Nocatee Gains New Mental Health Option with Advanced TMS Therapy

NOCATEE, FL – January 12, 2026 – As the demand for diverse mental health solutions grows, Serenity Mental Health Centers announced today an expansion of its Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) services for residents of Nocatee and the surrounding areas. The move aims to increase local access to advanced, non-medication treatments for conditions like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Serenity, a rapidly growing national provider of psychiatric care, offers a spectrum of services from medication management to innovative therapies. The expansion in Nocatee underscores a commitment to providing localized care within a national framework.

“As Serenity continues to grow nationwide, our focus remains on delivering exceptional care at the local level,” said Tricia Pease, COO and co-founder of Serenity Mental Health Centers, in a statement. “The expansion of TMS services reinforces our mission to provide Nocatee residents with access to one of the best TMS clinics.”

Addressing a Critical Need in a Growing Community

The expansion arrives at a crucial time for Nocatee, one of Florida's fastest-growing master-planned communities. With a population that surged past 25,000 in 2023 and is projected to exceed 35,000 by 2025, the demand for accessible healthcare infrastructure, including mental health services, has intensified. St. Johns County has already identified mental health as a significant community concern, and the state of Florida has historically struggled with providing adequate access to care. A 2022 Mental Health America report ranked Florida 49th out of 51 states and districts for access to mental healthcare, highlighting a statewide gap between the prevalence of mental illness and the availability of treatment.

While traditional counseling and therapy are available in the area, the introduction and expansion of specialized treatments like TMS fill a specific niche. For patients who have not found relief through conventional methods like antidepressant medications, or for those seeking non-systemic options, the availability of local, advanced therapies represents a significant step forward. Serenity’s model, which includes flexible scheduling and the possibility of same-day appointments, is designed to lower the barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking or continuing care.

The Science of Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is not a new experimental procedure; it is an FDA-approved, non-invasive treatment that has been in use since 2008 for major depressive disorder. The therapy uses focused magnetic pulses, similar in strength to those used in an MRI machine, to stimulate nerve cells in a specific region of the brain—the prefrontal cortex—which is known to be underactive in individuals with depression. The treatment does not require anesthesia, and patients can drive themselves to and from appointments and resume normal activities immediately afterward.

Independent research has validated its effectiveness. Studies from institutions like the Mayo Clinic have shown promising results, with one study on adolescents with depression observing that nearly 60% of participants experienced a significant reduction in symptoms, and over 36% achieved remission after completing a course of treatment. These figures provide important context for the high success rates reported by providers like Serenity, which claims an 84% response rate and a 78% remission rate among its TMS patients.

Beyond depression, the FDA has also approved TMS for treating OCD and for smoking cessation. Its safety profile is a major draw for many patients. Unlike medications that circulate throughout the body and can cause side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, or cognitive fog, the side effects of TMS are typically mild, localized, and temporary. The most common complaints are scalp discomfort or headaches during or shortly after the session, which tend to diminish over the course of the treatment. The targeted nature of the magnetic pulses, which penetrate only about two to three centimeters into the brain, ensures the stimulation is confined to the intended area.

A National Strategy with a Local Impact

Serenity's expansion in Nocatee is part of a much larger national growth strategy. Founded in 2017, the company has rapidly expanded to 35 locations across the country, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving mental healthcare landscape. This growth reflects a broader trend in the United States, where there is increasing interest and investment in scalable mental health solutions. The behavioral health sector has become a priority for investors looking to consolidate and expand services to meet overwhelming demand.

By establishing a physical presence in communities like Nocatee, Serenity combines the resources of a national network with the accessibility of a local clinic. This approach allows them to offer specialized treatments like TMS and ketamine infusion therapy, which require specific equipment and trained personnel that may be beyond the scope of smaller, independent practices.

Patient accessibility is a cornerstone of the company’s model. A recent partnership with Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida), effective January 6, 2026, dramatically broadens in-network access for a significant portion of the state's population. This move is critical, as navigating insurance coverage can be a major hurdle for patients seeking advanced therapies. While TMS is covered by most major insurance providers for treatment-resistant depression, clear in-network agreements simplify the process for patients and providers alike.

Navigating the Regional Healthcare Landscape

Serenity is not the only provider of advanced mental health treatments in the greater Jacksonville area. Several other clinics, including Greenbrook Mental Wellness Centers, Altitude Health, and Beaches TMS & Brain Health, also offer TMS therapy. Others provide ketamine infusions and the esketamine nasal spray, Spravato. This competitive environment gives patients choices, but Serenity's specific location within Nocatee is a strategic advantage, offering convenience to residents who might otherwise have to travel to Jacksonville for similar care.

Patient experiences, aggregated from online reviews across various locations, often praise the staff for their compassion and professionalism. Many individuals report life-changing improvements in their conditions. However, as with any rapidly growing healthcare network, some patients have reported challenges with billing and appointment scheduling. These experiences underscore the operational complexities of scaling patient care while maintaining a high standard of service.

Ultimately, the expansion of TMS services in Nocatee reflects a positive trend toward a more diverse and accessible mental healthcare system. For residents of the burgeoning community, it means another evidence-based option is now close to home, offering hope for those navigating the difficult path of treatment-resistant mental health conditions.