Meet the Staff - Kathi Butler
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I grew up in a military family, so we moved all over … I think I went to 10 different schools before graduating from high school. In the process I developed a genuine appreciation for the variety of human experience and world views, and a knack for diving right in when the scenery changed. I am delighted to be here at UMaine for my internship, and look forward to the variety of experiences, both personal and professional, that await. As a therapist I predominately utilize a blending of attachment, CBT, and mindfulness. Much of my work has centered around treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. When I am not busy therapist-ing, dissertating, or studying I enjoy a busy life as a mother of three wonderful teenagers (no I am not being sarcastic; I really love the adolescent thing). They give me ample opportunity to do many of the other things I love, such as cooking, hiking, exploring a variety of music, shopping, and just plain horsing around.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
You know those commercials where kids say something completely inappropriate in front of people whose opinion matters (or in the grocery store where peoples’ opinions don’t really matter but it’s still totally embarrassing)…and they try to sell some candy bar as the way to get a child to be quiet… Yes, those commercials that you laughed at. Well, I have three teenagers…I wish it worked. I have had far too many of those moments over the past 16 years…if you wish to encourage the use of birth control in the youthful population I would be happy to make an appearance as a guest speaker and share some of the stories…
What is your favorite comfort food?
I am the carb queen. I love carbs of any kind… fresh baked bread, mashed potatoes, even a bowl of rice! But the ultimate balm for my exhausted and harried intern soul has to be chocolate; I keep a bowl of this instant sanity saver in my office at all times.
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Kosrae Island in Micronesia…scuba diving around some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs, boonie stomping, ruins, cultural roots that are not extremely distorted by frequent tourism, coconut, mangos, breadfruit…this place has it all
Your favorite quote…
We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.
Anais Nin
Role in center
Predoctoral Intern
Areas of interest
Prevention/outreach, specifically around sexual assault and relationship violence, Trauma therapy, Development of any kind, Program evaluation, Theoretical integration
Degrees awarded, in what field, from what school, and when.
MS in Counseling Psychology, Bemidji State University 2008
BS in Child Psychology, University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development 2007
BS in Applied Psychology- Human Services Management, Bemidji State University 2005
kathrine.butler@umit.maine.edu