EEG-Guided MeRT for Depression · Michigan

Depression treatment built around
how your brain actually works.

MeRT® doesn't guess. It starts with a detailed map of your brainwave patterns — then targets the specific areas driving your depression. Non-invasive, drug-free, and personalized to you. FDA-cleared TMS (the technology used in MeRT) may be covered by your insurance.

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Non-invasive, drug-free
FDA-cleared rTMS equipment
Insurance may cover treatment
Functional medicine approach
Metro Detroit + Grand Rapids
Who this is for

MeRT may be right for you if standard treatments haven't been enough

Depression is one of the most common conditions we treat — and one of the most misunderstood. Many people spend years cycling through medications that don't work, or that work partially but come with side effects they'd rather not live with. MeRT offers a different path: one that starts with your brain's actual activity rather than a trial-and-error approach to chemistry.

Treatment-resistant depression

If you've tried one or more antidepressants without adequate results, you may qualify as treatment-resistant — and insurance is more likely to cover TMS.

Medication side effects

If antidepressants cause side effects that limit your quality of life, MeRT offers an alternative that works through a completely different mechanism.

Wanting a root-cause approach

If you want treatment that addresses the underlying neurological patterns driving your depression — not just symptom management — MeRT starts there.

Real patient stories

Two different paths — one treatment

Ashley had tried everything and nothing stuck. Angie knew from the start she didn't want medication. Different journeys — both found what they were looking for at Brain Treatment Center Michigan.

Treatment-resistant depression
Ashley — prescriptions didn't help, counseling didn't stick
After years of trying, Ashley found MeRT and says she became an even better version of herself.
Drug-free from the start
Angie — chose MeRT to avoid medication entirely
Angie made a deliberate choice to treat her depression without pharmaceuticals. MeRT gave her a path that worked.
Why MeRT is different

Standard antidepressants treat brain chemistry broadly.
MeRT targets your specific patterns.

Depression often involves measurable dysregulation in specific brain networks — particularly those governing mood, attention, and emotional regulation. MeRT maps those patterns with a qEEG brain scan, then uses focused magnetic stimulation to encourage healthier communication in exactly the areas that need it.

Standard antidepressants
  • —Adjust brain chemistry broadly
  • —Same medication, same dose for everyone
  • —Trial-and-error to find what works
  • —Side effects while adjusting
  • —Ongoing dependency for many patients
MeRT at BTM
  • ✓Protocol built from your qEEG data
  • ✓Targets specific dysregulated networks
  • ✓No guesswork — starts with your brain
  • ✓No pharmaceutical side effects
  • ✓Six-week course — not indefinite
The functional medicine difference

We treat the whole person — not just the diagnosis

Brain Treatment Center Michigan operates on a functional medicine foundation. That means we don't just look at your depression as an isolated brain event — we consider the full picture: neurological patterns, systemic inflammation, nutritional status, sleep, hormones, and the other factors that contribute to how your brain functions.

For many patients, MeRT works best as part of a broader approach to brain health. Our physician team is equipped to evaluate and address root-cause contributors alongside the MeRT treatment itself.

What functional medicine means for your treatment

Our CMO Dr. Ramona Wallace, DO brings a functional medicine lens to every patient evaluation. Where conventional psychiatry asks "what medication fits this diagnosis," functional medicine asks "what is driving this pattern, and what does this individual need to restore healthy function." MeRT and functional medicine are a natural pairing — both are personalized, data-driven, and focused on root cause rather than symptom suppression.

How the process works

From your first call to your results appointment — six weeks.

1

Consultation and intake evaluation with our psychiatrist

Your first visit includes a full consultation and intake evaluation with our psychiatrist with Dr. Wood. She establishes or confirms your diagnosis, documents prior treatment history, and determines clinical eligibility for MeRT.

2

qEEG brain mapping

A comfortable EEG cap records your brainwave patterns — no needles, no discomfort. Dr. Wallace analyzes the data and designs a personalized treatment protocol around your specific findings.

