About Our Jacksonville Psychologists: The Story of D’Arienzo Psychology

By Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, Psy.D., MSCP, ABPP
Founder, D’Arienzo Psychology
Last Updated: November 2026

I founded D’Arienzo Psychological Group in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2008 after completing six years of active-duty service as a U.S. Navy psychologist. Today, the practice is known as D’Arienzo Psychology, but our commitment to providing experienced, professional psychological services remains the same.

Returning to Jacksonville was a natural decision. Both my family and my wife’s family had strong ties to Northeast Florida. After years of military assignments, I wanted to establish a private practice in a community that already felt like home.

From Navy Psychology to Private Practice

My Navy career included clinical and operational psychology assignments at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Naval Hospital Pensacola, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay, and aboard the USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group. Those experiences taught me a great deal about psychological assessment, treatment, leadership, and helping people function under demanding circumstances.

After leaving the Navy, I briefly worked at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital while building my private practice. I also reconnected with former professors at the University of North Florida and became involved with the Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club. It was a rewarding time, both personally and professionally.

Serving Jacksonville’s Military Families

In the beginning, much of our work involved active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. My experience in the Navy helped me understand the pressures associated with deployments, military careers, family separation, and the transition to civilian life.

With Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport nearby, we developed a practice that was particularly familiar with the needs of military families. As referrals increased, we expanded our services and brought additional mental health professionals into the practice.

How D’Arienzo Psychology Has Grown

As the practice grew, we added counseling professionals and expanded into forensic psychology, family law matters, psychological testing, and couples counseling. Over time, we also developed services for attorneys, businesses, and organizations needing specialized psychological evaluations.

Today, D’Arienzo Psychology includes experienced psychologists and other qualified mental health professionals. Our work covers clinical treatment, couples counseling, forensic evaluations and consultation, and psychological testing and assessment.

Our occupational and public-safety services have expanded considerably. We have now conducted more than 6,000 psychological evaluations for public-safety and armed security personnel. We work with individual applicants, security companies, law enforcement agencies, and organizations requiring specialized assessments.

Experienced Psychologists, Local Roots, Broader Reach

I am a board-certified clinical psychologist through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and hold a postdoctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology. This additional training deepens my understanding of medications, medical conditions, and biological factors that can affect psychological functioning. It also supports more informed coordination with prescribing professionals.

Although Jacksonville remains our home, our services now extend well beyond Northeast Florida. We provide in-person services and eligible online psychological services through individual state licensure and PSYPACT authorization, subject to applicable requirements.

I still appreciate what makes Jacksonville special, from the Gate River Run and the St. Johns River to Jacksonville Beach and the Riverside Arts Market. The community that helped us get started continues to be an important part of our identity. My community involvement remains high priority. I’ve served an several boards locally and with the Florida Psychological Association, and have most recently joined as a member of Jacksonville’s Downtown Rotary.