About Dina
Dina Payne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois who aims to make difficult conversations feel manageable. She creates a calm, non-judgmental space so people can talk about stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, depression, addiction, and ADHD concerns. Dina wants clients to feel heard and to leave sessions with clear next steps toward their goals.
She earned a Master of Social Work at Saint Louis University in 2008 with emphasis on school social work and marriage and family work.
Background and approach
Over nine years of clinical practice, she has worked in schools, with the foster care system, on a college campus, and as an individual therapist. That range gave her experience with many life stages and everyday problems. In sessions she focuses on practical, straightforward approaches.
She listens first, then helps people set small, achievable goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to spot unhelpful thinking and change behavior patterns. Client-centered methods guide the pace and priorities of the work.
Dina also brings trauma-focused tools when past experiences get in the way of daily life. She supports people through grief, attachment difficulties, intimacy questions, and issues tied to identity and relationships. Conversations include concrete strategies for coping and repairing relationships.
Outside of work she enjoys walking dogs, reading, yoga, and crafts. Those everyday interests reflect a down-to-earth style that many people find easy to connect with.
Online Approaches and How They Help
Dina combines client-centered work with cognitive behavioral and trauma-focused methods to address everyday struggles. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and following the client's lead so goals reflect what matters most. This approach helps people feel understood and builds trust before tackling change.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It is useful for anxiety, depression, ADHD-related routine problems, and for building practical coping skills. Trauma-Focused Therapy carefully addresses past events that continue to cause distress and teaches tools to manage reactions and rebuild daily functioning.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dina starts by listening to your situation and goals, then suggests methods that fit your needs and preferences. She checks in regularly to adjust the plan and keeps work focused on achievable steps.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy flexible. Video calls let you use visual cues and longer conversation blocks. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text messaging can fit quick check-ins, brief coaching, or when a shorter touchpoint is needed during a busy day. These options help make therapy more accessible around work, school, and family schedules.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Multicultural concerns
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 9 years
- Licensed
- Illinois
- Languages
- English
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