About Desai Health (Chirag V Desai, MD, LLC) · Jacksonville
Desai Health (Chirag V Desai, MD, LLC) is a physician-led psychiatry and therapy practice in Jacksonville, Florida, serving children, adolescents, and adults across Northeast Florida. The multidisciplinary team includes board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed therapists who provide psychiatric evaluations, medication management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), supportive therapy, and play therapy. With offices in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra (St. Johns County), the practice emphasizes evidence-based, individualized care in a supportive, professional setting.
Desai Health, formally Chirag V Desai, MD, LLC, is a Northeast Florida psychiatry and therapy practice founded and led by Dr. Chirag V. Desai, a board-certified adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist who has been practicing medicine since 2002 (per Florida Department of Health records) and began practicing in Florida on 5/11/2005. Dr. Desai graduated from Albany Medical College in 2002, completed residency and fellowship training including a fellowship in consult-liaison psychiatry, and holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry (certified 5/1/2007) and in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. He also serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville. The practice operates from two locations: a Jacksonville office at 4651 Salisbury Road, Suite 315B (Jacksonville, FL 32256) and a Ponte Vedra / St. Johns County office at 4210 Valley Ridge Blvd, Suite 114 (Ponte Vedra, FL 32081). A previous/secondary NPI-listed address of 8823 San Jose Blvd, Suite 301/303 (Jacksonville, FL 32217) also appears in public records and on WebMD. The team includes Dr. Victor Santos (Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist); nurse practitioners Christopher Calandro, ARNP, PMHNP-BC; Erica Flamm, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC; Lauren McAlister, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC; Shannska Scott, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC; and Katherine Reagan, APRN, PMHNP-BC; plus licensed therapists Ann Frecker, LCSW, RPT-S (Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor); Allison Dyal, LMHC; Adria Forte, LMHC; and Teresa Tuason, Ph.D. (licensed psychologist). Desai Health treats patients across the lifespan — child and adolescent clinicians typically see ages 5 to 17 (with some restrictions, see intake policies), and adult clinicians serve patients ages 18 and older. The practice offers both in-person visits at its two Northeast Florida offices and HIPAA-compliant telehealth for patients physically located in Florida at the time of the appointment. Self-pay rates are transparently posted: Medication Management Evaluation $250–$300, Standard 30-Minute Follow-Up $175, Extended 60-Minute Follow-Up $325–$350, Therapy New Patient Evaluation $200, and 30- or 45-Minute Therapy Session $75–$100, with a Good Faith Estimate available on request.
- In business
- Dr. Chirag Desai has been practicing medicine since 2002 and has practiced in Florida since 2005; the LLC (Chirag V. Desai, MD, LLC) appears in NPI/Medicare records published in October 2009. Years founded/founded year not explicitly stated on website.
- Owner
- Chirag V. Desai, MD — board-certified Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Associate Professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville
- Serves
- Northeast Florida — Jacksonville (Duval County), Ponte Vedra / St. Johns County, and surrounding regions; telehealth available to patients located in the state of Florida at the time of the appointment.
- Rating
- 4.3 out of 5 stars on Google, based on 33 reviews (per Trustindex Google review widget on desaihealth.com)
About Desai Health
Desai Health is a physician-led psychiatry and therapy practice serving children, adolescents, and adults across Northeast Florida. The multidisciplinary team includes board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed therapists who work collaboratively to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care in a supportive, professional setting. With locations in Jacksonville and St. Johns, the practice is committed to making high-quality mental healthcare accessible to communities throughout the region, including families and individuals who travel from neighboring areas.
- Board-certified psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed therapists on staff
- Two offices: Jacksonville (4651 Salisbury Rd) and Ponte Vedra / St. Johns (4210 Valley Ridge Blvd)
- Treats children and adolescents (ages 5 to 17) and adults (18+)
- Diagnostic evaluations, medication management, CBT, and play therapy offered
Providers and Clinical Team
The practice is led by Dr. Chirag V. Desai, MD, a board-certified adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist with fellowship training in consult-liaison psychiatry. He is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Victor Santos, multiple dual-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists specializing in play therapy, CBT, family therapy, and trauma. Together they form an integrated, collaborative care team serving patients across the lifespan.
- Chirag V. Desai, MD — Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist; Associate Professor, UF College of Medicine Jacksonville
- Victor Santos, M.D. — Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist
- Christopher Calandro, ARNP, PMHNP-BC — treats adults ages 18 to 60
- Erica Flamm, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC — Jacksonville native, specializes in anxiety and ADHD
- Lauren McAlister, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC — background includes Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
- Shannska Scott, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
- Katherine Reagan, APRN, PMHNP-BC
- Ann Frecker, LCSW, RPT-S — Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, child/adolescent trauma specialist
- Allison Dyal, LMHC — 15+ years experience, CBT and Strength-Based Therapy
- Adria Forte, LMHC — 20+ years experience, CBT and nutritional psychology
- Teresa Tuason, Ph.D. — Licensed Psychologist, family and couples therapy
Services Offered
Desai Health provides comprehensive psychiatric and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults. Care plans are individualized, evidence-based, and grounded in clinical expertise, with a stated emphasis on respect for each patient's unique experience.
- Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management — diagnostic assessments and medication treatment plans with close follow-up
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — goal-oriented treatment for anxiety, depression, and other challenges
- Supportive Therapy — talk therapy for emotional support and coping skills
- Play Therapy — developmentally appropriate, structured therapy for children; caregivers often included
- Family Therapy / Marriage and Family Therapy
- Couples Counseling
Telehealth Services
All Desai Health providers offer secure telehealth appointments through a HIPAA-compliant platform. Telehealth visits are available to patients physically located in the state of Florida at the time of the appointment, consistent with provider licensing regulations. Video sessions run on any device with a camera and microphone; phone sessions are also available but are typically not covered by insurance. If a connection drops, the provider follows up by calling the number on file. The practice recommends confirming telehealth mental-health benefits with the insurance carrier before the appointment.
- HIPAA-compliant video and phone appointments
- Available to patients located in Florida at the time of the visit
- Scheduling and platform support: [email protected] or (904) 638-8164
Conditions and Ages Treated
The practice serves children and adolescents (clinicians commonly support ages 5 to 17, with intake restrictions noted below) and adults (18 and older). Conditions commonly addressed include ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, behavioral challenges, trauma, attachment disorders, and PTSD. Specialized counseling is also available for maternal mental health.
- ADHD evaluation and medication management
- Anxiety, depression, and mood disorders
- Autism spectrum disorders and developmental delays
- Behavioral challenges in children, teens, and young adults
- Trauma, attachment disorders, and PTSD
- Maternal mental health
Rates and Self-Pay Pricing
Transparent self-pay rates are posted on the website's About page. Patients without insurance coverage, or those choosing not to use insurance benefits, can request a Good Faith Estimate. The practice also accepts a range of commercial insurance plans, with coverage varying by provider.
- Medication Management Evaluation: $250–$300
- Standard 30-Minute Follow-Up: $175
- Extended 60-Minute Follow-Up: $325–$350
- Therapy New Patient Evaluation: $200
- 30- or 45-Minute Therapy Session: $75–$100
- Good Faith Estimate available on request
Insurance Participation
Desai Health participates with a range of commercial insurance plans; however, network status varies by provider, and patients are urged to confirm coverage before submitting intake forms. The practice does not accept Medicare/Medicaid plans, including those administered through CMS, Aetna Better Health, United Healthcare Medicaid, Florida KidCare, or Healthy Kids, and does not participate in United Healthcare Medicare Advantage or Dual Complete plans.
- Aetna (excluding Aetna Better Health)
- AllSavers Insurance Co.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield / Florida Blue (some providers may be out-of-network)
- Cigna
- Medica
- Meritain (an Aetna company)
- Oxford Health
- Tricare Select (Prime requires referral authorization)
- United Healthcare (commercial plans only)
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
New Patient Intake and Intake Restrictions
Once completed intake forms are submitted, the clinical team reviews them and, if Desai Health is a good match, reaches out within 2–3 business days to schedule the first appointment. To maintain the highest standard of care within the practice's clinical focus, Desai Health is not currently accepting new patients in several categories.
- Under 8 years old (under 6 for medication management) or over 60 years old
- Require evaluations for disability, Social Security benefits, or legal matters
- Seeking treatment for substance use or abuse
- Involved in custody proceedings or other legal disputes
- Prescribed two or more controlled substances
- In treatment for eating disorders or personality disorders
Services Not Provided
To maintain the highest standard of care within the practice's clinical focus, Desai Health does not currently offer certain evaluation, legal, or case-related services.
- Permanent disability evaluations
- Workers' compensation evaluations or treatment
- Forensic or legal evaluations
- Fitness-for-duty assessments
- Custody proceedings or legal cases of any kind
Locations and Contact
Desai Health operates from two Northeast Florida offices and can be reached by phone, email, or contact form during business hours. The front-desk team assists with appointment scheduling, medication refills, and general inquiries.
- Jacksonville: 4651 Salisbury Rd, Suite 315B, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Ponte Vedra / St. Johns: 4210 Valley Ridge Blvd, Suite 114, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081
- Phone: (904) 638-8164
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday Closed
Patient Reviews and Reputation
Desai Health's Trustindex widget on its website displays a Google rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on 33 Google reviews. Verified Google reviews highlighted on the About page frequently praise Dr. Desai, Dr. Santos, ARNP Calandro, and front-office staff member Vera for compassionate, thorough, family-centered care. The practice is listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB Serving Northeast Florida & The Southeast Atlantic) as 'Desai Health (Chirag V Desai, MD, LLC)'; the BBB profile is not accredited.
- Google rating: 4.3 / 5 (33 reviews) via Trustindex on desaihealth.com
- BBB profile: Desai Health (Chirag V Desai, MD, LLC) — not BBB Accredited
- Reviewers commonly mention Dr. Desai, Dr. Santos, ARNP Calandro, and front-desk staff Vera