What Happens If I Miss a TMS Session?

Understanding the impact of a missed TMS session—and how to stay on track without the guilt.

At Goodwin Health Café, we understand that life happens. Even when you’re committed to your mental health journey, things like unexpected meetings, illness, traffic, or family obligations can get in the way. If you’re undergoing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, you might be wondering: What happens if I miss a session? Will it throw off my progress?

Let’s take a deep breath together and break this down. Missing one TMS session is not the end of the world—but it’s important to know how to handle it and how to protect the long-term benefits of your treatment.

Why Consistency Matters in TMS Therapy

TMS therapy works by delivering gentle, targeted magnetic pulses to the areas of your brain responsible for mood regulation. These pulses are administered consistently over several weeks—typically five days per week for four to six weeks—to gradually rewire neural pathways and support better mood function over time.

The keyword here is consistency. Like physical therapy or training a muscle, TMS relies on a steady rhythm to help your brain build and maintain the changes it needs to improve your mental health. Each session builds on the previous one, reinforcing those neural connections little by little.

Will a Missed TMS Session Disrupt My Progress?

Here’s the good news: One missed TMS session isn’t likely to undo your progress.

In most cases, if you skip a day and resume treatment the next day or shortly after, the therapeutic effects continue without major disruption. Your care team can easily adjust your schedule to make up for the session and keep your total number of treatments on track.

However, frequent or extended gaps—especially in the early phase of treatment—can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy. That’s why we recommend staying as consistent as possible and communicating with your provider right away if you anticipate needing to pause.

Common Reasons People Miss TMS Sessions

You're not alone if you’ve had to reschedule or cancel a session. Some common reasons include:

• Illness or medical appointments

• Work or school scheduling conflicts

• Transportation issues

• Anxiety or nerves about treatment

• Family emergencies

Whatever the reason, we want you to know that you’re not being judged. Life is unpredictable, and mental health care should never feel rigid or punitive.

What to Do If You Miss a TMS Session

If you miss a session (or think you might need to), here’s how to stay proactive and empowered:

1. Call your clinic as soon as possible.Let your provider know why you missed or need to reschedule. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility they’ll have to adjust your schedule and help you make up the session.

2. Reschedule quickly.Try to rebook your missed session within the same week, if possible. The goal is to maintain treatment momentum without long pauses between sessions.

3. Don’t stress.Missing a session doesn’t mean you’ve failed your treatment. Avoid falling into guilt or anxiety over it—that stress can actually work against your healing.

4. Stick to your original schedule moving forward.Getting back into the routine right away is key. Set reminders, build your day around your session, and don’t hesitate to ask your clinic for support.

Tips to Help You Stay on Track

While flexibility is important, having a few strategies in place can make sticking to your TMS schedule a little easier:

• Set daily alarms or calendar reminders.

• Plan your sessions at the same time each day.

• Ask a loved one to be your accountability buddy.

• If transportation is an issue, talk to your provider about solutions.

• Use the time as a self-care ritual—bring a favorite book, playlist, or journal.

Many of our patients at Goodwin Health Café find that treating TMS like an appointment with themselves helps reframe the process as something empowering rather than burdensome.

The Bottom Line

Missing a single TMS session isn’t the end of your healing journey—but consistency still matters. Staying committed to your treatment plan, communicating openly with your provider, and giving yourself grace along the way are the best ways to make sure TMS can support the outcomes you're working toward.

If you’ve missed a session recently and aren’t sure what to do next, reach out to your care team. We’re here to guide you back on track and help you navigate any challenges with compassion and care.

Looking for more support with your mental health treatment plan?Goodwin Health Café is here for you. We provide a welcoming, evidence-based approach to care, including TMS therapy, medication management, and therapy for individuals of all ages.

Visit us at Goodwin Health Café 5625 N. Wall St. Suite 100 Spokane, WA 99205