(SHE/HER/HERS)
Hello, I am Brooklyn Payton. I am an associate clinical social worker earning my postgraduate clinical hours towards licensure. I am a Bay Area Native, born and raised in Oakland, California. I earned my bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco and moved to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies in social work. I earned my Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Southern California with a focus on children, youth, and families, as well as public child welfare. I completed a year-long practicum providing individual and group therapy to transitional age foster youth. Additionally, I have seven years of experience providing direct case management services, mental health linkage, and referrals to community-based resources to foster youth, children, and families in the home setting. I have completed a 40-hours domestic violence certification. I am also a 200-hour certified yoga instructor and have facilitated free and low-cost restorative yoga classes for fellow mental health providers, caretakers, and high school students.
As a Black woman, I understand the unique layers and intersections of environmental stressors that are consistently present for marginalized communities. I also recognize the connection between our emotional and physical health, as well as the impact trauma can have on that relationship. I operate from a critical and anti-oppressive lens. With this knowledge and guidance from my clinical supervisor, I will utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness and somatic interventions (such as yoga and breath work) to help clients identify improved coping strategies and tools to manage life transitions, stress, interpersonal relationships, depression, and anxiety. I aim to provide an affirming space that makes room for vulnerable reflection, self-compassion, self-acceptance, connection, and forgiveness. I am committed to supporting the client's journey and look forward to working with you.
I currently provide therapy to clients who reside in the following cities and towns in the state of California.
Los Angeles | Carson | Torrance | Redondo Beach | Hawthorne | Gardena | Long Beach | Compton | Inglewood | Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw | View Park-Windsor Hills | Ladera Heights | Culver City | Santa Monica | Marina Del Rey | Westchester | Burbank | East Los Angeles | Lancaster | Riverside | Moreno Valley | Palmdale | San Bernardino | San Diego | Fresno | Oakland | San Jose | Sacramento | East Bay Area | Haywood | Vallejo | Palo Alto | Davis | Stanford | Stockton | Menlo Park | San Francisco | Elk Grove | Brentwood | San Mateo | Santa Cruz | Berkeley | Chico.
I look forward to servicing clients in other towns, cities, and counties within the state of California as well.