Spravato now in Rockville Md

FDA Approved Esketamine Nasal Spray for depression

  • FDA-Approved
  • REMS-Certified Clinic
  • Most Insurance Accepted
SPRAVATO® Esketamine · Rockville, MD

When Antidepressants Haven't Worked, There's a Path Forward

FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression. Most insurance accepted. Free consultation with our care team, under the guidance of a Johns Hopkins-trained psychiatrist.

  • Free 30-minute confidential consultation
  • Free insurance verification before you commit
  • Johns Hopkins-trained psychiatrist, REMS-certified clinic
Response Rate
~70 percent
Remission Odds
+52 percent
Patient Rating
4.8 out of 5 stars

Based on pooled analysis of TRANSFORM-1 & TRANSFORM-2 Phase 3 trials. Popova V, et al. J Affect Disord. 2023.

Free · No Obligation

Get Your Free Evaluation

30-minute call. No cost. We'll verify your insurance and answer your questions.

Who We Treat

Is SPRAVATO® Right for You?

Most patients who benefit from SPRAVATO® share these things in common. If most apply to you, you may be a strong candidate.

  • You're an adult, age 18 or older
  • You've tried two or more antidepressants without lasting relief
  • You've been diagnosed with major depressive disorder
  • You can travel to our Rockville, MD clinic for in-person sessions
  • You're ready to explore an FDA-approved alternative to standard antidepressants

Most of these apply to you? You may be a strong candidate. Book your free 30-minute evaluation to confirm.

Book My Free Evaluation
Insurance

We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans

SPRAVATO® is typically covered by these insurance providers. We'll verify your specific plan for free before you commit to treatment.

Don't see your plan? Call (240) 599-1001 or book a free consultation — we'll verify your coverage at no cost.

How It Works

SPRAVATO® Works Differently Than Antidepressants

Unlike traditional antidepressants that target serotonin and can take 4 to 8 weeks to work, SPRAVATO® targets a different system in the brain and many patients experience relief in days, not months.

  1. Targets a Different System

    SPRAVATO® works on glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter. Traditional antidepressants target serotonin. This is why SPRAVATO® may work when SSRIs and SNRIs have not.

  2. Rapid Relief in Days, Not Months

    Many patients report improvement within the first one to two weeks. Traditional antidepressants typically take four to eight weeks to show full effect, if they work at all.

  3. Administered Under Medical Supervision

    Self-administered as a nasal spray during in-clinic sessions at our REMS-certified Rockville location. You stay for monitoring after each dose to ensure safety.

Your Treatment Journey

Here's What to Expect, From First Call to Recovery

A straightforward path designed to feel calm and supported, not clinical and confusing. Each step builds on the last.

  1. Free Consultation

    30 minutes · Phone

    A no-cost call with our team to confirm you're a candidate, answer your questions, and verify your insurance coverage at no charge.

  2. Psychiatric Evaluation

    60 minutes · In-person

    A thorough evaluation with our Johns Hopkins-trained psychiatrist to confirm diagnosis, review your treatment history, and build a personalized plan.

  3. Treatment Sessions

    2 hours · In-clinic

    Self-administer the nasal spray in a quiet, private room. Stay for two hours of monitoring while our team supports you. Arrange a ride home; no driving same day.

  4. Ongoing Monitoring

    Long-term care

    Track your progress with standardized rating scales at every visit. Adjust your plan as needed. Coordinate with your therapist or primary care doctor as appropriate.

Ready to start? It begins with a free, no-obligation phone call.

Book My Free Consultation
Meet Your Psychiatrist

You'll Be Cared For by a Johns Hopkins-Trained Psychiatrist

Specialized expertise in treatment-resistant depression and advanced neuromodulation, delivered in a boutique setting where every patient is known by name.

Dr. Amir Etesam, MD — psychiatrist at Bright Horizons Psychiatry, Rockville, Maryland Johns Hopkins-Affiliated

Amir Etesam, MD

Founder & Lead Psychiatrist, Bright Horizons Psychiatry

  • Johns Hopkins Training Trained at one of the world's top-ranked psychiatry programs, with focus on mood disorders and advanced treatments.
  • Board-Certified Psychiatrist American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology certified
  • Specialty Focus Treatment-resistant depression, SPRAVATO®, Deep TMS, IM ketamine, and complex mood disorders in adults.
  • REMS-Certified for SPRAVATO® Bright Horizons is a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) certified clinic, meeting FDA requirements for safe esketamine administration.
"Most patients who come to me have tried everything. My job is to take that seriously, look at what hasn't worked and why, and offer treatments that actually fit the science of what's happening in their brain. People deserve more than another prescription." — Dr. Amir Etesam

NPI: 1588144588 · License: Maryland

Patient Stories

Real Patients. Real Results.

