Testimonials

Hear it From a Mother…

I have been wanting to thank you and everyone in the office for the holiday greeting card that you sent. We really appreciate it. My daughter is doing great so far. She is doing well in all her classes and she joined a sports team in high school which she loves. Her mood has been great overall. She is very chatty, respects and appreciates us a lot more. Definitely a big change from last year. So thank you, Dr. Liker, and all the staff at your facility for helping our daughter. We are forever grateful.

19 Years Old, Suffering From Depression…her…

My family and I were looking into a depression treatment following a suicide attempt. I had tried both medication and therapy, but they did not help, and my psychiatrist recommended TMS. You were on the list of providers and we looked at the different facilities. We liked that BrainStim was run by a neurosurgeon, and we like how the treatment is EEG guided, tailored to the individual, not just a baseline uniform treatment for everyone. I also liked that if someone is going to put a magnet against my head to treat my brain, that it is monitored by a neurosurgeon who knows the brain’s functionality.

It is hard to describe the treatment. I felt a brief buzzing feeling on my forehead and a little pressure but is did not hurt and I got used to it quickly. The treatment process was long – every day for 5 days a week and we live over an hour away, but it was all worth it in the end. I noticed changes when I was able to work through negative and suicidal thought patterns. I was able to push those aside and continue with what I had to do throughout the day. I noticed about mid-way through treatment, but my parents noticed earlier.

At the beginning I did not notice anything changing, but my family did. One thing that was interesting was I started doing my make-up more, it’s fun. I want to make myself look fun and go out and see people. My family started seeing this first too. Staff was amazing, I loved everyone. Aleks was super cool and always talked with me. They were always happy to see my progress, made me feel welcome and I never felt that feeling, like as if I was unsure, I wanted to be there. I was always comfortable with them. 

Jakob with Sleep Issues for 6 Years, Now Resolved

 have been struggling with insomnia for the past 6 years. Most doctors have just prescribed me medications with horrible side effects. I then found Brainstim Centers. I received 36 treatments and I could not have imagined such improvement in my sleep. I went from averaging 4 hours of sleep a night to 8 hours a night after the treatment. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Special shout-out to Christy and Alex.

Ava’s Success Story

I recently sat down with a 14 year old patient and her mother, a pediatrician, to discuss the results of our specialized quantitative electro-encephalogram guided TMS treatment. Ava (name changed to protect privacy) had been struggling with Anxiety, ADHD and Depression for some time, with her symptoms increasing in severity over the past year and a half, progressively impacting her school work, mood, family life, and friendships.

Her mother Linda (name also changed to protect anonymity) shared that she had begun to suspect ADHD a few years back, but that since the pandemic began her daughter had become increasingly moody, not coming out of her room, her grades dropping, fights had escalated over homework, she was anxious, argumentative, and agitated in group settings with family, who walked on eggshells around her.

Linda sought treatment from a top pediatric neuropsychiatrist. Ava was indeed diagnosed with ADHD, Anxiety and Depression, and prescribed medication. Linda believes medication can be very helpful, and was willing to try it, but being a pediatrician who interacts with children all day, she has concerns about the long-term effects of medication dependency with children. She observed Ava over time and said, “She looked like a zombie.”

At her wit’s end, she began investigating alternative medical options. She knew of Dr Liker, knows he is well respected, and had heard that he works with children, so she began to look in to research on TMS for children, and although sparse, the research Linda found was all positive. “There was not much research out there about the treatment for ADHD and Anxiety for children, and I was initially quite cautious, but the more I researched, I realized the research was actually quite promising, I could not find a downside, there seemed to be no negative side effects.”

Feeling as if she was losing her daughter, desperate to try something different, she brought Ava in to see us. She noticed within the first few treatments, Ava was happier, talkative, less angry and by week three there was an enormous difference in her personality. She did not get annoyed as she had been, she was easygoing, and seemed worlds happier. It was a day and night difference!

Linda tried to pace her excitement. Ava had asked to return to school and Linda watched to see if her new found improvements would continue in the school setting. She is delighted to say they did! Ava is better in group settings, not instigating arguments with others, and the family has stopped walking on eggshells around her. Linda said, “I really was not sure, but it is amazing to see the change! Why take medication if you can get this done? I am so grateful. There were no side effects and our house is so much more peaceful.” She feels grateful to have her daughter back.

We also sat down with Ava on her own to understand her personal experience with us, which is so important to hear in her own words:

Sonja: Hi Ava, how are you? I’m calling to see how things went with TMS.

