About Us

About Alternative Psychology

Alternative Psychiatry has highly qualified psychiatrists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, psychotherapists and clinical resource liaisons. We care about providing the best quality mental health care to our Patients.

We know that our patients are entitled to the most convenient, affordable, and accessible psychiatric and psychotherapeutic services and strive to live up to that goal. Alternative Psychiatry offers a full range of services, including medication management. We help under or uninsured individuals, under-served populations, and the general public.

Our Team

Mark Sylvester, MD ABAM

Mark Sylvester, MD, ABAM, was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. He received his medical education at the University of Miami and training at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Sylvester received graduate education in Neuropsychopharmacology and Psychobiology. He is board certified in Psychiatry & Neurology as well as Addiction Medicine. In addition to caring for his patients with FCITT, Dr. Sylvester practices Functional Psychiatry and Integrative Health at Alternative Psychiatry.

Dr. Sylvester is an adjunct faculty member at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) where he lectures and clinically trains medical students. He is active in research and is published in the Journal of Biomechanics, Journal of Global Drug Policy, and American Journal of Psychiatry, on topics related to biomechanics, obesity/food addiction, professionalism, addiction in clinical practice, and psychiatric symptoms in end-of-life care.

Abigail Butterfield, APRN

Abigail Butterfield was born and raised in Massillon, Ohio and relocated to Florida in 2017. She is an Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner certified to practice by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She completed her undergraduate degree earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Walsh University in 2010. She worked as a registered nurse for several years on a surgery and trauma floor and gained additional experience while covering on medical/surgical, physical rehabilitation and urology units as well. She completed her graduate degree at Walden University in 2010 earning a Master of Science in Nursing. She has been practicing since 2014 as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse and gained experience in Behavioral health and Addiction Recovery, Hospice and Palliative care, transitional care, home care, extended care facilities and independent living in addition to working in the primary care setting, walk in clinic and via telemedicine.

Sandra Hatfield, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Sandra was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. Her nursing career began in 2000, and she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Western Governor’s University. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing degree specializing in psychiatry from Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky.

Sandra is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and licensed in FL, NC, SC, and IL.

In her spare time, Sandra enjoys playing her guitar or taking walks with her 15-year-old schnauzer, Daisy. She is a member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.