Dr. Elana Payton

Dr. Payton is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and recognized as a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC). She holds a Master’s in Professional Counseling and earned her EdD in Counseling Psychology from The Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University. Her therapeutic approach is humanistic and identified as person-centered therapy. By establishing positive regard, trust, and empathy, she engages in the whole person and establishes a strong working relationship. Dr. Payton is experienced in working with clients suffering from trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), various anxiety disorders, and depression. She is trained in a multitude of therapies and uses an eclectic approach in her practice.

As a dedicated professional counselor, I uphold the virtue that self-care is fundamental to sustaining a positive, healthy, and fulfilling life. I am committed to empowering individuals to develop personalized strategies that support their physical, emotional, and mental well-being, thereby reducing stress, preventing burnout, and nurturing a sustained passion for life and learning. My practice is rooted in a person-centered, humanistic approach that honors the uniqueness of each individual, fostering a relationship built on trust, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.

I believe that counseling is not only a space for personal growth but also an opportunity to inspire self-awareness and resilience. I strive to guide individuals with compassion and integrity, by cultivating an environment that values open communication, acceptance, and awareness. I aim to facilitate the process of self-discovery and support each person in achieving their fullest potential. I recognize the importance of balancing academic or professional responsibilities with personal interests and service, and I am dedicated to helping others create holistic plans that promote lasting well-being and life balance.

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Clients can expect their first session with Dr. Payton to be a welcoming, supportive, and judgment-free space where they are invited to share their story at their own pace. The initial session is focused on building trust, understanding the client’s concerns, and exploring what has brought them to counseling. Dr. Payton takes time to learn about each client as a whole person, including their strengths, challenges, goals, and hopes for the counseling process.

During this first meeting, clients can ask questions, discuss expectations, and begin identifying areas where they would like support. Using a person-centered and compassionate approach, Dr. Payton works collaboratively with clients to establish a strong therapeutic relationship and begin developing a plan that supports healing, self-awareness, resilience, and overall well-being.