EEG-Guided rTMS Treatment in Newport Beach

What is MeRT?

How MeRT^® Works

MeRT is an individualized form of rTMS therapy that incorporates:

Quantitative EEG (qEEG) brain mapping
EKG data
Targeted magnetic stimulation

Rather than using a single fixed stimulation pattern, MeRT adjusts stimulation frequency and location based on measured brainwave activity. This allows clinicians to tailor treatment settings to each person’s unique brain patterns.

The transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technology used in MeRT® is FDA-approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The MeRT® system is also FDA-cleared as an adjunctive treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Its use for other neurological or cognitive concerns is considered off-label in clinical practice.

MeRT is non-surgical, non-invasive, medication-free, and delivered in an outpatient setting. Treatment involves gentle magnetic pulses applied to specific areas of the scalp to modulate cortical activity.

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The MeRT Process (EEG-Guided rTMS)

MeRT builds upon rTMS technology by incorporating individualized diagnostic data into treatment planning.

Research has shown that many neurological and psychiatric conditions are associated with altered or dysregulated brainwave activity.

MeRT uses qEEG findings to guide stimulation parameters, supporting more coordinated neural communication.

Each treatment plan is individualized based on objective brain data and clinical presentation. Watch this video for a more detailed explanation.

“We can visualize these EEG disruptions.”

“MeRT is a variant of transcranial magnetic stimulation. This is where we are generating a magnetic field that we know penetrates a couple of centimeters into the cortex, the outermost layer of the brain, and has a lot of different settings to it as far as how fast we can treat, the power, and the dosage.

“As an overview, we’re talking about the speed of this oscillation, how some neurons might be slower, and some might be a little bit faster. We can visualize these EEG disruptions. This is a series of different types of cases:

“[These are] the frontal, central, and posterior portions of the brain. And we can count how many brain waves there are per second. What we expect to find is this brain clock, this radio frequency in the brain that helps us conduct information is the same in the back as we see in the central and frontal regions: There’s one peak and it lines up and it’s the same speed.

“What we might find with a patient coming into our clinics with concussion where they have in the front of the brain a slower frequency downstream of the injury. So they’re taking information in but they’re not able to keep up with it. We also see that in addiction. When we look at autism, we might find that this rhythm is disrupted everywhere in the brain.

“Our goal is to take that EEG and to specifically guide therapy settings to be individualized to that person’s brainwave activity.”

– Alex Ring, Director of Applied Sciences at Wave Neuroscience, speaking at the Autism One Conference

The Steps of MeRT Treatment

MeRT is an individualized form of EEG-guided rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). Treatment parameters—including stimulation frequency and location—are informed by each patient’s qEEG and EKG results.

Research has shown that many neurological and psychiatric conditions are associated with altered or dysregulated brainwave activity, including major depressive disorder, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, anxiety, and cognitive concerns. MeRT uses targeted magnetic stimulation guided by brainwave data to support more coordinated neural communication.

Click through the five steps below to learn how the MeRT process works from initial evaluation through follow-up testing.

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
Initial Analysis
Assessment Period
Full Treatment Program
Final Testing

Talk with our New Patient Coordinator

Our New Patient Coordinator is here to help

Call us and talk with our New Patient Coordinator. She will take the time to answer any questions you have as explain things. You can discuss your specific circumstances, and she can explain how it all works.

This consultation is free of charge, and there are no obligations to move forward with any further steps.

If you would like to take the next steps to see if you or your loved one may benefit from MeRT, she can schedule a qEEG (brain scan) and a consultation to discuss the results with our clinician.

Call (949) 418-1108

Initial Analysis

Woman getting a qEEG as part of her EEG-guided rTMS treatment for cognitive performance and mental health

The qEEG and Consultation

If you are interested in determining whether EEG-guided rTMS (MeRT) may be appropriate for you, we begin with two initial appointments, each lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Appointment One: qEEG and EKG Testing
During your first visit, we will collect your new patient paperwork and perform a quantitative EEG (qEEG), also known as a brain map, along with an EKG. This testing allows us to evaluate patterns of brain activity and identify areas that may be functioning out of sync.

Appointment Two: Clinical Consultation
A few days later, you will return to review your results with one of our clinicians, Kayleigh Prowse or Sheila Stephens. During this consultation, we will explain your qEEG findings, answer your questions, and discuss whether a personalized treatment plan may be appropriate for you.

All treatment protocols are overseen by our Medical Director, Dr. Julie Kim.

If you choose to move forward, we will then schedule your assessment period.

Assessment Period

Man receiving EEG-guided rTMS treatment for cognitive performance and mental health

Two-Week Assessment Period with EEG-Guided rTMS

Following your initial qEEG and consultation, treatment begins with a two-week assessment period. This phase allows both you and our clinical team to evaluate how your brain is responding to stimulation.

During this period, you will attend nine treatment sessions: Monday through Friday in the first week and Monday through Thursday in the second week. After completing these sessions, we repeat the qEEG to measure changes in brainwave activity and assess your progress.

Each treatment session lasts approximately 30–45 minutes. You will sit comfortably in a chair while a neuro-technician administers gentle magnetic stimulation near the scalp using a handheld device. The magnetic pulses are delivered in short, several-second intervals. Most patients experience a light tapping sensation, and treatment is generally well tolerated and does not require anesthesia or sedation.

Full Treatment Program

woman getting EEG-guided rTMS treatment for cognitive performance and mental health

Continuing Treatment

After the initial two-week assessment period, additional treatment is scheduled in two-week increments. Because sessions are administered Monday through Friday, patients should plan to remain in Newport Beach or the surrounding area during each treatment block.

Your repeat qEEG and clinical evaluation help determine how your brain is responding to stimulation. Some patients notice improvements during the assessment phase, while for others, changes become more apparent over time. For most individuals, we recommend a total treatment course of six to eight weeks (including the assessment period) to support more sustained results.

Because every brain is unique, each protocol is customized based on your qEEG and EKG data, as well as the condition being addressed. Many patients experience meaningful improvements that continue after treatment ends. Some may elect to have occasional follow-up sessions, depending on their goals and clinical response.

Throughout care, your provider will monitor progress with follow-up evaluations and periodic qEEG testing to ensure the treatment plan remains aligned with your needs.

Final Testing

Review of Changes and Improvements

At the conclusion of your treatment program, we perform a final qEEG to evaluate changes in brainwave activity and compare them with your initial results. This allows us to assess objective shifts in neural communication alongside the clinical improvements you may be experiencing.

As with any medical treatment, outcomes vary by individual. Response to therapy depends on multiple factors, including the condition being treated, overall health, and adherence to the recommended protocol. While many patients experience meaningful improvements, results cannot be guaranteed.

Your clinician will review your progress with you and discuss whether any follow-up care or periodic monitoring may be appropriate.

Contact Our New Patient
Coordinator for more Information

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel uncertain about treatment options and what is best. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.

Our goal is to help guide you through the process, enabling you to make an informed decision about whether our EEG-guided rTMS treatment is right for you or your child. Our clinicians and technicians are passionate about helping you to heal.