Dr. Amir Etesam

Psychiatrist

Dr. Amir Etesam, MD, is a Johns Hopkins-trained Psychiatrist at Bright Horizons Psychiatry in North Bethesda, Maryland. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Etesam chose to focus his career on mood and anxiety disorders. He is a member of the well-respected Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the only medical honor society in the world. Diagnostic clarification and appropriately treating psychiatric disorders are the fundamentals of Dr. Etesam’s practice and his promise to his patients. His particular interests include complex psychopharmacology, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Intranasal Ketamine Esketamine (Spravato®) treatment. Dr. Etesam is a National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) certified TMS provider. At present, he sees and treats patients with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and ADHD, including severe and treatment-resistant cases. He warmly welcomes all patients to Bright Horizons Psychiatry and he looks forward to caring for them.

Shelly Valliath

Nurse Practitioner

Shelly Valliath is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who is compassionate and dedicated to providing excellent care to each and every one of her patients. Shelly received her Masters in Nursing and then went on to receive a second Masters degree to become a Nurse Practitioner. Through her extensive education and clinical training, Shelly is experienced in many diverse therapeutic areas including Cardiology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Intensive Care, Primary Care, Women’s Health, and Psychiatry.

Through her medical experience, she found that when her patients were healthy mentally, they were also able to heal physically. Shelly has experience treating depression, anxiety, attention-deficit-disorder, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol-abuse disorder, and many other psychiatric disorders. Shelly focuses on developing an individualized treatment plan while utilizing evidenced-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological modalities to support each one of her clients.

Shelly is looking forward to working with you!

Cierra Coughlin

Nurse Practitioner

Cierra is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with a strong foundation in diverse nursing environments, including various intensive care units, post-anesthesia care units, operating rooms, and outpatient clinics. Since 2018, Cierra has cultivated extensive experience, allowing her to deliver exceptional care to all patients with mental health conditions. Her commitment to providing top-quality, compassionate care is rooted in her comprehensive clinical background, making her well-equipped to support and guide patients on their mental health journey.

Hesam Etesam

Head of Neuromodulation

Hesam received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland. His keen interest in medicine and healthcare in combination with his background in engineering led him to pursue a career in neuromodulation. He has worked extensively with patients with mental and behavioural disorders and completed his studies in preliminary medicine. He is a certified TMS provider and is the main point of contact regarding neuromodulation evaluations and coordination of treatments.

Sepideh Adl

Head of Administration

Sepideh got her Bachelor’s degree in the field of dental hygiene from the University of Maryland and after 4 years of providing treatments for patients, moved into an office management role and led business management and operations for various medical practices. She is the main point of contact for our patients regarding their appointments, billing and other questions.

Nancy Vargas

Office Manager

Nancy embarked on her career journey at a young age by volunteering in community-based clinics, specifically within the medical records room. It was there that she discovered her profound passion for the medical field. With a background in phlebotomy and as a pre-nursing student, she was naturally drawn to further her education. Nancy chose to attend the University of Maryland University College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Administration and Management, with a minor in Psychology, graduating with Upsilon Phi Delta honors.

In her leisure time, Nancy enjoys watching documentaries, hiking, and spending quality time with her family.

Sianne Bell

Esketamine Coordinator

Sianne is an Esketamine Coordinator with a background in health services administration. She is focused on improving patient flow and supporting clinical staff with various operational tasks. Sianne is eager to grow in the healthcare field and is dedicated to ensuring the best possible care for patients. She brings a fresh perspective and strong organizational skills to her role.

Naomi Velez

Administrative Assistant

Naomi has worked in the medical field for years, first as a medical assistant and then as a front office coordinator, where she excelled in customer service and clerical duties. Most recently she took a short break from the medical field to be a flight attendant where she maintained her stellar customer service and attention to detail, as well as compassion and a love for helping people. She is the main point of contact for initial patient appointments and general inquiries about the practice.

Mehjabeen Khalid

Patient Coordinator

Mehjabeen holds a Bachelors Degree In Management and has experience in Healthcare Administration. She is detail oriented, organized, and passionate about improving workflow. In her free time she likes to be in nature, and loves to travel.

Ayca Gumus

Patient Coordinator

Ayca graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. She is known for her strong organizational skills and dedication to providing exceptional care to others. She values quality time with family and friends, cherishing meaningful relationships and creating lasting memories. In her free time, she enjoys unwinding with a good film to relax and recharge. With a focus on care, connection, and efficiency, she strives to make a positive impact in everything she does.

Sasha Amirov

Marketing Specialist

Sasha Amirov has a Bachelor’s in Marketing from NNGTU and another Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems from Baruch College, New York. With extensive experience in medical clinic marketing and a background in photography and videography, she specializes in marketing automation and creating compelling visual content. Sasha enjoys spending quality time with her family.