Psychiatrist
From her very first psychiatry rotation in medical school, Dr. Aurianna Santos, MD knew she had found her place. Not because it was easy, but because it never felt like work. That early spark grew into a career defined by genuine curiosity, deep compassion, and a belief that every patient deserves to feel heard, respected, and fully informed about their own care.
Education and Background
Dr. Santos earned her medical degree through the University of Queensland's Ochsner Clinical School program, a dual-campus experience spanning Brisbane, Australia and New Orleans, Louisiana that immersed her in patient care across two countries and a wide range of clinical settings. She completed her psychiatry residency at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where she trained alongside patients from diverse backgrounds and built the kind of grounded, adaptable clinical foundation that shapes exceptional practitioners. That breadth of experience, across cultures, communities, and continents, continues to inform the way she approaches every patient she sees.
Care Philosophy
Dr. Santos is guided by compassion, honesty, respect, and a commitment to staying current with the medical literature, so her patients always have access to treatment options that are safe, effective, and evidence based. She believes strongly in educating patients about their diagnosis and the full range of options available to them, because informed patients make better decisions and feel more confident in their care. As a military spouse, a working mother, and someone from a multicultural background, she has a particular sensitivity to the invisible weight people carry: the stress of transition, the demands of family, the challenges that others do not always see. She works to reduce every barrier that stands between a patient and the care they need.
Personal Interests
Dr. Santos and her family love exploring San Antonio’s rich culture and history, from Historic Market Square and the River Walk to the Pearl and La Cantera, and they make a point of trying new restaurants and attending multicultural events around town. Mornings often start with a jog alongside her goldendoodle, and when time allows, she enjoys traveling, scrapbooking, and being present with her family. She also volunteers within the military community, offering support to spouses whose partners are deployed or away from home, a cause she understands firsthand and holds close.
What to Expect
In your first session with Dr. Santos, you can expect her full attention and a genuine effort to understand your story, what brought you in, what you are hoping to change, and what has or has not worked for you before. She creates a space where honesty feels safe, and questions are welcome. Her goal is not simply to treat a condition, but to help you feel stable, confident, and in control of your own mental health journey.