Brain Treatment Center of Dallas

Dr. Spencer Miller MD

woman with treatment-resistant depression with head in hands

MeRT for Treatment‑Resistant Depression in Dallas

A Personalized, Brain-Based Approach to Healing When Medication Isn’t Enough

Contact Us for help with your depression

Treatment-Resistant Depression can feel like a never-ending battle.

If you’ve been struggling with depression that won’t lift, despite trying multiple medications or therapies, you may have treatment-resistant depression (TRD). And you’re far from alone. Research shows that up to one-third of people with depression don’t respond to standard treatment.

At Brain Treatment Center Dallas, we offer MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that uses qEEG brain mapping to guide magnetic stimulation protocols.

MeRT incorporates repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), an FDA-cleared technology for TRD, but takes it one step further by personalizing each protocol to your brain’s unique electrical activity.

What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is typically diagnosed when a person has tried two or more antidepressants without significant relief. Symptoms may persist or worsen over time, including:

  • Persistent sadness or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in daily life
  • Fatigue or sleep issues
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

What Causes Treatment-Resistant Depression?

There’s no single cause of TRD, but it often involves a combination of:

  • Neurological dysregulation (abnormal brainwave activity)
  • Chronic stress or trauma
  • Genetic differences in how people respond to medication
  • Underlying inflammation or hormonal imbalance

Traditional treatment doesn’t always address these root causes.

Why rTMS Matters, and How MeRT Goes Further

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a well-established treatment for TRD. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region crucial for mood regulation.

In a major study published in September 2024 in JAMA Psychiatry, patients with TRD who received rTMS showed significantly better outcomes than those who switched medications:

  • Response Rates: 37.5% of patients responded to rTMS, compared to just 14.6% who improved after switching antidepressants.
  • Remission Rates: 27.1% of patients achieved remission with rTMS, while only 4.9% did so with antidepressants.
  • Additional Benefits: rTMS was especially effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety and anhedonia (loss of pleasure), offering a more comprehensive improvement in mental health.

This study offers renewed hope for those who feel they’ve run out of options. Yet, while rTMS works for many, standard protocols don’t account for differences between individual brains. That’s where MeRT comes in.

MeRT: The Next Evolution for Treatment-Resistant Depression

MeRT combines the proven science of rTMS with the precision of EEG-guided brain analysis.

Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all protocol, MeRT uses qEEG (quantitative EEG) and EKG testing to identify areas of the brain that are not functioning or communicating optimally. From this data, we create a treatment plan that delivers magnetic stimulation where and when your brain needs it most.

In short:

  • rTMS provides the stimulation
  • qEEG provides the map
  • MeRT provides the personalization

This customized approach may lead to more effective and lasting relief, especially in people with complex or long-standing depression.

more on mert for depression

What Causes Treatment-Resistant Depression?

There’s no single cause of TRD, but it often involves a combination of:

  • Neurological dysregulation (abnormal brainwave activity)
  • Chronic stress or trauma
  • Genetic differences in how people respond to medication
  • Underlying inflammation or hormonal imbalance

Traditional treatment doesn’t always address these root causes. MeRT is designed to target them directly.

Why Choose Brain Treatment Center Dallas?

At Brain Treatment Center Dallas, we specialize in MeRT for treatment-resistant depression and have helped thousands of patients who felt like they were out of options.

  • Led by Dr. Spencer O. Miller, a board-certified neurologist with deep expertise in brain-based treatment
  • Over 130,000 MeRT treatments delivered across our network
  • Compassionate, patient-centered care that listens and adapts to your experience
  • Providing a calm, supportive environment for healing
  • One of the few clinics in the region offering MeRT with neurologist oversight

We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a protocol.

TRICARE May Cover Your Depression Treatment

At the Brain Treatment Center Dallas, we are proud to accept TRICARE insurance for depression treatment with rTMS. If you or a loved one has TRICARE coverage, your treatment may be fully or partially covered, making this innovative therapy more accessible than ever. Our team can help you:

  • Verify your benefits
  • Handle pre-authorizations
  • Explore self-pay options if needed

We understand the financial concerns many patients face when seeking advanced care, and our team is here to guide you through the insurance process to ensure you get the support you need.

more about tricare coverage

You’re Not Out of Options, Just Ready for a Better One

Treatment-resistant depression doesn’t mean you’re out of hope. At Brain Treatment Center Dallas, we offer a more precise and personalized approach to help your brain heal without medications and without guesswork.

Call us today to schedule a free phone consultation. Our New Patient Coordinator will take the time to listen and explain. She can answer most questions and discuss our protocols, scheduling, fees, and other information. If you have TRICARE insurance, she can help determine your coverage.

Take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

Contact our New Patient Coordinator

for more information. Or fill out the form below.

214-225-1657

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  • If you meet the above criteria, please provide us with more information so that we may contact you.

  • Absolute Contraindications

    Absolute contraindications for cortical MeRT treatment: Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Vagal Nerve Stimulator, VP Shunt/ Magnetic intracranial shunts, Deep Brain Stimulator, Epidural Cortical stimulator, Steel shunts/stents, Cranial metal fragments (i.e. shrapnel, excluding titanium), Cochlear implant, Aneurysm clips, coils, pipelines flow diversion, Pregnant or breastfeeding, Primary brain cancer / metastatic legions in brain (unless palliative care), Magnetic dental implants, Implanted cardio-verter defibrillators (ICD), Ocular implants, Suicide attempts.

  • Relative Contraindications

    Relative contraindications: These require closer protocol attention and may or may not disqualify someone from receiving cortical MeRT treatment, depending on the doctor’s discretion and the person’s individual condition. These include: History of Seizure or seizure disorder, Titanium shunts/stents, Spinal Cord Stimulator, Hearing aids, Ferrous cortical implants, Magnetic ink tattoo, Bipolar Disorder Type I/II, Baha Implant, Suicide ideation.