She received her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology. She has worked at a variety of settings, including university counseling centers, hospitals, and employee assistance programs. She currently has a private practice in Denver and works for the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital. Dr. Payne specializes in using relational and mindfulness based approaches for anxiety reduction, depression, relationship problems, and sport and executive performance enhancement. Dr. Payne also specializes in the psychology of finances and family dynamics.