Our Team

Deena Velazquez Dong, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Deena is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who services adult clients throughout the state of Texas. She is available to all patients via telehealth and is specifically serving the Austin area and Rio Grande Valley populations in-person. Her approach is collaborative, inquisitive, person-centered, and solutions focused. She primarily focuses on diagnostic and medication management. Deena is board certified in both Psychiatry and Family Practice and has the following degrees and certifications:

Education

School
Post-Master’s Certificate, PMHNP, 2018 (UT Rio Grande Valley, TX)
School
Post-Master’s Certificate, ER/Trauma, 2017 (UTHSC-Houston, TX)
School
Master of Science in Nursing, Family NursePractitioner, 2012 (UTMB-Galveston, TX)
School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN Registered Nurse, 2010 (UTMB-Galveston, TX)
School
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology, 2005 (The University of Texas, Austin, TX)

Shalanda Cross, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Shalanda is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in patient advocacy, behavioral interventions, and mood disorders. She provides services to adults throughout the state of Texas and offers in-person visits to individuals in the Austin area. Shalanda enjoys sharing her knowledge with clients and encouraging them to address unhealthy thoughts and actions, create healthy goals, and regain self-confidence. Her approach is participatory, holistic, collaborative, and empowering. She is passionate about helping others in their journeys and impacting the health of the community as a whole. When appropriate, she consults and collaborates with physicians on difficult or challenging cases. Shalanda is board certified in both Psychiatry and Family Practice and has the following degrees and certifications:

Education

School
Post-Master’s Certificate, PMHNP, 2021 (UT Rio Grande Valley)
School
Master’s of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, 2012 (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center)
School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN Registered Nurse, 2006 (Viterbo University)
School
Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology, 1997 (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Michael John Solon, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Michael is a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who provides individualized and evidenced-based care to pediatric and adult patients with diverse psychiatric and behavioral needs in the Rio Grande Valley in person and via telehealth across Texas. He has more than 15 years of combined clinical experience and specialization as a dedicated board-certified psychiatric and mental health registered nurse delivering case-specific treatment plans and needs sensitive care approach, especially to the child and adolescent patient population dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other behavioral problems. At Psychiatry Texas, He will continue his passion for providing compassionate, solutions-oriented, and culturally competent psychiatric and mental health care to patients across the lifespan.

Education

School
Master of Science in Nursing, PMHNP, 2022 (Walden University, MN)
School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN Registered Nurse, 2005 (Cebu Doctors’ University, Philippines)

Khang (Thomas) Dong, Licensed Professional Counselor

Thomas has nearly a decade of experience in providing psychotherapy to both individuals, couples, and groups in a variety of settings. He brings experience from working in both outpatient and inpatient settings, including The Menninger Clinic, and working with youth in Texas juvenile facilities. Thomas is also Gottman-trained for couples and marriage counseling.

He is passionate about working with:
- college students
- neurodivergent individuals
- professionals in healthcare/caregivers
- newly divorced or separated
- singles that are dating/looking to date, single parents
- young adult couples looking to improve their relationships
- those struggle with bi-cultural experience and inter-generational conflicts

Thomas also enjoys helping young adult couples navigate through the stressors of juggling school, work, new parenthood, and life transitions.

He offers a flexible schedule allowing for virtual, in-person, and walk-and-talk talk therapy sessions. You can connect with him here to schedule a consultation or your first session with him.

Emma Gorrell, BSN, RN

Compassionate and dedicated Registered Nurse with over 6 years of experience providing patient-focused care across a diverse range of healthcare settings. Accomplished in ability to assess specific needs of patients to determine if treatments and interventions are met.
Emma is currently offering appointments for ADHD testing. You can schedule your test with her and your results will be discussed with one of our Nurse Practitioners.

Education

School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2017 (Ohio University, Athens)
School
Master of Science in Nursing, PMHNP, In Progress (University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL)