Troy Payne, LCSW

Troy Payne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) from Capella University in 2019. As an LCSW - a clinical social work license that qualifies him to assess and treat mental health concerns - he has built six years of experience supporting people of all ages who face depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Troy has a particular interest in helping clients whose lives are affected by traumatic events and focuses on reducing the ways those experiences interfere with daily functioning.

Troy draws from a broad array of evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), cognitive restructuring, narrative exposure, and motivational interviewing. He adapts these tools to match each person’s needs and goals, using practical strategies to address symptoms and build coping skills. Troy approaches therapy with the belief that all individuals have the capacity for growth and that his role is to create a trusting, supportive environment that facilitates progress.

Outside of his clinical work, he enjoys cooking, gardening, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.

Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care

Troy commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy as core tools in his work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors by teaching practical skills for managing anxiety, low mood, and stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines skill-building in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, and can be especially useful for intense emotions and patterns that affect relationships.

He also integrates Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) when traumatic events are central to a client’s concerns. TF-CBT provides structured techniques to process traumatic memories while developing coping strategies to reduce trauma-related symptoms.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Troy collaborates with each person to identify methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy with Troy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes scheduling more flexible and accessible for people with busy lives or mobility constraints. These options allow clients to engage in regular sessions and skill practice from locations that work best for them while maintaining continuity of care with a licensed professional.