3

Daily treatment sessions

Monday through Friday for approximately six weeks. Each session is 30–45 minutes. The EEG is repeated at weeks two, four, and six so the protocol adjusts as your brain responds.

4

Results review

At the end of treatment you review your before-and-after EEG data with the physician team and discuss what changed and what comes next.

Insurance and cost

FDA-cleared TMS (the technology used in MeRT) may be covered by your insurance

FDA-cleared TMS is a covered benefit under many insurance plans for treatment-resistant depression and related conditions. Our team verifies benefits before you commit to anything.

TRICARE

Covers FDA-cleared TMS for MDD for eligible active-duty members, retirees, and their families. Prior authorization typically required.

VA Community Care Network

Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare may access treatment through the CCN. We are an in-network VA CCN provider.

Auto accident PIP

If depression or cognitive symptoms followed a motor vehicle accident, Michigan PIP insurance may cover treatment.

Private pay

Private pay is accepted at both locations. Contact care team for a clear picture of costs before you begin.

Dr. Ramona Wallace, DO

Dr. Ramona Wallace, DO

Chief Medical Officer · Functional Medicine Physician

Dr. Wallace oversees all clinical protocols at Brain Treatment Center Michigan. Her functional medicine background means treatment addresses root-cause neurological and systemic factors — not just symptoms.

View full profile →
JW

Dr. Jennifer A. Wood, MD

Psychiatrist · Adult & Pediatric · 20+ Years Experience

Dr. Wood conducts intake evaluation with our psychiatrists as part of the intake process, including diagnosis of MDD, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring conditions. Her evaluation is the foundation for insurance authorization and treatment planning.

View full profile →
Common questions

What patients ask before they start

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is generally defined as depression that has not responded adequately to at least one antidepressant trial at an adequate dose and duration. Many insurance plans use this definition to authorize TMS coverage. If you've tried one or more antidepressants without sufficient improvement, you may qualify.

Do I have to stop taking my current medication?

Not necessarily. MeRT can often be used alongside existing medications. Dr. Wood will review your current regimen during the intake evaluation with our psychiatrist and advise on any adjustments that may be beneficial.

How is MeRT different from standard TMS for depression?

Standard TMS uses a fixed protocol that is the same for every patient. MeRT begins with a quantitative EEG to map your specific brainwave patterns, then builds a protocol around those findings. The EEG is repeated during treatment so the protocol can be adjusted as your brain responds — standard TMS does not do this.

How long does treatment take?

A standard MeRT course runs approximately six weeks — five days a week, Monday through Friday. Each session is 30–45 minutes. The EEG is repeated at weeks two, four, and six.

Does insurance cover MeRT for depression?

FDA-cleared TMS is covered by many insurance plans for treatment-resistant depression, including TRICARE and VA Community Care Network. Coverage depends on your specific plan and clinical criteria. Our team verifies benefits for every patient before treatment begins — contact care team to start that process.

MeRT technology as featured in

Wall Street JournalWashington PostThe DoctorsNBC SportsDefense OneUS Air Force

Want to know what this costs and whether insurance applies to your situation? See cost & insurance details →

Get started

Schedule a no-cost introductory call

We currently have limited new patient availability at both locations. Our care team will reach out within one business day — no commitment required — just a conversation about your situation and whether MeRT may be right for you.

If you have insurance questions, care team can begin a benefits verification at the same time.

Call (269) 430-7966 — ask for our care team
info@braintreatmentusa.com
Metro Detroit (Sterling Heights) & Grand Rapids

Send us a message

Please do not include detailed medical information in this form. A coordinator will contact you to discuss your situation through appropriate channels.

If we miss your call, we will try you twice more before the end of the next business day. We typically respond within one business day. Your information is never shared.

What happens next:

1. Our care team calls you within one business day
2. They answer your questions and check insurance if applicable
3. If it's a fit, they schedule your evaluation — no obligation at any step.

Ready to try a different approach to depression?

Request Consultation