Therapist in Lee’s Summit MO

An IFS-inspired, trauma-informed, & LGBTQIA+ affirming therapist that helps you reclaim your identity, voice, and confidence

 
Marci Payne, therapist/counselor
 
 

Welcome, I’m Marci Payne (she/her). I’m happy you are here! A little about me…

I’ve always rooted for the underdog, had my heart open for the outcast, been a great listener, a natural nurturer, and a strategic problem solver. Studying to become a therapist in college was a natural career choice. In my 30 years as a therapist, I’ve worked with people of all ages and backgrounds, navigating life's most challenging transitions and relationship issues.

I especially enjoy working with people who identify with parts that cope through people-pleasing, caretaking, and peacekeeping. I'm intimately aware of how putting yourself last can lead to chronic pain, loneliness, resentment, burnout, and unhappy relationships.

I'm also very familiar with putting off big life decisions, hoping for change in others, or trying one more thing. Through my own healing journey, I’ve transformed deeply held wounds, shifted relationship patterns, created nourishing routines, learned to love my body, embraced vulnerability, and used my voice in clear, kind ways.

Now, my deep desire is to help you live more fully into the truth of who you are — not who the world, your family, your childhood religion, or dominant culture tells you to be. I help you fall in love with who you are, what you value, and what you truly desire. We do this by creating space for you to not only feel seen and heard by me, but, crucially, by yourself.

I help you connect with yourself more lovingly, empowering you to make the big decisions you’ve been putting off, heal the wounds you’ve carried, and care for yourself more each day. 

Therapist FAQs

 

  • I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri since 2001.

  • I completed my Mater’s (MA) in Clinical Psychology in 1997. So I have over 25 years of experience as a therapist in a variety of settings and many different forms of therapy.

  • Here are the highlights of my professional and educational training:

    • 1995: Bachelor’s in Psychology, University of MO - Columbia

    • 1997: Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Eastern Illinois University

    • 2001: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Missouri

    • 2010-2016: Bowen Family Systems Theory

    • 2018: Discernment Counseling

    • 2018: Life Coach Training

    • 2019: Transform Self-Sabotage & Self-Bullying Into Self-Love

    • 2020: Mindful Self-Compassion

    • 2021: Self-Love Essentials

    • 2022: Cultural Somatics (Qoya study group)

    • 2022: Undo Patterns of Pleasing & Appeasing

    • 2022: Integrative Somatic Parts Work (Level 1, 2, & 3)

    • 2024: Navigate Relationship Rupture & Build Skills of Repair

    • 2024: Decolonize your Business (DCC community, ongoing)

    I have about 50 hours of training in IFS (or parts work). In September 2025, I’m excited to begin certification in IFS.

  • I love learning about anything that lights me up and helps me grow and heal. I’ve personally studied:

    • self-love

    • feminine wisdom

    • human design

    • cyclical living (Earth, menstrual, & moon cycles)

    • 5 elements

    • astrology

    • intuitive movement

    • QiGong (energy practices)

  • Yes, I want you to feel safe to bring all identities and backgrounds to the therapy room.

    As a trauma-informed, IFS-inspired, LGBTQIA+-affirming, and liberation-focused therapist, I am a lifelong learner. I’m actively learning, unlearning, deconditioning, and doing my own healing work.

    I hold and acknowledge that we may have different lived experiences. I am a white, cis-hetero, able-body-presenting, spiritual-non-religious woman.

    My intention is to welcome all parts of you. And to guide you to become a resource to yourself, no matter what life throws at you.

    • I use she/her pronouns.

    • I was born in St. Louis, MO in the 1970s

    • I have 2 kids headed to college.

    • I’ve been married for 28 years, and we will be empty nesters in fall 2025.

    • I am a Virgo Rising, Scorpio Sun, & Pisces Moon. (I’m also a 5/1 Generator - for Human Design fans.)

    • I am spiritual, but not religious.

    • I love being in nature and mindful nature photography.

    • I drink herbal tea every day & created my own home herbal tea bar.

    • I love organizing, learning, and also connecting with others on a deep level.

    • I always thought of myself as non-artisitic, until middle adulthood. Now I enjoy art journaling, painting, and mixed media.

    • I also love live music and curating playlists on Spotify of mostly “high vibe” music.

My Values As a Therapist

  • therapy business values

    Authenticity

    I value all people being freer to be themselves. And I acknowledge there are some settings and relationships where this is unsafe. I am committed to doing my part to show up as myself and allow you to do the same.

  • therapy business values

    Compassion

    We all deserve compassion, even when giving it to ourselves and others is hard. I’m committed to helping you access compassion for yourself no matter what you are navigating in life and relationships.

  • therapy business values

    Transparency

    I value honesty and vulnerability as much as I value growth and transformation. I am committed to being open about changes I make in my business. And I am devoted to my own learning, healing, and wellness.

Explore My Services

return home to yourself

return home to yourself

Are you interested in individual therapy?

Individual therapy for adults is available in person in Lee’s Summit and online for Missouri residents. Please schedule a free, introductory phone call with me so we can determine if we are a good fit.