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.

Batool Asif

TMS/Alpha-Stim Coordinator

Batool is an experienced healthcare professional currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management, She brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her role as a medical assistant in our psychiatric office. With a deep understanding of mental health disorders and the ethical considerations in healthcare, she excels in patient correspondence, TMS, and front desk operations. Batool is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of our patients and in the healthcare field as a whole.

Dayana Vado

Esketamine Coordinator

Dayana worked as a medical assistant in various fields before becoming our Esketamine Coordinator; such as gynecology, neurology, and internal medicine. However, before her start in the medical field, she owned her own business for the better part of a decade. This mix of knowledge and experience in both clinical and administrative capacities, makes her the perfect fit for this position, and her genuine concern for the wellbeing of her patients makes her the perfect fit for Bright Horizons Psychiatry. Dayana is the point of contact for enrollment, scheduling, and any other inquiries related to Esketamine.

Vanessa Celis

Semiglutide Coordinator

Vanessa Celis, Semaglutide Coordinator. Vanessa works at Bright Horizons Psychiatry as a medical assistant helping those who suffer from weight gain due to medication get back to feeling themselves. She has been in the medical field for seven years now. She is also an esthetician who thrives to make others feel good about themselves inside and out. You will find her also working with our other clinical departments such as Esketamine, TMS, and Alpha-Stim.

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.

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.