About Me
Dr. Joey Paynter, Ph.D.
Evolutionary Astrologist, Counselor, Healer and Lecturer
Masters, Clinical Psychology and PhD in Depth Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute
My life, in many ways, has unfolded like a profound game of hide-and-seek. The premature loss of my brother at the tender age of four became an unexpected catalyst, drawing me into a deeper connection with the unseen and the unexplainable. During my childhood, I pulled myself inward, hiding in plain sight, quietly observing and learning the intricate nuances of suffering and sorrow, which became my constant, and sometimes unwelcomed companions.
Yet, there was a profound gift in this hiding—in being unseen—that paradoxically granted me a unique sight. Years later, I began to truly meet and understand the inner crevices of my own wounds, and through that process, I also developed an acute sensitivity to the struggles of others. I learned to navigate the darkness, to welcome difficult emotions, and to transform pain through the expressive power of art.
My educational journey into healing began in 2008, when I earned a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. For the next two years, I served as a resident therapist in a group home for adolescents, ran support groups, and maintained a private practice. While I held a deep respect for the therapeutic container, I felt a compelling desire to integrate more of my inherent creativity into the healing process.
Then, in 2010, astrology entered my life with striking impact after a transformative reading by the renowned evolutionary astrologer, Steven Forrest. I was utterly captivated by how a stranger could understand me so intimately, simply by reading my natal chart. Not long after this pivotal experience I decided to pursue a doctorate in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute with a specialized focus on Jungian and Archetypal studies, beginning in 2013. I immersed myself in Greek mythology, dream analysis, and the exploration of personal archetypes, delving into the powerful myths that reside within each of us and discovering how imagery can unlock deeper engagement with the psyche.
My dissertation, "Seeing the Invisible: An Intimate Encounter with Hades," was a profound exploration into the heart of the Persephone and Hades myth. Through an imaginal and ensouled embodiment of these archetypal figures, this work became a testament to the profound capacity of myth to act as a potent tool, guiding us through life's most difficult and painful transitions. It was, at its core, an act of climbing inside the myth itself, not merely to understand it, but to allow a new, transformative story to be written.
My studies continued under Steven Forrest's mentorship in 2016, culminating five years later in my involvement with the opening of the Forrest Center for Evolutionary Astrology, where I continue to teach, primarily leading the Sacred Counsel Course.
There is an immense richness to be unearthed within our natal charts. Evolutionary astrology has provided me with profound clarity, revealing that I am, quite literally, wired for the work I do today. I am the perpetual seeker—driven to uncover what lies beneath a painted smile, what is hidden behind spoken words. I pay meticulous attention to the subtle cues: the way clients speak, the slight inflection in their tone, their movements, and the emotions that fill (or don't fill) their eyes. I am often acutely aware of the stories that remain unspoken, the feelings beneath emotions, and the profound resonance in the spaces between words.
This intuitive knowing, seamlessly integrated with my rigorous clinical training and extensive studies in Jungian and Archetypal psychology, provides a unique platform for uncovering the depths of another's soul expression. By listening to the distinctive heartbeat found in each person's natal chart and utilizing the profound language of evolutionary astrology, I help bring my clients' individual stories—and their soul's mission—vibrantly to life. I am passionate about creating a sacred space where individuals can meet and engage authentically with the various facets of their own psyche, whether through the powerful alchemical process of talk therapy or by understanding how to work with the symbols in their chart.
My diverse background in psychological studies, combined with an unwavering passion for empowering the human soul, has guided me across 40+ countries as a counselor, healer, lecturer, teacher, and photojournalist. I've had the privilege of providing healing and therapy to refugees, orphans, sex workers, and victims of trauma, and have led support groups for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Some of my most cherished work has been helping the voiceless discover and articulate their own powerful voices.
Today, I specialize in astrology readings and sacred counseling sessions, with a particular focus on relational dynamics, reclaiming personal power, meeting and integrating the inner parts of the self, and I greatly enjoy empowering astrologers to truly excel in their craft. My heart continuously longs to create what has yet to be imagined and to empower others to embrace their fullest, most vibrant lives.
How My Natal Chart Influences My Work
With seven planets in my fifth house, and five of those planets in the sign of Scorpio, my chart reflects that of a woman who must create and look deeply into the world because she knows the world is also deeply looking into her. I am wired to uncover the hidden through a deep form of creative expression that must be shared with others. My chart combines the tension between being hidden and being seen, and it reveals that I am here to live the game of hide and seek. The Scorpio in me wants to hide and withdraw to the depths within, so that I can feel everything and sift out what is real and what is not. The fifth house requires me to express from these darker depths, so that both myself and others might see what is hidden down below.