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Kelsey Butkus, LPC Plymouth child and family therapist and clinical director mala child and family

Kelsy Butkus, LPC

Professional Counselor & Clinical Director

Plymouth & Virtual ‍ ‍

Hello! My name is Kelsy Butkus and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Clinical Director at Mala Child & Family Institute. I know that taking the first step toward healing or change can feel overwhelming and even a scary, but it is also incredibly brave. I’m honored to walk alongside children, families, and adults as they navigate their unique paths toward growth, connection, and healing.


My passion lies in supporting neurodivergent individuals, including both children and adults with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences. I provide neuroaffirming, trauma-informed care that values each person’s lived experience and empowers them to show up as their authentic selves. I also support clients navigating anxiety and behavioral challenges and offer parent coaching to help caregivers build strong, connected relationships with their children.


I take an eclectic, client-centered approach to therapy, tailoring interventions to meet each person exactly where they are. When working with children, I often incorporate child-centered play therapy, allowing them to express themselves in a non-directive, developmentally appropriate way. I also integrate mindfulness practices and emphasize emotional regulation and co-regulation strategies to help clients feel safe, grounded, and empowered.


I am deeply committed to serving diverse populations, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ youth and families. I believe culturally responsive, inclusive care is the foundation for meaningful therapeutic relationships.

As I step into the role of Clinical Director at Mala, I’m excited to support our team in delivering ethical, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming care. I’ll be consulting on complex cases, mentoring licensed clinicians, and helping shape policies that center safety, inclusion, and clinical integrity. This role is a natural extension of my passion for supporting both clients and providers. It allows me to advocate for high-quality care while nurturing a team culture rooted in reflection, collaboration, and heart. I’m honored to help lead a clinic that believes healing happens not just in sessions, but in the systems we build around them.

Work with Kelsy

    • Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Oakland University

    • Bachelors of Science in Psychology, Minors in Communications, Central Michigan University

    • Licensed Profesional Counselor (LPC)

    • ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP)

    • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (ССТР)

    • Certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapist Provider (C-DBT)

    • CPR & First Aid Certified

    • Mandated Reporter Trained

    • ADHD, Autism, & AuDHD

    • Anger, Impulsivity, & Defiance

    • Anxiety, Panic Disorder, & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Developmental Delays

    • Executive Functioning

    • Identity Development

    • Learning Differences & Academic Challenges

    • Parenting or Co-Parenting Difficulties

    • Self-Esteem

    • Sensory Processing

    • Sleep Issues

    • TNB/LGBTQIA2S+ Issues

    • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

    • Family Systems & Attachment-Based Therapy

    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

    • Parent Coaching

    • Play Therapy

  • Individuals, Family, Group

    Children (4 to 10), Preteens, Teens, Adults

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield

    • Blue Care Network

    • Aetna

    • Priority Health

Get to know Kelsy

  • I’ve always been drawn to understanding people and how they make sense of the world around them. Becoming a counselor felt like a natural fit because it allowed me to support others in feeling seen, safe, and empowered to grow through life’s challenges.

  • I love witnessing moments of connection and clarity such as when a child puts words to a feeling for the first time or a parent realizes they are not alone in their struggle. Therapy creates space for healing, and it is an honor to be part of that process.

  • “The relationship is the intervention.” —Dr. Bruce Perry

    It’s a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t come from fixing; it comes from feeling safe, connected, and understood in the relationship.

  • Warm, playful, and collaborative. Whether we’re using toys, stories, or conversation, I aim to create a space where kids and families feel comfortable being themselves, even when things are tough.

  • I’m a huge book lover and always up for a reading challenge! Every year, I try to beat my Goodreads record for most books read. So far, my highest is 151 books in a single year. I'm always looking for my next favorite read!

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