When depression hasn’t responded there’s still a path forward.
If you’ve tried antidepressants and still don’t feel like yourself, you’re not out of options. Treatment-resistant depression is exactly what Wave specializes in.
What is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is major depression that hasn’t improved after two or more adequate trials of antidepressant medication. It’s common — and it does not mean your depression is untreatable. It means the standard approach wasn’t the right one for you.
Wave was built for these cases. Our interventional treatments work through different mechanisms than traditional antidepressants, reaching depression that pills alone haven’t touched.
TRD often feels like depression that won’t lift despite your best efforts. You may recognize:
Emotional
- Depression that persists after one or more medication trials
- Discouragement after “nothing works”
- Ongoing loss of interest, hope or motivation
Behavioral
- Cycling through medications with little lasting relief
- Side effects that outweigh the benefits
- Growing difficulty functioning at work or home
Physical
- Continued fatigue, sleep and appetite disruption
- Feeling “flat” or numb even while on medication
In crisis? If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, help is available right now. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night.
How it’s diagnosed at Wave
Diagnosing TRD means looking closely at your treatment history — which medications you’ve tried, at what doses, and for how long — to confirm each was an adequate trial. We also re-examine the original diagnosis, since conditions like bipolar disorder can masquerade as hard-to-treat depression.
Pharmacogenetic testing can reveal how your body metabolizes different medications, helping explain past failures and point toward what’s more likely to work.
This is the heart of what Wave does. For depression that hasn’t responded, we offer:
Every plan is individualized — you’ll feel seen, not processed.
TMS Therapy
Non-invasive magnetic stimulation — FDA-approved for depression and OCD — with no medication and no downtime.
Ketamine & Spravato
FDA-approved Spravato (esketamine) and ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, under close medical monitoring.
Interventional Psychiatry
Advanced, procedure-based care — TMS, Spravato and ketamine — for symptoms that medication alone hasn’t resolved.
Medication Management
Careful prescribing, ongoing monitoring and genetic testing to match you with the right medication at the right dose.
Supportive Psychotherapy
Talk-based support integrated with your medical care, focused on coping skills and steady, measurable progress.
Care led by a triple board-certified physician
Wave Treatment Centers is led by Dr. Jonathan Beatty, a triple board-certified physician in psychiatry & neurology, addiction medicine and pain medicine, and a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. With more than 18 years of experience, he treats the cases other practices send onward — including complex and treatment-resistant presentations.
Because Wave combines everyday psychiatric care with advanced, interventional options under one roof, your plan can evolve as you do — from medication management to TMS, Spravato or ketamine — without starting over with a new provider.
Meet Dr. BeattyYour first appointment
Your first visit is a thorough evaluation. You’ll find a welcoming environment where our highly trained staff work to understand your history, your symptoms, and what you’re hoping to change.
While an evaluation is not a guarantee of a prescription, if medication is deemed appropriate, we’ll work closely with you to ensure you understand the risks and benefits. Together we’ll outline a personalized plan and the next steps that fit your life.
Most new patients are seen within one to two weeks — and care is available both in person and through secure, HIPAA-compliant telemedicine across Pennsylvania, Florida and New Jersey.
Treatment-Resistant Depression FAQ
Does treatment-resistant depression ever get better?
Yes. Many people who didn’t respond to antidepressants do respond to interventional treatments like TMS and Spravato. “Treatment-resistant” describes the past, not your prognosis.
Is TMS or Spravato covered by insurance?
Most PPO plans cover TMS and Spravato for treatment-resistant depression once standard medications have been tried. Wave is out-of-network, so you pay us directly — but you can typically be reimbursed for a significant portion through your plan’s out-of-network benefits, and we’ll help you check and submit the claim.
How is TMS different from medication?
TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain regions involved in mood, rather than changing your body chemistry like a pill. It’s non-invasive, done in-office, and has no systemic side effects or downtime.
What is Spravato?
Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. It works rapidly through a different pathway than antidepressants, and is given in our office under medical monitoring.
Ready when you are.
Reaching out takes courage. Your conversation with us is confidential, compassionate, and pressure-free — schedule whenever you’re ready.
