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

Kelsy Butkus, LPC

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.

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

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

    • Child-Centered Play Therapy

    • Parent Coaching & Psychoeducation

    • Clinical Supervision & Training

    • Family Systems & Attachment-Based Work

    • Interdisciplinary Collaboration

    • Program Development

    • Trauma-Informed Care

    • Behavioral & Emotional Regulation

    • Group Facilitation

    • 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

  • Individuals, Family, Group

    Children (6 to 10), Preteen, Teen, Adults

    Allied with and experience supporting clients in Bisexual Allied, Body Positivity, Gay Allied, Lesbian Allied, Non-Binary Allied, Queer Allied, Racial Justice Allied, Transgender Allied

  • Plymouth & Remote

Get to know Kelsy

  • As a teenager, I knew I loved both science and working with children, and when I got to college, I realized that child psychology was a perfect blend of the two. I also knew from working with many families, as well as from my own and my loved ones' experiences, the toll that anxiety and depression can take on an individual, especially as they develop and grow. When it was time for more training, I learned research techniques and therapy skills with a special emphasis on youth depression and anxiety.

  • I love getting to know each client and their hopes for the future, then cheering them on as they move closer and closer to their goals! 

  • "You are worth the time it takes to learn a new skill" - Mercury Stardust (about DIY home maintenance, but super relevant to mental health!)

  • I hope sessions with me feel like a walk in the woods - flexible enough that we can pause and take detours, but always guided by a path set by your goals.