Brian S. is an Army Veteran, third-generation Infantryman and Green Beret, devoted husband, and father of four. For as long as he can remember, restless energy has been part of his story. Diagnosed with ADHD at just four years old, Brian spent his childhood wrestling with focus, discipline, and the heavy shadows of anxiety and depression.
By 16, Brian was already answering emergency calls as a rural firefighter in North Carolina. The intensity of this job hit hard, but his commitment only grew stronger. Four and a half years later, he started Army basic training, determined to follow his family’s tradition of military service.
For 20 years, Brian thrived in the Army, spending 16 years in the Special Forces, and serving nearly four years in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the outside, he was the picture of resilience and grit. Inside, he was always on high alert, managing stress, hypervigilance, and the invisible wounds of the trauma he experienced while serving.
A new battle
When Brian retired in 2020, civilian life brought its own set of hurdles. ADHD, multiple traumatic brain injuries, and relentless anxiety made it tough to focus or move forward. Even with new self-care skills from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, his mind couldn’t stand down. He was stuck in survival mode.
Still, Brian didn’t quit. He threw himself into new roles, including private security, firefighting, and studying to become an emergency medical technician. Although he appeared to be making progress, his depression deepened, and sleep became a rare luxury.
“I kept replaying old failures and worrying about what might go wrong next,” Brian said. “It dragged me down and made it impossible to be present.” His wife noticed too. It was the wake-up call he needed. Healing alone wasn’t enough.
The turning point
Brian always saw his mind as a puzzle. There were pieces scattered everywhere, no clear image in sight. “I was tired of trying to hold it all together,” he said. “I wanted to build something better.”
That’s when Brian discovered the Family Care Center Franklin clinic in Tennessee. He realized he didn’t have to fix everything at once. With Doug—his therapist and a fellow retired firefighter—Brian finally felt truly understood. There was no need to explain every emotion; Doug had lived it, too. That shared experience opened the door to real healing.
Brian made meaningful progress in counseling, but the weight of depression still lingered. After seven months, Doug recommended transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as an additional tool. He explained how gentle magnetic pulses in TMS treatment could help reawaken parts of the brain affected by depression. Brian’s trust in Doug made it easier to take this next step.
In June 2025, Brian started accelerated TMS. The team mapped out his TMS treatment, explained every detail, and answered every question. He felt safe, respected, and ready to fight for himself.
“They gave me knowledge and power,” Brian said. “With their support, I started to rebuild myself one piece at a time. I realized I didn’t have to figure it all out at once. I just needed a place to start.”
A clear shift
After completing his accelerated TMS treatment in just three weeks, Brian returned to work and took his family on the most restful vacation he’s had in years. That’s when it clicked.
“My routines and self-control finally snapped into place. I felt steady and balanced. For the first time in years, I could handle stress without losing control.”
Before TMS, Brian felt like a beaker filled to the brim, one drop away from overflowing. Now, he considers his beaker to be at 40 percent. He can manage the hard stuff without falling apart. His anxiety faded. So did depression. “My depression came from impossible standards,” he shared. “Once my anxiety dropped, I could see life more clearly.”
Life after TMS treatment
Today, Brian is present with his family, at work, and in his own life. He enjoys showing up for family nights, staying focused on what’s in front of him, and making memories with his kids.
“TMS treatment brought me to a place where I can let go of the past and find peace about the future. I used to be wound up tight. Now I’m calm and deliberate.”
For Brian, TMS wasn’t a quick fix but a turning point. “TMS helped me function. Therapy gave me the tools to live well. TMS organized those tools so I could finally use them.”
Brian still sees Doug to stay on track. He credits Doug, along with his psychiatrist Dr. Leong, and his TMS techs Deanna and Kelli, with helping him become a healthier, stronger version of himself.
Brian’s advice: don’t wait
“It may seem like a big commitment, but it’s worth it. If I’d known what I know now, I would have done TMS years ago. Find a way to make it happen. You won’t regret it.”
Ready to learn more about TMS? Schedule a consultation, and see if TMS is the right fit for you.
