Support for Anxiety Through Brain-Based Treatment

An Individualized, Non-Invasive Approach

Anxiety is often associated with changes in how the brain regulates stress and emotional responses. At Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, we use individualized, EEG-guided approaches to help identify patterns of brain activity that may contribute to anxiety symptoms and inform treatment planning.

Brain-Based Treatment Approaches for Anxiety

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach offers individualized, brain-based treatment options for patients experiencing anxiety.

One approach used at our clinic is MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy), an EEG-guided, non-invasive method designed to support how the brain regulates stress and emotional responses. MeRT incorporates diagnostic tools such as quantitative EEG data to help inform personalized treatment planning.

Anxiety is a common human experience, but for individuals with anxiety disorders, symptoms may be persistent, intense, and disruptive to daily life. When anxiety becomes chronic, it can interfere with sleep, concentration, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life.

By evaluating patterns of brain activity associated with anxiety, our team works to determine whether an individualized, brain-based approach may be appropriate as part of a comprehensive care plan.

woman with anxiety biting her fingernails

Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety symptoms can vary from person to person and may involve both physical and emotional responses. When anxiety is persistent or severe, it can interfere with daily functioning and overall well-being.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Muscle tension or restlessness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating or trembling
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Digestive discomfort or nausea
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Feelings of detachment or unease
  • Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety

Anxiety may present as generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, agoraphobia, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Anxiety can also occur alongside other mental health conditions such as depression or PTSD.

Treatment often includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle strategies. However, some individuals do not tolerate medication well or find that traditional approaches do not fully address their symptoms.

Call Our New Patient
Coordinator to Learn More

949-418-1108

Or fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will contact you 

When a Brain-Based Approach May Be Considered

For some individuals, anxiety symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes, therapy, or medication. In these cases, further evaluation of brain activity may provide additional insight.

At Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach, our clinicians use diagnostic tools such as quantitative EEG to assess patterns of brain activity that may be associated with chronic anxiety. This information helps determine whether an individualized, EEG-guided approach—such as MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy)—may be appropriate as part of a broader care plan.

Treatment decisions are based on clinical evaluation, diagnostic findings, and individual patient needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Calm person with an image of the brain in front

Individualized Evaluation

Every brain functions differently. For this reason, treatment planning at our clinic is individualized.

When appropriate, quantitative EEG data may be used to help identify patterns of brain activity associated with anxiety. This information allows clinicians to tailor treatment strategies based on individual findings rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Treatment sessions are non-invasive and medication-free. The specific approach used depends on clinical evaluation and diagnostic findings.

The equipment used in treatment is FDA-cleared. rTMS is FDA-approved for Major Depressive Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and is used off-label for other conditions, including anxiety.

Call Our New Patient
Coordinator to Learn More

949-418-1108

Or fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will contact you 

MeRT’s Effectiveness in the Treatment of Anxiety
Independent Research Studies

Transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of anxiety disorder:  “We observed, in general, that most of the studies found satisfactory results with the use of rTMS in Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety as comorbidity.

“In the studies on Anxiety Disorders, it was observed that three papers reported a sustained effect of response on the improvement of anxious symptoms, one paper reported improvement of symptoms, although this response did not sustain in the long term and one paper reported that there was no significant improvement.

“The papers on Anxious Symptoms showed that most of the studies obtained the sustained effect of response on the anxiety symptoms observed in 21 studies.” 

Transcranial magnetic stimulation in anxiety and trauma-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis:  “Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that TMS may be an effective treatment for GAD and PTSD.

We reviewed TMS as a treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD.

TMS presented large effect sizes as a treatment for PTSD and GAD.

Follow-up studies in GAD showed improvement of patients after TMS.”

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in Treatment Resistant Depression: Retrospective Data Analysis from Clinical Practice: 

“Baseline depression and anxiety scores were in the moderate to severe range (see Table 2).

There was a statistically significant improvement on all measures after the rTMS treatment, with small to medium effect sizes.

“The results show that rTMS significantly improved all measures of depression and anxiety. Response and remission rates for depression were 34.6% and 20.6% for the HAM-D; 10% and 28.6% for the PHQ-9; 31% and 31.8% for the CGI; and for anxiety they were and 24.6% and 28.8% (GAD-7). Effect sizes were medium, expect for PHQ-9 which was low. Reliable change analysis of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 indicated greater improvement in self-reported anxiety than depression.

The reliable change in anxiety was similar to that which has been achieved through a national programme of psychotherapy for moderate to severe anxiety ( Richards & Borglin, 2011; Griffiths & Griffiths, 2015). The study’s findings support published rTMS results showing a positive impact on depression and anxiety.”

Tricare coverage logo
Read more about Tricare Coverage

Service Members & TRICARE Coverage

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach is honored to serve uniformed service members, veterans, and their families.

We are in-network with TRICARE for FDA-approved rTMS therapy for Major Depressive Disorder. Coverage eligibility depends on diagnosis, medical necessity, and plan details.

MeRT is not covered by TRICARE. Our team can review options and help determine appropriate next steps based on individual circumstances.

Patient Stories

With the help of BTC and their staff I can attest to many benefits from MeRT. Over the previous 2 weeks of treatment I have noticed a significant change in sleep pattern. Less fragmented sleep has allowed for my anxiety and anger to drop, allowing me to focus on other functional areas of life. I have also noticed a significant increase in my ability to focus on everyday tasks. Without this treatment I would be lost, and for that, I truly am thankful. –   Victor M.

I did six weeks of therapy at the Brain Treatment Center. I started therapy with anxiety and depression due to traumatic brain injury. After two weeks I did not feel any better, but after the third week it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I started to have ah-ha moments, but it was about things I already knew. The therapy allowed me to clear my brain and concentrate on things. I was no longer spiralling about things that really didn’t matter but seemed real at the time.  Thank you BTC team. Thank you for my life back. – Sam B.

I just finished 6 weeks of their specialized form of TMS treatment [MeRT] and it is life changing. If your depression or anxiety have been resistant to medications, therapy or other forms of treatment, I highly recommend the Brain Treatment Center. – Mary Ann E.

Of all my injuries, by far the worst were the ones you could not see. I had degraded to the point of not being able to leave my home because of panic attacks and severe anxiety. I could not hide from this feeling, and no medication could numb it. I was living in despair and physical pain every day without reprieve, that is, until I was able to get treatment. I underwent neural restorative therapy for two months with total symptom resolution. I can function again at work, and can spend much needed time with my family. I have my sense of well-being back and a clarity of thought I haven’t had in many years.” – Travis C.

Next Steps

If you are experiencing persistent anxiety and would like to explore brain-based treatment options, our team is available to help you understand whether further evaluation may be appropriate.

Our New Patient Coordinator can answer questions, explain next steps, and assist with scheduling.

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 418-1108

Or fill out the form below, and we will contact you. 

Contact Us

For more information or to book a Consultation.

"*" indicates required fields

Please check that you understand the following:
What condition do you want to address?

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 lesions in brain (unless palliative care), Magnetic dental implants, Implanted cardio-verter defibrillators (ICD), Ocular implants.

Relative Contraindications

Relative contraindications 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.