Ava: It’s honestly really crazy, because it worked!

Sonja: Really? tell me about your experience.

Ava: I catch myself focusing, and I am like, “Wait a minute!” I’m daydreaming a normal amount of time. I am a master day dreamer, but now, I am more focused. My teachers are speaking words and not jumbled nonsense! It is really nice because I can listen to my friends and be respectful of my friends and focus on what they are saying. I am a better friend.

Sonja: That’s wonderful! Can you think of anything else that has changed?

Ava: I can stay interested instead of randomly hyper-fixating in the moment on one thing or another.

Sonja: That makes me very happy to hear. How did you learn about us?

Ava: Through my parents’ medical circle.

Sonja: What were the symptoms that provoked you and your family to seek treatment?

Ava: I was always anxious for no reason at all, that is completely gone now. I used to day dream all of the time, but that has stopped. Also, I don’t have these massive mood swings, they are just gone.

Sonja: How were these symptoms impacting your life?

Ava: It got to the point that I was failing all of my classes, and I just didn’t care.

Sonja: Has that changed?

Ava (laughs): My grades have SKYROCKETED!

Sonja: Great, tell me how were the actual treatments? How did you feel in the office?

Ava: I enjoyed them. They made me tired, I was able to go in my own world and zone out and relax, it felt totally comfortable. I was just a little tired.

Sonja: Were you comfortable with the people treating you?

Ava: Staff are the greatest people I have ever met! Really, everyone was so nice!

Sonja: What would you say to anyone thinking about doing TMS, maybe to another kid considering it?

Ava: If you can do it, go for it!

TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is believed to work by repairing critical pathways in the brain, increasing brain connections and thus improving a variety of “mental blockages” that limit brain function due to such ailments as PTSD, OCD, ADD and ADHD, post-Covid brain syndrome, autism, anxiety and depression.

Just as every person is different, every brain is different as well, so defining the limitation in brain circuitry provides the first step to reaching improved brain function through a personalized and tailored approach. qEEG guided TMS therapy is highly specialized and unique, this process stimulates specific areas of the brain cortex to facilitate improved brain circuitry and therefore improve function.

The circuits in the brain that regulate mood are mostly connected with the prefrontal cortex. By delivering gentle magnetic pulses in a non-invasive way to certain specific surface regions of the brain, certain pathways are activated. As the individual progresses through treatments, the ongoing stimulation may gradually help the brain form reinforce healthier neural pathways. qEEG guided TMS is an excellent option for those who seek to optimize their brain health and may suffer from Anxiety, ADD, ADHD, Autism, Depression, OCD, Insomnia and other mental health concerns. TMS is gentle and children respond very well.

Interview With our Patient Nikki

For the first time in many years (and with the observation of a psychiatrist) I am finally off of medication. I have to say that I have never in my life ever had anyone or any group of people advocate for me as well.  I felt like you really did care about and for me. I know for a fact that you all worked like crazy to get me this treatment! I am eternally grateful to you and to the BrainStim Centers team. I will never forget what you did for me.

As a child, I had a very dysfunctional and difficult upbringing. This has resulted in having several different mental health challenges. The one common denominator within all of my challenges is major depression. After receiving several treatments, maybe somewhere around four weeks, I started noticing a difference in my overall attitude. It’s hard to explain, but if you are someone that does or has ever experienced severe depression, you know what a game changer this truly is.

After about the first two weeks of my treatment, I noticed that I felt so much “lighter”. You could say that depression is like a constant storm cloud above your head that’s always there raging, following you everywhere you go and only you. I can honestly tell you that the cloud is gone completely!

Before treatment I hardly ever even got out of my bed. I hardly went anywhere or did anything unless I absolutely had to. When I did, I did the absolute bare minimum. In fact, most of my life, I hardly ever wore make up, and showering, brushing my teeth?! Forget about it. When I’m depressed, nothing matters. I don’t do even the slightest things I should do just to take care of myself. Now, I get up out of bed every morning, thankful and feeling blessed for another day. If I go out, I shower and put make up on! I can honestly say without a doubt, that I have never felt so good since I was a teenager!

I would first like to say that if there is anyone out there that experiences any of the things I have mentioned here, that dealing with depression really stifles your life. When / if you can remove this obstacle, this allows you to be able to focus on other aspects of mental health challenges. For myself, I now can say that not being depressed all the time, I have the energy, motivation and care to now actually have the ability to dig deeper into healing my other challenges without it feeling like it is such an unattainable, monumental and overwhelming task! In fact, I’m now going to be traveling on my own soon out of state, to attend a four-day women’s retreat and continue my healing journey.

