Child Guidance Center is a private, not-for-profit organization. CGC is grateful for the financial support provided by Florida's Department of Children and Families, the City of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Children's Commission, United Way of Northeast Florida, Family Support Services of North Florida, Inc., Lutheran Services Florida, and the many individuals who have generously given to the Center.
Since 1951, the Child Guidance Center has specialized in helping children, adolescents and their families cope with the stresses of life. Our staff of more than 120 professionals are committed to meeting your needs.
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Services Offered
Community Action Team (CAT) This Team of therapists, case managers, mentors, a nurse and psychiatrists provide wraparound services to high risk youth and their families.
Community Family Services This intensive program is aimed at serving children, teens and their families in the community. These clients are often at risk for hospitalization, delinquency, residential placement, or a more restrictive school placement. Services are also provided for children who are in foster care or who may be in the custody of the Department of Children and Families. Services are provided in the homes and in the schools and involve the family in its entirety.
Infant and Early Childhood Specialist Behavioral health services for at risk 0-2 year olds in the home setting and services for 3-5 year olds in outpatient settings.
Outpatient Services Child Guidance Outpatient Services are available to children and families in Duval County simply by making a telephone request for an intake.
Rapid Response Team The Rapid Response Team intervenes during critical and emotionally taxing periods in children's lives, during which the children present a danger to themselves and/or to others. This is an aggressive and focused attempt to reduce the number of children Baker Acted from the Duval County Public Schools and Duval County's foster homes.
Crisis intervention is provided to children and adolescents upon referral from the schools and foster homes. Follow-up appointments are made available for maintenance until treatment elsewhere can begin, also providing the team an opportunity to facilitate the linking of the assessed children with other available services, i.e., FSPT, Full Service Schools, School Based Treatment, family therapy.
Targeted Case Management Child Guidance Center provides case management services for children and adolescents who have more serious emotional problems. Our Case Managers work closely with our clients and families to assist them in obtaining access to needed medical, social, educational and other services in the community that will improve their lives and maintain the child in the least restrictive environment.
Fees and Payment
Standard Fees: Psychosocial Evaluation - $195.00 1 Hour Psychotherapy - $130.00 1 Hour Group therapy - $50.00
Qualifying for assistance from Wisconsin's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Wisconsin's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.