Desai Health
Providers
MEET OUR TEAM
Compassionate care from qualified behavioral health providers is our top priority. Please click on each provider’s profile for information regarding services offered. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Dr. Desai is triple board certified, in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry, and Psychosomatic Medicine. Prior to his private practice, he was an Assistant Professor, Associate Program Director, and Medical Director: Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison at The University of Florida at Jacksonville/Shands Hospital. Dr. Desai takes a balanced approach to go beyond symptom relief and help you find ways to revitalize your life so that you can thrive in all of your endeavors. Dr. Desai provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management services to patients ages 8 to 17 in office or virtually. He is currently NOT accepting new patients.
Dr. Santos is a Board-Eligible physician specializing in Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry. Dr. Santos completed both his General Psychiatry Residency and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Florida Jacksonville, under the direction of Dr. Desai and other Program Directors. He believes that the therapeutic relationship between provider and patient is a major and powerful component of treatment. Dr. Santos provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management for patients ages 6-17. He is currently NOT accepting new patients.
Chris is a Board Certified Psychiatric NP who specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of mental illness, including the prescribing of medications as well as supportive psychotherapy. He has 20 years’ experience in the mental health field, initially as a Licensed Counselor then as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. He worked in an academic setting with Dr. Desai for several years, and continues that collaboration here at Desai Health. Chris provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management services to adult patients ages 18 to 60. He only offers virtual appointments.
Christina is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant who provides medication management services (diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues, including the prescribing of medications). Prior to joining Desai Health, Christina worked at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and UF Health Jacksonville Psychiatry. At UF she worked alongside Dr. Santos and will continue that collaboration with him, as well as with Dr. Desai. She offers both in office and virtual appointments, at both our San Jose and Nocatee locations, and is accepting new patients, ages 6 to 60.
Shannska, a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. With over 5 years of experience at UF Health Psychiatry in Jacksonville, Shannska provides individualized psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and supportive therapy to adolescents and adults. Offering both in-office and virtual appointments, Shannska is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal mental wellness while considering the broader family and social factors influencing their care.
In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ann is a Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor whose goal is to help her patients achieve emotional well-being and live a life free from chaos. She has an extensive background and expertise in the treatment of trauma, attachment disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, and behavioral disorders. She provides individual therapy for children/adolescents ages 8-17 (18-25 if student) utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy and other therapeutic modalities. She is currently accepting new patients on a limited basis. Patients have the option of virtual or in-office appointments.
Sherryl is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose goal is to help you achieve the life you desire and deserve, utilizing cognitive behavioral and solution focused therapies. She offers Brainspotting, which is considered an effective and rapid treatment to help resolve anxiety, depression, and upsetting events, as well as identify and change negative thought patterns in a positive way to result in a feeling of increased well-being and happiness. Sherryl provides individual therapy and Brainspotting, for patients 18-60, virtually (Tuesday through Thursday).
Allison is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in adolescent and adult psychotherapy. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy to help you achieve your goals as well as increasing your overall well-being and happiness. Allison has a background in parenting education that helps foster positive relationships between parents and their teens. Allison provides individual CBT therapy for patient ages 12-60. She only offers virtual appointments.
Adria is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor with over 20 years of providing clinical and social services to children, adolescents, and adults in various treatment settings. Her specialties include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Nutritional Psychology. She believes in a whole-body treatment approach that addresses all facets that may be contributing to symptoms while working together to achieve and maintain optimum behavioral health and wellness. With children and adolescents, she incorporates a whole-person approach by working with their academic and social support networks to ensure treatment success. She is currently accepting new patients for both in-office and telehealth visits (in office at our Nocatee location only).
Dr. Tuason is both a university Professor and a Licensed Psychologist. She has an extensive background in working with children, adolescents, adults, and their families, utilizing Interpersonal Process, Narrative and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. She is adept at Family Therapies to facilitate change and healing that lead to greater well-being, healthier quality of life, and happier perspectives in individuals and families. Dr. Tuason provides individual, couples and family therapy. She only works on Thursdays, and only offers virtual appointments. She is currently NOT accepting new patients (8-60) for individual and family counseling.