Lainey Butler, Ph.D.

Creating a space where you feel safe enough to share and empowered enough to grow.

You might be here because…

Your relationship with food or your body has become exhausting and consuming.
Intrusive thoughts or rituals are taking up more space in your life than you’d like.
You’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and want a therapist who truly gets it.
You feel stuck in the same cycles of people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-criticism.
You’re ready to actually like yourself, not just tolerate yourself

If any of this feels familiar, I’m glad you’re here. Let’s work on it together.

Meet Lainey Butler (she/her)

Hey, I’m Lainey. I’m glad you’re here!

I always knew I wanted to be a psychologist. Not in the “had it all figured out” kind of way, but more that holding space for people just felt right. I genuinely consider it a privilege when someone trusts me with pieces of themselves and their story.

My approach is relational first. The connection between us matters. I also draw from evidence-based therapies like ACT and DBT because I want you to leave with more than insight. I want you to leave with tools that actually work in your real life.

I believe our identities, histories, and the contexts we live in shape the stories we tell ourselves (and the stories we’ve been told). Therapy is a place to explore those narratives, challenge patterns that aren’t working anymore, and create the kind of change you want to see.

I’m especially passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and people struggling with body image or disordered eating. These areas are close to my heart, and I bring both clinical expertise and genuine care to this work.

Outside of therapy, you’ll find me hanging out with my partner and siblings (we’re besties) and smiling at every dog I see.

What Therapy With Me Looks Like

Working with me means having someone in your corner who’s both warm and direct. I won’t just reflect back what you say. I’ll help you dig into it, question it, and figure out what you actually want to do about it.

I use ACT, DBT, and CBT depending on what fits you best. If OCD is part of your picture, I also use ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention), the gold-standard treatment.

Whatever we’re working on, therapy with me is collaborative, affirming, and focused on meaningful change, not just coping.

My Areas of Focus

Body Image: When how you see yourself in the mirror dictates how you feel about yourself as a person, we’ll work on untangling appearance from worth.

Disordered Eating: Whether it’s restriction, bingeing, or a complicated relationship with food, I help you build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with eating.

OCD: Intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can hijack your life. Using ERP, I help you break free from the cycle without giving OCD the power it demands.

Anxiety: From constant worry to panic, I help you understand what’s driving your anxiety and build skills to respond to it differently.

Depression: When motivation disappears and everything feels flat, we’ll work on reconnecting with what matters to you.

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care: Your identity is something to celebrate, not explain. I offer a space where you can explore who you are, process challenges, and feel fully seen.

Self-Esteem & Self-Worth: If your inner critic is louder than your inner advocate, we’ll work on building a relationship with yourself that’s actually kind.

Interpersonal & Relationship Issues: I help you understand how you show up in relationships and what patterns might be getting in the way of deeper connection.

Life Transitions: New chapters can be disorienting even when they’re good. I offer support when you’re figuring out who you are in a new context.

Substance Use: If alcohol or substances have become a coping mechanism you’re ready to examine, I provide nonjudgmental support to explore what’s underneath.

Evidence-Based Care I Use

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helping you connect with your values and build psychological flexibility—so you can move toward what matters even when it’s hard.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Building skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and navigating relationships more effectively.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and shifting the thought patterns and behaviors that keep you stuck.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): The gold-standard treatment for OCD. Gradually facing fears without engaging in compulsions, so they lose their grip.

Who I Help

I work with adults in North Carolina who are ready to stop just getting by and start actually living. You might be a good fit if you:

Struggle with body image or have a complicated relationship with food.
Experience intrusive thoughts, rituals, or compulsions that are taking over.
Identify as LGBTQIA+ and want a therapist who affirms every part of you.
Battle with self-criticism, perfectionism, or never feeling “good enough”.
Are dealing with anxiety or depression that’s getting in the way of life.
Want to understand your relationship patterns and show up differently.
Are navigating a transition and need support figuring out who you are now.
Are ready to do the work. Not just talk, but genuinely change.

Schedule Your Consultation

Ready to Take the First Step?

You don’t have to have everything figured out to reach out. If something on this page spoke to you, that’s enough. Schedule a free consultation to see if we are a fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect in our first session?

Our first session is about getting to know each other and building trust. I’ll ask about what’s bringing you to therapy, a bit about your background, and what you’re hoping to get out of our work. You’ll have space to ask me anything too. No pressure to share more than feels comfortable. We go at your pace.

How long does therapy typically last?

It depends on what you’re working through and what your goals are. Some people come for a few months to address something specific; others stay longer for deeper work. We’ll check in along the way to make sure therapy is still serving you.

Do you specialize in eating disorders?

I specialize in body image concerns and disordered eating, which can include a range of struggles with food, weight, and self-image. If you have a diagnosed eating disorder requiring a higher level of care, I can help connect you with appropriate resources and potentially support you as part of a treatment team.

What is ERP and how does it help with OCD?

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the most effective treatment for OCD. It involves gradually facing the situations or thoughts that trigger anxiety while resisting the urge to do compulsions. Over time, this breaks the cycle and reduces OCD’s power over your life. It’s challenging but incredibly effective.

Do you prescribe medication?

As a psychologist, I don’t prescribe medication, but I’m happy to collaborate with psychiatrists or prescribers if that’s part of your care. I can also provide referrals if you’re interested in exploring medication.

What's the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?

A psychologist holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) with extensive training in assessment, research, and evidence-based treatment. While all psychologists are therapists, not all therapists are psychologists. My training gives me a deep understanding of the science behind what works in therapy.

What does "LGBTQIA+ affirming" actually mean?

It means your identity isn’t something to fix, question, or work around—it’s part of who you are, and it’s welcome here. I have specific training and experience working with LGBTQIA+ communities, so you won’t have to educate me or justify yourself.

Do you accept insurance?

We do not bill or accept insurance directly. However, we provide detailed receipts (superbills) that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, depending on your plan.

What if we're not a good fit?

Totally okay—fit matters a lot in therapy. If we meet and it doesn’t feel right, I’ll help connect you with someone who might be a better match. No hard feelings.