutDr. Salguero monitors your response and adjusts the plan as needed.
Medication Review When UsefulAs a full psychiatric practice, we can address medication or combine approaches.
Progress Tracked Over TimeThe same physician follows your course from the first session to the last.

Meet Your Psychiatrist

Dr. Mario Salguero, MD-PhD

Dr. Salguero is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his residency at UC San Diego, where he served as chief resident in the Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Medicine unit. He holds an MD-PhD and has been recognized for his clinical work and research, including UCSD's Lewis L. Judd Research Award.

He plans and delivers your TMS himself, so your treatment is designed and supervised by a physician rather than run through a technician.

Board-Certified PsychiatristMD-PhDChief Resident, UC San Diego

How to Get Started

Three Steps to Real Answers

Reach out

Call, text, or send the form. We respond quickly and answer your questions directly.

A full evaluation

Dr. Salguero confirms whether TMS is the right option for you, and why.

Begin treatment

Start a TMS protocol built for you and overseen by your physician throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

TMS, Answered

Is TMS FDA-cleared and does it actually work?

Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared for depression and OCD, and it's often the strongest option for people who haven't found lasting relief from medication. Your evaluation determines whether you're a good candidate.

Does TMS hurt or have side effects?

It's non-invasive and requires no sedation. Some people feel a tapping sensation on the scalp during a session, and the most common side effect is mild, temporary scalp discomfort or headache. There are none of the systemic side effects of medication.

Will TMS work if antidepressants haven't?

Often, yes. TMS works through a different mechanism than medication, which is why it's frequently effective for treatment-resistant depression.

Who actually performs my treatment?

Dr. Salguero plans and oversees your care personally. You are not handed off to a technician or a rotating team.

What is a session like, and how long is a course?

You sit in a chair, awake and alert, for a short session and drive yourself home afterward. A full course usually runs over several weeks, and Dr. Salguero maps out the plan during your evaluation.

The Brain Strength Difference

TMS shouldn't be run off a conveyor belt. At Brain Strength for Life, a board-certified psychiatrist, not a technician, designs and supervises your treatment, and it's one part of a whole-person plan focused on building lasting brain health. Treatment is drug-free and non-invasive, with no medication side effects and no downtime.

If you're comparing TMS providers in San Diego, La Jolla, or Del Mar, the question that matters most is simple: who is actually in the room, planning and overseeing your care? Here, it's a physician.

Not everyone is a candidate for TMS, and the only way to know is a real evaluation. Here, that evaluation is done by Dr. Salguero himself, so you get a straight answer about whether TMS, medication, or a combination is the right next step, with no pressure and no obligation.

For patients across San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, and Carmel Valley, that means treatment built around your diagnosis rather than a single approach a clinic happens to offer.