Payten’s path toward supporting young people is rooted in both lived experience and professional training. Diagnosed with severe OCD in elementary school, she spent much of her childhood at home before engaging in several years of intensive exposure therapy. Through persistence and support, she was able to reclaim daily life and return to activities that had once felt out of reach—just in time to begin high school and pursue competitive, year-round soccer.
Payten went on to play soccer at New England College, where she is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. Her personal journey with OCD, combined with her academic background, shapes the empathy, insight, and resilience she brings to her work with adolescents at Mountain Valley.
As a Residential Supervisor, Payten plays an active role in creating a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for residents. She provides day-to-day guidance and support, models coping skills, and ensures that programming is carried out in ways that foster both accountability and growth. Payten values being present with residents during moments of challenge and celebrating the small but meaningful victories that mark progress in treatment. She especially appreciates working with teenagers, who are able to reflect on and engage in the therapeutic process in deeper ways. Payten also enjoys incorporating experiential programming and community outings, introducing residents to activities and places that supported her own growth as a teenager, and helping them discover new strengths and sources of confidence.
Outside of work, Payten continues to find joy in playing soccer, writing music, and spending time with her family. A devoted college football fan, she proudly cheers for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
