Mental Health Care – For Everyone

After going through a painful divorce in 2019, I felt like I completely lost myself. I became isolated, developed social anxiety, and started avoiding emotional closeness with people. I pulled away whenever I felt like someone was getting too close. But in the middle of all that mess, I met someone amazing who was going through a divorce too. We supported each other, became close friends, and—unexpectedly—fell in love.

A couple years later, things took a turn when my ex took me back to court for more child support. That’s when everything started spiraling. My depression and anxiety worsened dramatically. I tried multiple medications, hoping for relief, but instead, I got worse—some made me suicidal, others left me bedridden, numb, or stuck in a dark, hopeless place. I even had serotonin syndrome at one point and ended up in urgent care and the ER. It felt like my life was on a rollercoaster, and every new medication came with more risk than relief. I even tried gene testing to find the right meds—it didn’t help.

Then one day, I got an email from Gladstone Psychiatry about TMS therapy for depression and OCD, and I figured—what do I have to lose? I didn’t know what TMS was, but I was desperate. I reached out, went through the pre-screening, and was told I qualified. It would be five days a week for six weeks—but I was ready. I just wanted to feel normal again.

From the very first week of treatment, I started noticing changes. I felt a little lighter. My brain fog started lifting. I also have ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), which has deeply affected my relationship—but even that started to feel more manageable.

And I need to give special thanks to Lesa, my TMS technician. She went way beyond the clinical side of her job. She didn’t just record my mood scores—she listened. She truly cared. Every session, she made me feel safe, seen, and supported—like a friend, not just a patient. Akeera was just as welcoming and kind. That human connection meant everything, especially on the hard days when I was still dealing with heavy personal stress.

Even during tough moments in my personal life, my TMS progress kept climbing. My mood improved. My thinking became clearer. I stopped overthinking everything. I felt like I was regaining confidence, gaining control over my emotions, and reconnecting with myself. Even coworkers noticed the shift in me. I was no longer being dragged down by the weight of my mind. I was finally standing up for myself, thinking clearly, and—for the first time in years—functioning.

Now that my treatment is done, I can say without hesitation: TMS at Gladstone Psychiatry changed my life. Things that used to make me spiral don’t anymore. I’m calmer. More present. I feel hope again—real, solid hope. And that all started with replying to one email.

If you’re struggling, especially if medications haven’t worked for you, please reach out to Gladstone located in Mount Washington Center. TMS gave me my life back—and I’ll always be grateful to Lesa and the team for helping me through when I truly thought nothing could.

Thank you for giving me hope again.

Dr. Merti is fantastic and really tries to look at the whole picture to treat me.

Dr. Juerling is awesome. She was very thorough and addressed all my concerns.

Dr Elise El-Nahal Turner has helped me feel comfortable and supported as a transgender person and is an affirming provider. Has also helped me with meds in a way no one else has before and in treating the correct diagnosis.

Love Brittany Ullman. Always so helpful and makes sure I am aware and educated on any symptoms and medications.

Linh Register is an incredible provider; she and Mandy work together very nicely as a treatment team.

Dr. Coleen S. has been absolutely incredible from the first day I met with her. She has single-handedly been the best experience I have had with any medical professional in any field, hands-down.

Christie is the best therapist I’ve ever had. It has taken me years to find her, and she has made a tremendous positive impact on my life. She goes out of her way to make me feel valued, heard, respected, and accepted, exactly as I am.

Joy Odinammadu has been the best provider I’ve had since being a patient at Gladstone. I’ve had two other previous providers and was dissatisfied with the level of care of those providers but not with Joy.  She’s the best. I love her.

We love Dr. Joseph! She is so quick to respond, has a great relationship with us, and has great rapport skills!

Dr. Sztein is wonderful. She is kind, listens, asks the right questions. If there is a subject that I need information on, she will email or print information for me to get educated. She feels genuinely interested in my child’s well-being.