Dina Payne, LCSW

Dina Payne welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure where to start. She makes space for honest conversation and aims to create a calm, nonjudgmental setting where clients can feel heard. Dina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in Illinois and brings nine years of clinical experience to her work.

She focuses on everyday struggles like anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and parenting stress. Dina also supports people facing grief, addiction issues, intimacy and sexual concerns, and life changes such as midlife transitions or career shifts. Aging and geriatric issues and caregiver stress are among her additional focus areas.

Dina uses straightforward methods that help people notice patterns and try different ways of coping. She draws on client-centered therapy to follow each person’s priorities, and uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and habits. Trauma-focused approaches are used when past events interfere with day-to-day life.

Her background includes a Master of Social Work from Saint Louis University and a range of roles in schools, foster care, and individual therapy settings. That variety shaped a practical style that values clear goals and steady progress. Outside work she enjoys walking dogs, reading, yoga, and crafts.

People who choose Dina can expect a conversational tone, concrete steps to address pressing problems, and shared planning to reach personal goals. She encourages questions and adapts strategies to each person’s pace and situation.

How Dina’s approaches translate to online therapy

Dina uses client-centered therapy to focus on what matters to each person, following their lead and priorities to set goals and next steps. This approach helps when someone needs flexible pacing or wants to work on relationship and life decisions.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, involves spotting thought patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, or unhelpful habits. It is practical and goal-oriented, useful for day-to-day struggles and coping skills work.

Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on how past experiences affect current reactions and relationships, with techniques to reduce distress and improve functioning. This approach is applied when trauma is part of the story and shows up in present life.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dina will discuss what feels most relevant, try methods that match a person’s needs, and adjust plans together over time. The goal is to find tools that fit the client’s lifestyle and goals.

Please confirm the available session formats before booking, since format details are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, or choose a shorter check-in when schedules are tight. Talk with the therapist about practical arrangements and what will work best for regular meetings.