New to Grow
Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne has over two decades of experience providing culturally appropriate care to those in emotional pain. She specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, and depression, using an evidence-based intervention (acceptance and commitment therapy). She aims to empower and strengthen those struggling against structural inequities. Since childhood, she has had a deep concern for people in pain, and she was particularly drawn to helping those oppressed and suffering from pain due to their race, gender, or socio-economic status. She has devoted her life's work to this cause – to hold out a hand and attempt to lift someone up who is depressed, traumatized, or stressed. She spent many years becoming educated for that cause.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I require a 15-minute virtual video session with each potential client to determine whether we are a good fit. If we are, the first session is a "getting to know you" session.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
I am very excited and humbled by the research-based work I have been able to do. I have culturally tailored (changed) acceptance and commitment therapy so that it is more relevant and valuable for the type of systemic trauma that African Americans and other marginalized groups face. I use this method frequently in my practice and train other clinicians worldwide in the technique.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a values-oriented clinical intervention. Success in ACT is defined by: "I can move forward toward what matters to me and makes my heart sing, even when things are hard, even when I am feeling _______ (blank)". My ideal client would likely desire to start moving from a stuck place toward their own values, and would appreciate help in getting from point A to point B. Finding the right therapist is as important as finding the right physician or mechanic. If you are looking for a therapist who is culturally sensitive, takes a holistic approach (mind, body, spirit), and encourages courageous, authentic, yet self-compassionate emotional healing, feel free to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me to explore our fit further.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Dr. Jennifer Shepard Payne has focused on adapting ACT to be more inclusive and relevant for diverse populations, particularly individuals from marginalized backgrounds. She delivers Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in a culturally resonant and respectful way, weaving in both cultural and at times spiritual (Christian) components into her treatment. She wrote the book "Out of the Fire: Healing Black Trauma Caused by Systemic Racism Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy." In sessions, Dr. Payne uses culturally tailored ACT to help people move from just surviving to thriving, from being stuck to moving towards what matters to them.