I would also like to add that I do still have days where I maybe feel a little down or overwhelmed by just daily life happenings. But it’s not depression. I can tell the difference, and it’s easier for me to move through these challenges without literally bringing me down.

Another wonderful thing I’ve been able to do now is spend more quality time with my husband doing all of the things we love. He has been talking nonstop about the changes he has seen in me and how much he is so proud of me. He is my biggest support and cheerleader.

I would also like to add that Dr. Liker and the whole team at BrainStim Centers, you, Sonia, Joella, Aleks, and Crystal, are the nicest, most wonderful group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with! Seeing all of you every day for several weeks was really the only contact I’ve had with anyone outside of my home. I feel as though I added new people to my family and I’m actually missing seeing you all every day and talking with you and sharing my life. Not only did I receive treatment for my medication resistant depression that worked, I made new lifelong connections with a group of amazing people. It doesn’t get any better than that.

I would just like to end by saying thank you to Dr. Liker and BrainStim Centers, and all of you, the staff! You have changed my life for the better forever! 

Video Testimonials

Three Video Testimonials that Explain How TMS/Magventure Technology Turned Their Lives Around After Treatment for Depression:

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Jakob – Addressing Insomnia

I have been struggling with insomnia for the past 6 years. Most doctors have just prescribed me medications with horrible side effects. I then found Brainstim Centers. I received 36 treatments and I could not have imagined such improvement in my sleep. I went from averaging 4 hours of sleep a night to 8 hours a night after the treatment. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Special shout-out to Christy and Alex. 

Sports Recovery, Treatment for Multiple TBIs

I was offered the opportunity to receive MeRT to help with the effects of the TBI’s I had endured over the 21 yrs of Military Service. I am absolutely glad I did so. I felt the positive effects of the treatment in the first 3 days. I had irritability issues, although California Traffic will do that to you, and sleeping issues among other things. I started sleeping through the night on day 3. And not just sleeping but sleeping hard and dreaming. So I know I was in R.E.M sleep. It has helped me focus, feel more energetic, less irritable, more caring to others and helped with joint pain and tinnitus. The staff is also very amazing and extremely professional. I highly recommend the BTC. Trust the process and you’ll have the same results as I did.” – Veteran 

I’m back!  My TBI turned me into someone I barely recognized.  I was depressed, mean, and short-tempered.  I pushed through life filled with frustration and a deep sense of sadness that this was it.  I just had to keep pushing through life with an overwhelming tiredness.  I’m so glad I was wrong.  I think my direct reports and family are even more thankful.  This treatment changed everything, and I am forever thankful.” – 41-year old male with TBI, Executive, Nov 2017 

Tait Fletcher, Actor and Stunt Performer, Discusses the Difference that MeRT Made in His Life After He Suffered Multiple Concussions:

I’d just always ‘outworked’ it. After the last concussion, that wasn’t an option, even though I had previously walked off a dozen concussions. It’s vital to know that not all TBIs result in massive concussions, but they all add to the erosion of the mind and self, if untreated.

Through EEG, MeRT, and some subtle sleep and attention shifts, I’ve had a radical, nourishing, strengthening, and dare I say, “healing,” that has brought me to see life through a filter I’ve never known was available.

Giving life a chance is sometimes just staying in “the Try.” If you are damaged, confused, and at the end, know that you have allies that you’ve never met before.” – Tait Fletcher 

Treatment for Depression

I felt like I was alone even though I was surrounded by love and care. It was just a cloud that would linger over my life every now and again. This helped me better understand what was going on in my head and after a month of treatment I was grateful to be depression free and medication free for the first time in my life.” 

For anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, and other symptoms, I highly recommend trying MeRT. My adult son who has suffered from both problems his entire life, and has been on medication, realized a positive change after the first visit. We saw dramatic improvement after each visit.  This technology is truly a magic bullet for the right candidate. The staff is professional and friendly. The facilities are equally professional. I would highly recommend.” – Harold H. 

I recently finished my treatments and so far, I have seen some improvement with my depression. My experience was superb and the personnel at BrainStim are exceptional. Everything is explained thoroughly from beginning to end. The office is very comfortable and I was always welcomed with a smile. I strongly recommend BrainStim!” – Bill R. 

