Desai Health

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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!

CHIRAG DESAI, MD
CHIRAG DESAI, MDPsychiatrist
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.
VICTOR SANTOS, MD
VICTOR SANTOS, MDPsychiatrist
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.
CHRISTOPHER CALANDRO, APRN
CHRISTOPHER CALANDRO, APRNAdvanced Practice Registered Nurse
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 SIGMON, P.A.
CHRISTINA SIGMON, P.A.Physician Assistant
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.
ANN FRECKER, LCSW
ANN FRECKER, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
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 Makeever, LCSW
Sherryl Makeever, LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker
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).
Chad Backer, LMHC
Chad Backer, LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor
Chad is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor whose goal is to help improve each individual’s present experience. Too often, people distract themselves from discomfort instead of creating a day to day existence that can bring them peace and happiness. Chad has experience in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. He utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a Person-Centered Approach. Chad is also trained to treat OCD utilizing Exposure and Response Prevention and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Experience (SPACE). Chad provides individual and family therapy for patients 13 to 50. He is currently accepting new patients and offers both in-person and virtual sessions.
Allison Dyal, LMHC
Allison Dyal, LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor
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 Forte, LMHC
Adria Forte, LMHCLicensed Mental Health Counselor
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).
Teresa Tuason, Ph.D.
Teresa Tuason, Ph.D.Psychologist
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.

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