Lisa Butler

Lisa D. Butler is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo. She specializes in trauma studies, resilience, and the care needs of veterans and their families. Her research integrates trauma-informed frameworks with human rights perspectives and explores dissociative processes, particularly in clinical training contexts.

Dr. Butler holds a PhD in Psychology from Stanford University and a BSc in Philosophy and Psychology from the University of Toronto. She has received the NIMH National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship. Her work emphasizes self-care in clinical education and the intersection of trauma with societal issues like commercial sexual exploitation and veteran healthcare gaps.

Key research interests include:

• Trauma and human rights violations
• Veteran/military family care specialization
• Anticipatory trauma symptoms
• Dissociation in digital contexts
• Mental health representation in film

Her articles analyze trauma measurement tools, pedagogical approaches to trauma education, and the impact of social media design on dissociative behaviors. She co-directs Joining Forces-UB, a multidisciplinary initiative providing specialized training for working with veterans and military families.

Scientific contributions include:

• Developing trauma-informed educational policies
• Evaluating clinical training stressors
• Advocating for veteran healthcare access reforms

Dr. Butler’s teaching includes courses on trauma and human rights, personality disorders, and veteran care practices. She actively serves on editorial and advisory boards for trauma-focused journals and professional organizations.