Read what people who came to us after trying everything else have to say about their experience.

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Join the patients who found relief after years of trying. Your free consultation is the first step.

Book My Free Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

Everything you need to know before your free consultation. Don't see your question? Call us or ask during your call.

Is SPRAVATO® covered by insurance?

Yes. SPRAVATO® is FDA-approved and typically covered by most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Tricare, United Healthcare, Maryland Medicaid, and Medicare.

Coverage usually requires prior authorization, which means your insurance needs to approve the treatment before you start. We handle the entire prior authorization process for you at no cost. We will also verify your specific plan and any out-of-pocket costs during your free consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

What are the side effects of SPRAVATO®?

The most common side effects during the two-hour monitoring period are temporary and typically resolve before you leave the clinic. They include:

  • Dissociation (a brief, mild feeling of being detached from your body or surroundings)
  • Dizziness or sedation
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Mild headache

Because of these effects, you must be monitored on-site for two hours after each dose and cannot drive for the rest of the day. Our clinical team monitors your blood pressure, comfort, and safety throughout. Serious side effects are rare and the medication is administered under FDA REMS-certified safety protocols.

How long does it take for SPRAVATO® to work?

Many patients begin to notice improvement within the first one to two weeks of treatment. This is in contrast to traditional antidepressants, which typically take four to eight weeks to show full effect.

The standard treatment course is twice-weekly sessions for the first four weeks (induction phase), followed by less frequent maintenance sessions. Response is monitored at every visit using standardized rating scales, so we can adjust your plan based on real progress.

Results vary by patient. Some respond quickly; others need the full induction phase before noticing significant change. Your psychiatrist will set expectations during your initial evaluation.

What happens during a SPRAVATO® session?

Each session lasts approximately two hours and takes place at our Rockville, MD clinic in a quiet, private treatment room. Here's what to expect:

  • Check-in & vitals: Brief check-in, blood pressure reading, and review of how you're feeling
  • Self-administration: You'll self-administer the SPRAVATO® nasal spray under the supervision of a healthcare provider
  • Monitoring: Two hours of relaxed monitoring in a calm, comfortable space. You can rest, listen to music, or simply relax
  • Discharge: Once your vitals are stable and you feel ready, you'll be cleared to leave with your arranged transportation
Can I drive home after a SPRAVATO® session?

No. FDA REMS safety protocols require that you do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any activity requiring full alertness for the remainder of the day after each SPRAVATO® session.

You must arrange transportation home from each visit. Options include a family member or friend, a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, or a taxi. Many of our patients combine ride options across their treatment course.

The next day, you can typically return to your normal activities, including driving and work, unless your psychiatrist advises otherwise.

Can I take SPRAVATO® at home?

No. SPRAVATO® can only be administered in a REMS-certified clinical setting with on-site medical supervision. This is an FDA requirement, not a clinic policy.

The requirement exists because patients need to be monitored for the two hours immediately following each dose for blood pressure changes, dissociation, and sedation. Take-home use is not permitted under federal law.

If at-home treatment is essential for your situation, we recommend discussing alternative options such as oral medications or IM ketamine (which has different protocols) during your consultation.

How do I get started?

Getting started is straightforward and risk-free:

  • Step 1: Book your free 30-minute consultation using the form above or by calling (240) 599-1001
  • Step 2: We'll verify your insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket costs at no charge
  • Step 3: If you qualify and want to move forward, we'll schedule your in-person evaluation with our psychiatrist
  • Step 4: Once approved, you can typically start treatment within one to two weeks

The free consultation has no cost and no obligation. It's simply a conversation to see if SPRAVATO® is right for you.

Still have questions? That's exactly what your free consultation is for.

Book My Free Consultation

30 minutes · No cost · No obligation

Now Accepting New Patients

When You're Ready, We're Here

You've tried enough things that didn't work. SPRAVATO® might be different and the only way to know is a 30-minute conversation with our team.

30 Minutes Completely Free No Obligation
FDA-Approved REMS-Certified Clinic Johns Hopkins-Trained Rockville, MD

Bright Horizons Psychiatry
6000 Executive Blvd, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20852
NPI 1588144588 · Maryland licensed