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Ellen Payne, LCSW-S
Founder & Supervising Therapist
Hi again :) Glad you're still here.
It can be tricky finding a therapist that you vibe with and think you can trust. I hope that a bit more information about me helps you feel more confident in a decision to reach out.
Over the past 14 years, I have worked with many different types of people in a few different settings struggling with all sorts of hard things. I've worked for trauma-focused nonprofit organizations, outpatient treatment centers, inpatient mental health hospitals, and dual diagnosis residential treatment centers. I've worked with people of all ages and stages of development. This means I have experience identifying and treating problems that can show up with trauma such as depression, anxiety, and substance use across the lifespan. I am also knowledgeable about community resources and levels of care, should there be a need for a different type of support. Because of my experience, I recognize that systems in your life might not be helping like they're supposed to. I am on your side and a strong advocate for the people I work with.
Much of my career has simply reinforced the need for me, as your therapist, to believe you and your experiences, just as you describe them.
I practice from an anit-oppressive and justice-oriented lens because recognizing which systems in place have and continue to perpetuate harm, and which ones make it harder for us to thrive is an important step in healing. We must get curious and look beyond the individual. We have to understand how these systems might contribute to an environment where awful things can and do happen, and it isn't safe to talk openly and freely about it.
I consider myself a forever learner and I try to put what I learn to good use. I stay informed about changes in the field of trauma treatment, emerging research, and other pathways to healing. I am fascinated by how trauma impacts the brain (neurobiology) and how trauma changes the expression of our genes (epigenetics).
My special interests are working with helping professionals, the LGBTQIA+ population, athletes and former athletes, and safe couples healing from trauma. Working with secondary survivors of trauma is fulfilling, too. Trauma has a sometimes-sneaky way of touching the lives closest to it and everyone deserves healing.
In our work together, I show up as my imperfect & authentic self, focused on you and prioritizing your voice and your choices. A little humor here and there helps, too :) Because, sometimes authentic means dirty hair and an extra cup of coffee. Am I right? This is a judgement free zone, period.
Want to get a bit personal?
I was born and raised in north Texas and am a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. My heritage is influential in my life - a source of pride and connection. After high school, I traveled to the east coast where I earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in social work. I played Division I competitive soccer, too! After graduate school, I headed back home to north Texas and began my career working with survivors of international torture and trauma. I then spent several years in the inpatient and outpatient levels of care. In 2016, I made my way to central Texas. Most recently I served survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at a local nonprofit organization. In my personal time, you can find me enjoying all that our area has to offer. I try to stay active outdoors gardening, hiking, and kayaking. Being creative is a tenant of my self-care plan so baking, crafting, and DIY-ing are things I do often. I practice yoga and hit the gym, too.
I intentionally take care of myself so I can keep doing this work to the best of my ability.
I am an animal lover, concert goer, and book reader. I geek out about my favorite things (have I mentioned neurobiology?) and genuinely enjoy hearing others share about theirs.