Treating Medication-Resistant Mood Disorders
The Treatment Resistant Mood Disorders (TRMD) Services at Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) is staffed by psychiatrists who are uniquely trained to treat medication-resistant mood disorders. This referral-based clinic is the only one in Utah to provide a full range of neurostimulation treatment options for certain mental health disorders including:
- depression,
- bipolar disorder, and
- schizoaffective disorders.
Our physicians provide consultations to patients being referred by their prescribers regarding alternative treatments for their treatment resistant mood disorders. Neurostimulation therapies include, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and ketamine infusions. ECT can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Ketamine infusions and TMS are currently available on an outpatient basis by psychiatrist referral only.
Find a TRMD Specialist
Treatments
Referral Process
Please call our office for more information about scheduling an outpatient appointment to discuss treatment options like ECT, TMS, and/or ketamine infusions. During this phone call we will gather demographic information, insurance information, and send a referral request to your physician.
If a physician is interested in referring a patient to us, they can print our referral form, and return it to our clinic. We will then follow up with the patient and schedule an appointment.
Once a treatment option has been decided upon, the patient will meet again with one of our psychiatrists to do a more in depth medical screening. This may involve a physical assessment, basic blood work, and an EKG.
Depression Center of Excellence

HMHI, together with the University of Utah Department of Psychiatry, is a designated Center of Excellence within the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC). This prestigious designation, earned by meeting rigorous requirements, acknowledges our comprehensive expertise in providing innovative treatments and evidence-based care to patients with depression and bipolar disorders. And highlights our commitment to advancing scientific discovery of mood disorders through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaborations.
The NNDC is a nonprofit network comprised of academic medical centers dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by depression and related mood disorders through large-scale collaborative studies, education, and outreach.
Meet Our Patients
Electroconvulsive Therapy Provides Hope for Husband and Father Struggling with Bipolar Disorder
Chris struggled with mixed bipolar disorder episodes—a dangerous mix of severe depression and mania that keeps him hyper-focused on thoughts of suicide. He tried numerous medications and lifestyle changes, but wasn't responding well to either. After his sixth attempted suicide, he was referred to the Treatment Resistant Mood Disorders Clinic and tried electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to stabilize his moods. ECT gave him the chance to be a dad and husband again.

Watch Miranda's Story
Miranda Riley was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts in 2021. When medication and therapy wasn’t working, Miranda’s therapist suggested electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The treatment ended up giving her the relief she needed. "Everybody has different results," Riley said. "But for me, it was absolutely life changing."