For many patients, brain stimulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is considered a last resort for treating depression. However, Dr. Ankur Bindal, founder of KAB Medical Group (KMG Psychiatry), has made TMS a central part of his practice’s clinical work, showing how brain stimulation can fit into psychiatric care alongside medication management and counseling.
Medication management and counseling have long been central to depression care, but when they do not provide enough relief, treatments like TMS may offer another option. Patients may be hesitant to consider TMS due to a lack of understanding, but offering it within a psychiatric practice allows them to ask questions and determine if it’s right for them.
How TMS Works
TMS employs magnetic pulses to activate brain cells in regions responsible for mood control. This non-invasive method offers hope to those with depression that hasn’t responded adequately to other therapies. It requires no surgery or anesthesia, allowing patients to resume normal activities post-session.
Patients undergo multiple sessions, necessitating regular clinic visits. Another treatment, intranasal esketamine (Spravato), is available for adults with resistant depression, administered under supervision. Combining TMS, Spravato, medication, and counseling provides clinicians with more tools to address persistent depressive symptoms.
Dr. Ankur Bindal’s Work
Dr. Ankur Bindal established KMG Psychiatry in 2016, leading it until 2025 with offices in San Diego and Los Angeles. His leadership transformed KMG into a leading TMS provider, treating diverse patients including former NFL players and international clients. He earned the Diamond Circle Provider title for high-volume TMS services.
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In 2023, Dr. Bindal received leadership and corporate awards from Health Conference 2.0. His efforts focused on expanding access to depression treatment, particularly for underserved populations who often face limited options.
Making Depression Treatment More Accessible
Cost can be a significant barrier to accessing TMS and other depression treatments. At KMG Psychiatry, Dr. Bindal made TMS available to underserved patients, giving people who might otherwise have had fewer options a chance to receive treatment. Patients also need to understand what treatment involves, including why a clinician might recommend TMS and what happens during a session.
Dr. Bindal has spoken at national and regional conferences and participated in panel discussions about mental health care, aiming to address mental health myths and stigma. He has also written about managing seasonal depression as a business leader and improving sleep habits, and was featured in Time sharing sleep doctors’ best advice.
Dr. Bindal’s background includes sleep medicine, having completed his fellowship training in the University of Michigan’s Department of Neurology and earned board certification in sleep medicine. His research collaborations have examined how sleep affects the brain and body, including studies on early-life REM deprivation and its effects on late-onset depression.
Expanding Options for Depression Care
Discussing these options with a clinician can help patients decide what to try next. Dr. Bindal is currently the president and co-founder of Aroga Group, continuing his work in psychiatry and sleep medicine. His efforts have helped to expand options for depression care, making treatments like TMS more accessible to those who need them.
