William Butler, MD
Thoughtful psychiatric care, psychotherapy, consultation, and medical education.
About
I am a board-certified psychiatrist with fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with professional interests in clinical care, psychotherapy, medical education, scholarship, and physician leadership. I believe effective psychiatric care begins with understanding the individual rather than simply treating a diagnosis. My approach emphasizes careful assessment, diagnostic clarity, and collaborative treatment planning before developing individualized recommendations, which may include psychotherapy, medication, or an integrated approach tailored to each person's needs.
I completed residency training in Adult Psychiatry and fellowship training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital through Harvard Medical School. I am the Co-Founder of Boston Psychiatry Center, where I provide outpatient psychiatric care and help lead clinical program development.
Teaching and mentorship are an important part of my professional life. I serve as Co-Director of the Psychiatry Leadership Program for the Massachusetts General Brigham psychiatry residency programs, and precept psychiatric nurse practitioner students through the Massachusetts General Brigham University of Health Professions. My educational interests include clinical reasoning, psychotherapy, leadership, and professional development.
Beyond my clinical and educational work, I remain active in organized psychiatry through national professional organizations. I serve as a Trustee of the Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry, contribute to psychiatric scholarship through peer-reviewed publications, editorial work, and educational initiatives.
Areas of Focus
Mood, Anxiety & Emotional Health
I work with individuals whose anxiety or mood symptoms feel persistent, confusing, or resistant to standard treatment. This often includes situations where symptoms overlap, shift over time, or don’t fully fit a single diagnosis.
ADHD, Autism & Neurodevelopment
I provide consultation for adolescents and adults with ADHD, autism, or related neurodevelopmental differences, particularly when challenges involve identity, relationships, academic or professional demands, or system-level misunderstandings.
Relationships & Emotional Patterns
Many people seek care when recurring relational patterns, conflict, withdrawal, overfunctioning, or emotional volatility, begin to interfere with work, family, or intimacy. My approach emphasizes understanding these patterns before deciding how to intervene.
Diagnostic Consultation
I offer time-limited psychiatric consultation for individuals, families, clinicians, and schools seeking diagnostic clarity, second opinions, or help making sense of complex clinical pictures when progress has stalled.
Psychotherapy & Medication
When ongoing care is appropriate, I provide focused, depth-informed treatment and frequently collaborate with therapists, schools, and other professionals to ensure care is coherent and well-coordinated.
Education and Training
Teaching is an important part of my professional work. I serve as Co-Director of the Psychiatry Leadership Program for the Massachusetts General Brigham (MGB) and McLean Hospital psychiatry residency programs and precept psychiatric nurse practitioner students through the MGB University of Health Professions.
Approach to Care
Thoughtful psychiatric care begins with understanding. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual rather than a predetermined model.
Consultation & Assessment
Initial consultations are designed to develop a thorough understanding of your concerns rather than move immediately to treatment. Together, we explore current symptoms, personal history, relationships, strengths, and the factors that may be contributing to difficulties. The goal is thoughtful diagnostic formulation and clear, individualized recommendations.
For some individuals, a single consultation provides the clarity needed to move forward. Others choose ongoing work, either with me or in collaboration with their existing treatment team. When appropriate, I may also review prior records, speak with family members or other clinicians (with permission), and coordinate care to support a comprehensive assessment.
Ongoing Work
When ongoing care is appropriate, treatment is structured around your individual needs rather than a predetermined schedule. Depending on the situation, care may include:
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Ongoing psychiatric care
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Integrated psychotherapy and medication management
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Diagnostic consultation and second opinions
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Collaboration with therapists, schools, and other healthcare professionals
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Family consultation when appropriate
Treatment plans are reviewed regularly and adapted over time as goals, circumstances, and clinical needs evolve.
Fees vary by service type. Butler Psychiatric Services operates outside insurance networks to provide greater flexibility in consultation length, treatment planning, and coordination of care. For individuals seeking outpatient psychiatric care, please visit Boston Psychiatry Center.
Professional Consultation Request
If you're interested in a consultation, professional collaboration, speaking engagement, or have a general question, please complete the form below. I'll review your inquiry and respond if I believe I'm able to help. For individuals seeking ongoing outpatient psychiatric care, please visit Boston Psychiatry Center.
Contact Information
Offices
- Downtown Boston, MA
- Belmont, MA