Insights from Family Care Center CEO Dr. Chris Ivany via Behavioral Health Business (BHB)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is emerging as a leading treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, and a key pillar of modern interventional psychiatry. Family Care Center CEO Dr. Chris Ivany was recently featured in Behavioral Health Business’ BHB+ TALKS series, hosted by industry journalist Chris Larson. The conversation explored the evolving role of interventional psychiatry, the operational realities of delivering high‑quality TMS, and the organization’s rapid growth across multiple states.
For providers and leaders in outpatient mental health, the interview offered a behind-the-scenes look at how a large, clinically driven organization integrates TMS into a coordinated care model — and why that matters for both outcomes and sustainability.
Why TMS matters — and why it’s hard to do well
Dr. Ivany emphasized that while TMS represents a small percentage of Family Care Center’s total patient volume, it plays a critical role for individuals with treatment‑resistant depression. He discussed how the organization’s early investment in TMS — dating back to its founding by psychiatrist Dr. Charles “Chuck” Weber — allowed Family Care Center to build the infrastructure, training pathways, and clinical culture needed to deliver TMS at a high standard.
For providers, this means:
- Clear clinical pathways for identifying appropriate patients
- Strong coordination between therapy, medication management, and TMS
- Dedicated administrative support for payer authorization
- Rigorous use of patient-reported outcomes to guide care
The takeaway is simple: TMS is most effective when it’s part of a team‑based, integrated treatment plan — not a standalone service.
How a provider-centric model improves mental health outcomes
Larson and Ivany also discussed Family Care Center’s commitment to creating the best outpatient environment for therapists, prescribers, and TMS technicians. Dr. Ivany described how thoughtfully designed clinics, strong clinical leadership, and a culture of coordinated care help Family Care Center recruit and retain top providers — a critical differentiator in today’s competitive workforce landscape.
This provider‑centric approach ultimately benefits patients through:
- Better continuity of care
- More collaborative treatment planning
- Higher engagement and satisfaction
Growth, access, and the future of interventional psychiatry
The interview touched on Family Care Center’s density‑based growth strategy, which focuses on building clusters of clinics that improve access, support provider collaboration, and strengthen community partnerships. Dr. Ivany also shared insights on the future of interventional psychiatry, noting that while TMS remains the most scalable and payer‑supported option today, the field will continue to evolve.
See the full interview in Behavioral Health Business (subscription may be required).
Related content
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Teens: A Breakthrough Treatment for Adolescent Depression
- A Retrospective Study to Assess Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Receiving a Novel Sequential Bilateral Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol for Depression(opens in a new tab)
- How Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Works to Treat Major Depressive Disorder
