Empowering Your Mental Wellness

Compassionate Experience That Adapts as Your Needs and Healing Evolve

Beach with clouds and grassy dunes.

Thoughtful, Evidence‑Based Treatment

For nearly five decades, Dr. James Payton, a board-certified psychiatrist, has been providing compassionate, individualized psychiatric care to both adults and adolescents throughout North Carolina. Dr. Payton listens to each patient, tailoring science-backed treatments to meet their unique needs.

A collage of flowers and a waterfall

'By carefully listening, I'll help you identify areas of anxiety, depression, and stress in your life. We'll then formulate a plan to reduce stress and improve your quality of life. This plan can involve medications, stress management skills, and reinforcement of positive feelings about yourself.'
~ James Bayard Payton, Psychiatrist, MD

Core Specialties

  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Anxiety, panic, and stress‑related disorders
  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • ADHD in adults and teens
  • Bipolar spectrum disorders
Pink flowers in a sunny field.

Services You Can Rely On

Checklist icon with checkmarks on clipboard.

Comprehensive Evaluations

60‑ to 90‑minute, whole‑person assessments that clarify diagnosis and goals.

A blue and green picture of an image of a brain.

Medication Management

Thoughtful prescribing, adjustment, and close monitoring when research-based medication is appropriate.

Heartbeat monitor with checklist and checkmark.

Diagnostic Clarification

Consults focused on refining or confirming a diagnosis or treatment.

Hand holding a medical kit icon.

Long‑Term Treatment Planning

Ongoing 30, 45, or 60‑minute visits that evolve with your progress.

Video camera icon with play button.

Telepsychiatry

Secure video or phone sessions.

Note:

Private‑pay only (insurance not accepted).
Substance‑use disorders are outside Dr. Payton's scope of practice.

A green background with orange and white lines.
Mountain path with scenic sunset view.

Care Where You Are

Dr. Payton provides expert psychiatric care to patients across the globe through secure virtual sessions. Whether you're nearby in Asheville or connecting from another country, you can access personalized, high-quality mental health support. Flexible scheduling makes it easy to prioritize your well-being—no matter where you are. Request your appointment with Dr. Payton today.

Insights, Tips, & Updates

A close up of some flowers in a vase

Ptsd and Pms…is There a Connection?

A woman who comes to me mentioned that every month she has intense emotions and...
A sunset over the water and grass.

You Are Not a Statistical Average

Almost all research involves larger numbers of people and this allows the results to be...
A beautiful sunset over the mountains with trees in the foreground.

Words of Wisdom

From a tweet by Cory Booker [Mayor of Newark, N.J.]:" give more than is expected,...