About Us

Established in 1951, Child Guidance Center (CGC) is the largest provider of outpatient and community-based mental health services for children and adolescents in the Jacksonville area. As a private, not-for-profit organization, we’ve been committed to shaping brighter futures for our clients for more than 70 years.

Our story began seven decades ago when a group of concerned citizens recognized the need for a public mental health facility for children. They established the Child Guidance Clinic, which officially opened its doors on October 1, 1951, in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The clinic was designed to help children develop their strengths and cope with behavioral or adjustment problems, focusing on prevention and early intervention of emotional disorders.

Over the years, we’ve grown from a small clinic in the City Health Office, to expand our offices to five locations across Duval and Clay Counties, providing comprehensive mental health support to over 5,500 children, adolescents, and their families each year.

Mission

Our mission is to invest in our community by providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art mental health and collaborative support services to assist children and their families. We are dedicated to promoting professional growth and achieving improved treatment outcomes.

Vision

Our vision is to strengthen the Jacksonville community by providing innovative mental health services to assist children and families in reaching their fullest potential.

Values

At CGC, we operate on a whole-health, whole-family mentality, focusing on treating not only children and adolescents but also their families and systems. Our professionally trained staff are dedicated to fostering empathy, commitment, and excellence in service delivery. We firmly believe in the unlimited potential and endless possibilities of each child we serve.