CEO and President of the Clinical & Forensic Institute (CFI) /Past President of the Florida Psychological Association (FPA)
Dr. Lori J. Butts is the CEO and President of the Clinical & Forensic Institute (CFI) with offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida. After graduating from Clemson University with Honors, Dr. Butts received her law and doctoral psychology degrees from the innovative jointly sponsored program by Villanova School of Law and MCP Hahnemann University Department of Clinical Psychology. Dr. Butts completed her internship in clinical and forensic psychology at New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital, and Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, She fulfilled her residency requirements at CFI where she was trained by Dr. John A. Spencer. Dr. Butts is licensed to practice psychology in Colorado and Florida and is a member of the Florida Bar.
At CFI, Dr. Butts is responsible for the overall coordination and supervision of the various components of service delivery provided by her program staff, which encompasses a comprehensive array of clinical and forensic services. The clinical services include the REACH program for court ordered sexual offender treatment, the LIMITS program, mental health treatment for offenders, individual, family, and group therapy as well as sports and performance interventions. Additionally, CFI offers diversion programs with the City of Hallandale and Town of Davie to assist with providing psychoeducational opportunities to divert individuals from further legal involvement.
The forensic services include forensic psychological evaluations (expert testimony on competency, sanity, alternative sentencing, capital sentencing mitigation, downward departure), case review and annotation, case consultation, witness preparation, direct and cross examination, and jury consultation, education, and selection. Dr. Butts has been admitted as an expert in Florida State Circuit Courts, the United States District Court Southern District of Florida, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.
Dr. Butts is the Past President of the Florida Psychological Association (FPA). She has previously served as the President of the Forensic Division of FPA and the Co-Chair of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Board. Dr. Butts has also served on the Committee on Legal Issues (COLI) for the American Psychological Association. She has received the “What A Woman Award” and has been recognized as a Distinguished Psychologist for her dedication and service to the profession of psychology by the Florida Psychological Association. In 2016, she was recognized as the “Mental Health Professional of the Year” by the Broward County Crime Commission.