Treatment for Addiction:

Oh my GOD! These people are so AWESOME!  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your help with TMS/MeRT for my PTSD symptoms!  Refiring those frontal lobe neurons had me reading 10 novels in 6 months! I’ve NEVER read that many in ALL my prior life! The confusion, distraction and memory issue was greatly reduced.  The treatment does wonders. And whatever you did last time had an unexpected, incredibly wonderful effect. Besides helping with my sciatic, shoulder and leg pains, I STOPPED TAKING OXYCODONE A WEEK AFTER, COLD TURKEY, unexpectedly AND WITH ZERO 000 WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS! IT WAS LIKE I’D NEVER TAKEN THEM but the truth is that I did for at least a decade prior. It was Vicodin for the decade prior to that. Now, while I do have some pains, I take NO OPIODS! I manage with ibuprofen, and Tylenol. This is worth every penny. THANK YOU! You guys n gals ROCK!!” – EP 

Treatment for Severe Sleep Conditions:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia — I’ve had these for over 20 years with severe cognitive deficits and pain that forced me into retirement at age 45. The clinic determined my problem at this point is extremely disordered sleep, which I had thought of as another symptom rather than a cause. After 7 weeks of treatment last August and September, my sleep began to improve. The fibro pain is completely gone, my memory is better and I’m getting my life back. Of course, I have to do my part to continue to go in the right direction, and yes, it costs money. BUT if this had been available 20 years ago, it still would have been much less costly than 20 years of lost wages and having to drop out of so much of life. Anyone who is struggling with CFS and Fibro should SERIOUSLY consider at least a consultation. I gave up hope a long time ago of ever getting better. I was wrong and the next 20 years are looking so much better than the last. Make the call. Spend the money. You are worth every penny.” – CJS 

My anxiety during the day has improved, now being awake I have moments of tremendous peace of mind. At night, I’m sleeping in straight and really waking up rested. I recommend you visit them and start with * Electroencephalogram * and from there they will explain the current state of their brain, great scientific treatment!” – MdC 

After Returning From Iraq, Sgt. Jon Warren Struggled with PTSD and Sought Various Forms of Treatment to Improve His Mental Health to no Avail. Then He Found the Brain Treatment Center.

tms therapy for depression in valencia ca

A guy who was making a film who was filming documentaries got a hold of me after reading that article and said you need to come check out what’s happening at the Center. They’ve been doing some amazing things with autistic children and several of them have gone back to being neuro-typical. You might want to come see what they are doing with PTSD. They just started taking veterans in and helping them with their symptoms.

When I came in there, I was a mess. I was terrified of not getting better, of trying yet another very hopeful procedure that was going to let me down. So I sat down and had my EEG and I remember waiting for the doctor to interpret it and thinking what if this thing comes back normal, then what, and where do I go from here. That was scary. But as soon as he pulled it up, he said, “Woah, it looks like your frontal cortex is sleeping right now,” and he started describing to me a lot of my symptoms that they could tell, just by the loss of synchronicity that was in my brain, and the neurons that weren’t working in my favor, that they could tell that I was impulsive, that I would have a substance abuse issue, that I wasn’t sleeping, that I was depressed, that it was difficult for me to concentrate, and the list goes on. But they were just very accurate in describing situations that would play out in my life.

What they were going to use was magnetic stimulation to basically tune my brain back up, to get my frequencies right in my head and to allow my brain to communicate with itself, and all I had to do was to get some sunlight in the morning and I get to bed at night. I slept great the very first night, I slept for about 10 hours. I was really excited about that and I didn’t notice that much for about two weeks. I sat down to have a drink with a buddy and I we usually went to drink a handle of rum together. After the first cocktail, he went to pour another one and I just told him I’m okay right now, which was shocking even to me, because that wasn’t my norm. I was usually very anxious and needed to calm down somehow. But in this particular instance, I felt really good. I wanted to test that, that relief of anxiety and that peace that I felt because I was sitting across from my best friend and thought, maybe this was a fluke.

But the next day I went to the Center and instead of leaving after my 30-minute treatment, I decided to stick around for another 30 minutes, and in doing so, I realized that I was able to be in connection with people. I sat down and I was calm and present and centered for the first time. I was actually able to hear people speaking and my mind wasn’t racing. I was able to keep track of the conversation that was happening and give feedback and contribute to the conversation. I actually enjoyed it, I felt connected and it was very addicting to me and I wanted more of that feeling. So I just started hanging around more and more, especially with the veterans. I felt very close and known with them and when I was surrounded with them, and it was freeing. I just felt like I have got to come out more and more of my shell and stop isolating and I was getting back to who I was before, which was an outgoing social, friendly, life-of-the-party kind of guy.
See a video of Jon’s talk here.

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