Michael  Payne
Vetted

Michael Payne

He/Him/His

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW Specialties Insurance & Fees Locations
Virginia, Florida, Washington DC Accepting Online
Alexandria Accepting In-person
Updated October 24, 2023

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Stress management
  • Loss and grief
  • Relationships

Professional statement

Michael Payne, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and wellness consultant who brings more than two decades of experience to helping individuals, couples, and families live happier and healthier lives. He provides virtual therapy services to clients in Florida, Virginia, and Washington, DC through a convenient and secure patient portal.

Hearts and Minds Health was created with the goal of optimizing your mental health through improved understanding and harmony between your cognitive and emotional states. The "heart" of HM Health relates to cultivating emotional well-being. For some, that's about being able to manage strong feelings. For others, it’s identifying and expressing emotions more clearly. Healing from a break-up, loss, or a painful past also involves heart-based work. In contrast, mental challenges like anxiety, negative self-talk, and avoidance may call for mind-based strategies. Michael also employs body-awareness, mindfulness and relaxation techniques to help anchor our thinking and feeling selves more fully in the body.

The first step is listening – learning why you’re here, outlining your goals for improvement, and envisioning a path forward. Michael has extensive experience helping adolescents and adults work through such challenges as anxiety, depression and lack of fulfillment, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, emotional regulation, boundary-setting, grief and loss, gender identity and sexual orientation, spiritual struggles, interpersonal relationships, and difficult transitions.


Message to clients

Thank you for your interest in Hearts and Minds Health. It’s my belief that we are at our best when our hearts and minds are in harmony. When one hurts, the other suffers. When one heals, the other mends. It’s only by listening to and understanding both your mental and emotional states that you can achieve purpose and fulfillment in life.

I grew up in a military family on the move. I know what it’s like to have to adapt to sudden changes while keeping a "stiff upper lip". I identify as a cisgender gay man. I've felt the weight of a secret and the shame of pretending to be something you’re not. In a former career, I worked in the corporate world. There, I learned what it’s like to feel the pressure to perform and the emptiness of the daily grind.

Out of these stories, have come a search for meaning and purpose which I’ve found in helping others lead happier and healthier lives. Before becoming a therapist, I was as a documentary filmmaker. I still interview people for a living. But now I’m asking different questions, listening for self-defeating patterns and limiting beliefs while transforming tired, old narratives into brighter, new ones. That’s my story. I want to hear yours. Let’s create a new story together.


Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life

Stress management - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others

Loss and grief - Emotionally preparing for the anticipated passing of a loved one; managing feelings and reactions to a death or loss of significance; support during the process of healing and acceptance

Relationships - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating




Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Parents
  • Seniors (65+)
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Insurance

Michael Payne is not in-network with any insurances.

Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.


Out-of-pocket fees

  • Individual sessions: $170 (50min)
  • Initial session: $170 (50min)
  • Couples sessions: $200 (50min)
  • Group sessions: $80 (60min)
  • Family sessions: $200 (50min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Every other week
  • Multiple times a week
  • As needed

Location(s)

Alexandria practice
2202 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 3rd Floor, Alexandria, Virginia 22301
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Tue 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Virginia)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Tue 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Florida)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Tue 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Online Sessions (Washington DC)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Tue 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 9:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri Closed
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Years of Experience: 27 years

Hearts and Minds Health, Owner, Psychotherapist, 2008 - Present
Parkhurst and Associates, Associate, Psychotherapist, 2003 - 2008
Larry Harmon, PhD, and Associates, Psychotherapist, 2001 - 2003
The Center for Mental Health, Psychotherapist, 1998 - 2000
Whitman-Walker Clinic, Case Manager, 1997 - 1998

Virginia Commonwealth University, Masters in Social Work, 1997
University of Virginia, B.A. in Psychology, 1985


Licensure

Virginia: 0904006787

Washington DC: LC303339

Florida: SW6341


Languages

English


Client testimonials

"Good call and really nice approachable guy."
- Zencare client • April 2022