
Lakeland Office
3699 Airfield Drive West S1
Lakeland, Florida 33811

Santana Psych-Educational Services
(786) 558-9123
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS!!
Miami & Lakeland, Florida
We Accept United, Avmed, Oscar, Sunshine Insurance
Website: www.gemasasantanaeds.com
Book your appointment with the link below:
Follow us on Instagram @santana_psyched_services

Miami Office
10661 North Kendall Drive
Suite 230-232
Miami, Florida 33176

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind"
William James
Meet the Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our team is composed of dedicated professionals with deep expertise in the field of psychology. We have locations in Miami, Florida and Lakeland, Florida. With most members bringing over 15 years of experience, we specialize in conducting comprehensive neuropsychological/psychological and psycho-educational evaluations for children facing a range of developmental and behavioral challenges. Our team’s expertise spans ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, social and emotional disorders, intellectual disabilities, and gifted assessments. In addition, our team is ADOS-2 certified. We are committed to providing high-quality, insightful evaluations that support each child’s unique needs and empower families and educators with valuable guidance.

Gema M. Santana, Ed.S. LSSP
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
CEO/Owner
Gema Santana, Ed.S., LSSP is a Licensed Specialist School Psychologist serving families in South Florida. Before opening her private practice, she spent 20 years in the public school system, beginning her career as a Special Education teacher in 2001. She earned her Specialist degree in School Psychology from Florida International University in 2007.
She is passionate about helping children reach their full potential and supporting families in understanding their child’s strengths and needs through comprehensive evaluations. She provides specialized assessments for autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities/gifted, developmental disabilities, and learning disorders.
Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles and served as an intern supervisor, mentoring future professionals in the field. In recognition of her dedication and compassion, she was the first recipient of the Dr. Del Valle Humanitarian Award at FIU in 2007. Advocating for children and empowering families remains her highest priority.

Doris Prats., Ed.S. LSSP
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
Doris Prats-Capute is a dedicated licensed Specialist bilingual school psychologist with many years of experience in both public and private educational settings. With a strong foundation in elementary education and a master's degree in reading education, she has a passion for supporting children and adolescents as they navigate academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Doris has spent over fifteen years working as a school psychologist across various educational levels, complemented by twelve years in the private sector, where she offers a wide range of psychological services to children and families. Her commitment to mental health and education makes her an invaluable resource in the lives of her students and their families. She is involved in leadership positions to improve mental health services. She is deeply passionate about helping children and their families navigate the complexities they face inside and outside the classroom. Her work reflects a profound commitment to the well-being and a strong belief in the power of collaboration to foster positive outcomes for the clients she serves.

Naylet LaRochelle Ed.S., LSSP
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
Naylet LaRochelle earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Florida International University in 1992. While practicing as an educator in the Miami-Dade County School District for six years, Naylet completed her training as a school psychologist, earning an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology at Florida International University.
Naylet has practiced as a school psychologist for over 20 years in the public sector. During this time, she joined the district leadership team and specialized in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Naylet has served as a school psychology intern supervisor for 15 years and as the co-coordinator of the Miami-Dade Internship program for four consecutive years, overseeing the year-long field experience of graduate level school psychology students. Four years ago, Naylet returned to Florida International University as an adjunct professor, teaching psychology courses to both undergraduate and graduate level students.

Keila Tuckler, Ed.S., LSSP
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
Keila Tuckler is a bilingual Licensed School Psychologist with years of professional experience in the field of school psychology. She earned her Specialist’s Degree in School Psychology from Florida International University (FIU) – she acquired a number of achievements while there, including the Cuban Women’s Scholarship. Before her transition to school psychology, Keila dedicated several years as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher. In this role, she supported both special needs students and those from diverse backgrounds acquiring the English language. Her involvement with the “Brave Bunch” program, which specializes in supporting students diagnosed with Selective Mutism, fueled her passion for professional and academic growth and deepened her commitment to fostering emotional and behavioral well-being in children.

Bianca Gutierrez, EdD., NCSP, LSSP.
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
Bianca Gutierrez is a nationally certified and licensed bilingual school psychologist fluent in English and Spanish. With over 30 years of experience in education, Bianca brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to helping students reach their fullest potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Bianca holds a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in reading education, a specialist degree in school psychology, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Her career spans both private and public education sectors, where she has conducted comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, psychoeducational assessments, behavioral observations, and data-driven interventions. Dedicated to collaboration, Bianca works closely with families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to create supportive environments where students can thrive. Her approach blends professional precision with genuine care ensuring that every report, recommendation, and conversation is clear, actionable, and tailored to the unique needs of each child. Whether guiding parents through assessment results, supporting schools with evidence-based practices, or writing detailed psychoeducational reports, Bianca’s mission remains the same to make a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of the students she serves.

Solange Fernandez, LSSP
Licensed Bilingual
School Psychologist
Solange Fernandez, Ed.S., LSSP is a licensed school psychologist who provides comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations for children and adolescents. With over 18 years of experience, she combines clinical expertise with firsthand classroom insight. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from St. Thomas University and began her career teaching in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she developed a deep understanding of diverse learning styles and the barriers affecting academic and emotional growth. While teaching, she completed her Ed.S. in School Psychology at Florida International University in 2008.
Solange has extensive experience working with children and adolescents with a wide range of neurodevelopmental, learning, emotional, and behavioral conditions, including autism, ADHD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and learning disorders.Her practice focuses on assessment, mental health, learning differences, and behavioral support. She takes a collaborative, family-centered approach, partnering with parents, educators, and professionals to help children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Guided by faith and the belief that every child can grow, she is committed to helping each child reach their full potential.

