Family therapy and counseling in Rhode Island

Finding a therapist who truly gets your life can feel like a long search. One who sees more than a diagnosis, who doesn't need you to explain yourself before you can get to work. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community, that search often comes with an extra layer: the quiet work of figuring out whether this therapist is actually safe, or whether you'll spend your sessions educating them. With me, you won't have to do that work.

I'm a licensed therapist with more than 22 years of experience in mental health and addiction treatment. I've worked in community mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, correctional settings, and private practice. I've sat with people in some of the hardest moments of their lives and know how to meet them there without flinching.

My primary focus is LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. That includes navigating identity, coming out at any stage of life, relationship dynamics unique to queer and same-sex partnerships, internalized stigma, minority stress, and everything that comes with living authentically in a world that doesn't always make that easy. I also work with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, substance use and dual diagnosis, men's issues, and stress and burnout.

My clinical degree is a Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA, MSW equivalent) from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio (2016). I completed my Master of Education in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) from University of Cincinnati (2016), and have experience as a provider of ABA services. I have a Doctorate in Behavioral Health from Arizona State University(2020).

Maybe it showed up when you became a parent, started a new relationship, went no-contact, searched for (or decided not to search for) biological family, changed careers, or hit a milestone age that cracked things open. Whatever triggered it, you’re probably asking questions like: Who am I really? Why does this hit differently for me? Why does everyone else seem fine when I’m not?

I work with adoptees who are navigating identity, belonging, and the emotional fallout that often comes with major life transitions. A lot of my clients are high-functioning, thoughtful, and exhausted from trying to hold it all together while pretending this stuff doesn’t matter.

My style is warm, direct, and very real—I swear sometimes and I don’t shy away from the hard stuff. I help you understand your nervous system and relationships so you’re not just surviving, but actually getting yourself. If you’re an adoptee in a life shift thinking “something’s off,” you’re not broken—and you don’t have to do this alone.

I’m a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, life transitions, and self-esteem. My style is warm, inquisitive, open-minded, and empowering, with humor mixed in when it fits. I approach therapy with genuine curiosity and want to understand how you see yourself, your experiences, and the world around you. Together, we’ll explore what’s keeping you stuck, build on your strengths, and find a path forward that feels authentic to you.

Hello, I’m Elizabeth Ashley Butler, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with nine years of experience in the mental health field and five years as a fully licensed therapist. My work is grounded in the belief that a strong and healthy client-therapist relationship is essential to successful outcomes in counseling. I see my role as a facilitator—creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space that fosters honesty, trust, healing, and personal growth.

I currently provide therapy to individuals, families, couples and adolescents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I specialize in working with clients facing challenges related to trauma, anger, anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, obesity, stress, life transitions, communication issues, workplace concerns, LGBTQ+ matters, and various mental health diagnoses.

Clinically, I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each client’s needs. My core modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Functional Family Therapy (FFT), along with other integrative techniques as appropriate.

From both personal and professional experience, I’ve come to understand that connection is foundational, acceptance is transformative, and meaningful change—while often challenging—is possible. Change can lead to healing, emotional strength, and a higher quality of life. It also opens the door to new opportunities and helps us break free from generational cycles that no longer serve us.

It would be my privilege to walk alongside you on your journey toward healing, self-awareness, and growth.

I'm Alisha — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MSW with nine years of experience working with teens, adults, and families across Rhode Island. My background began in child welfare and behavioral health, which shaped how I work: I understand that the challenges people bring to therapy often run deeper than what shows up on the surface, and that real progress takes trust, time, and a therapeutic relationship that actually feels safe.

I specialize in anxiety, trauma, family conflict, body image, and women's mental health. I'm particularly passionate about working with Black and mixed-race clients, and I'm committed to offering therapy that is culturally responsive — not just culturally competent on paper, but genuinely attuned to the realities of navigating identity, race, and belonging in everyday life.

I offer sessions in North Kingstown and East Providence, as well as telehealth throughout Rhode Island. I have evening and Saturday morning availability, and I accept Aetna, Cigna, Carelon, and several other major insurance plans. A sliding scale is available for those without coverage.