Isaira Isla
Office Manager/Psychologist Assistant
I been working at Santana Psych-Educational Services for more many years. As an Office manager and assistant to the psychologist, I provide comprehensive support in both administrative and clinical areas to ensure smooth operations and a positive client experience. My responsibilities include scheduling appointments, managing the psychologist’s calendar, and maintaining accurate and confidential client records. I assist with client intake, guide them through procedures, and act as a point of contact for inquiries. By coordinating with other professionals and managing correspondence, I contribute to creating an organized and welcoming environment that supports the psychologist’s work and enhances client care.
SERVICES WE OFFER
We conduct several evaluations to help children and parent understand their child's potential and provide research and evidence-based recommendations for them to be successful in school and in several aspects of their life. These evaluations help you understand your child better and provide the services they need.

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER EVALUATIONS
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Evaluation
Children who have ADHD often show symptoms while they are very young. Parents may notice their child is more active, talkative, impulsive, or has more trouble listening or following directions than siblings or playmates. It will include information from parents or guardians, childcare providers, teachers, other school personnel, or other mental health clinicians who are involved in the child’s care. A complete evaluation may include:
• Interviewing the parent and child
• Reviewing family medical history, especially if other family members have ADHD
• Parent- and teacher-completed child behavior rating scales
• Parent self-reports of parenting style
• Spending time with the child to observe behavior either at home, school, or in the medical office
• Review of earlier school and medical records
• A medical, physical, or neurodevelopmental screening to rule out any other medical conditions that
might produce ADHD-like symptoms.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DISORDERS AND AUTISM EVALUATIONS
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today. While there is not a single behavioral or communication test that can detect Autism, several Autism-specific tools are now being used for formal diagnosis. Some of the signs of Autism at any age can include the following:
Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
Avoidance of eye contact
Persistent preference for solitude
Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
Delayed language development
Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
Restricted interests
Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors
The evaluation itself can vary depending on the age of the person being assessed, and the severity of his or her needs. An assessment for Autism typically includes:
A medical history of the mother’s pregnancy
Sensory challenges
Medical illnesses, including ear infections and seizures
Any family history of developmental disorders
Any family history of genetic and metabolic disorders
An assessment of cognitive functioning
An assessment of language skills
An Autism-specific observational test, interview, or rating scale

GIFTED OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES EVALUATIONS
An IQ test is an assessment that measures a range of cognitive abilities and provides a score that is intended to serve as a measure of an individual's intellectual abilities and potential. To understand what these scores really mean, it is essential to look at exactly how these test scores are calculated. Today, many IQ tests are standardized, and scores are derived by comparing individual performance against the norm for people in that age group. IQ tests can be used for a wide range of purposes, including:
Educational assessment and placement
Assessment and diagnosis of intellectual disability
Assessing cognitive abilities including memory, speed, and attention

COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATIONS (CDE)
A CDE consists of an assessment based on the child's diagnosis that can provide detail information to parents and professionals about the child's behavior and recommendations. This information helps guide an appropriate intervention plan that can address the areas of weaknesses and strengths. The evaluation consists of a Comprehensive Developmental History, Review of medical and school records and Assessments conducted by a licensed psychologist.

LEARNING DISABILITY EVALUATIONS
A Learning Disability Evaluation consists of an academic test that focuses on the areas of concern, intellectual assessment and any other area of concern including social/emotional development. Moreover, a comprehensive review of academic records and previous tutoring/interventions services and input from teachers and tutors that have worked with your child in an academic environment. This evaluation will provide you with information regarding your child's academic abilities when compared to other children in the same grade in order to determine the proper services required to meet the academic demands.

ACADEMIC TUTORING SERVICES
We offer academic tutoring in the areas of reading, math and writing conducted by experienced certified teachers. Our team of psychologist and teachers provide an individualized and holistic approach in all the sessions that only include up to three children. The tutoring sessions offer an individualized plan and attention that allows students to work at their own pace and focus on their specific needs while also using specialized teaching methods based on the child's strengths and weaknesses.

Struggling in College? Need Support for your Child? We can help!
We provide comprehensive evaluations for college students and parents who suspect that their child may have a learning disability, anxiety, or attentional concern. Our services are designed to help clients understand their challenges and facilitate necessary accommodations within a college or university setting. Following each evaluation, we offer appropriate diagnoses, detailed recommendations for accommodations to be implemented by the office of student affairs and disabilities at the respective institution. These can include accommodations (i.e., extra time) on SAT, PSAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT. For more information please call our office for a free consultation.
Our Clients say..
“Ms. Santana worked with a lot of empathy, dedication and patience with my son, My son felt very comfortable going to the evaluations. I am really glad with Ms. Santana's service and I definitely recommend her to other parents looking for psychological and educational services."
"Totally grateful for the work team, they are people who love their work, and truly want to help all their patients. Congratulations for your professionalism and good work. My child loved his sections with the psychologist, he felt in a familiar and pleasant environment, thank you very much for everything. I would always recommend them and with great pleasure"
“ Gema Santana conducted the gifted assessment for our 6 year-old daughter, and we couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The assessment process was through and well structured. The results were presented to us in a detailed report that was easy to understand, and we were given valuable insights into our daughter's strengths and areas of growth. We appreciated the clear communication and the willingness to answer all our questions. Overall, the expertise and professionalism made this an excellent experience. We highly recommend it to any parents seeking a gifted assessment for their child.”
Empowering Minds
At Santana Psycho-Educational Services, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally. Our team of experienced educators and Licensed school psychologists are committed to upholding HIPPA rights and rules, ensuring the confidentiality and well-being of every individual.

