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 Alternative Psychiatry, where he practices Functional Psychiatry and Integrative Health, he also currently serves as medical director of Centerpointe Counseling and Recovery, Sarasota Addiction Specialists, and the Suncoast Harm Reduction Project aimed at reducing opioid related overdose deaths. 

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.

Abigail takes pride in working closely with her patients to determine their unique needs. She is passionate about providing high quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health services to her patients. Her mission is to work closely with patients to assist in giving them the support, tools, and proper education needed to reach their wellness goals. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, The Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, The National Society of Leadership and Success and The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association.

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.

Megan Earles,

LCSW

Megan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist. She provides individual, couple, and family therapy in her private practice. She is also a Qualified Supervisor providing clinical supervision for Registered Clinical Social Work Interns seeking licensure in Florida. She received her Master of Social Work degree from The Ohio State University in 2007 and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wright State University in 2005.

She has experience working with clients of all ages, with a current focus on adolescents and adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, OCD, dissociation, and unhealthy coping patterns. Megan is a trauma specialist and believes in the importance of integrating the mind and body during the healing process. Her approach to therapy is eclectic and she tailors therapy to each client’s individual and unique needs. She uses several therapeutic modalities in therapy including: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), mind-body therapies, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) all of which she uses to support her clients in their personal growth and healing.

Prior to establishing her own private practice, she worked in various mental health settings including: The Ohio State University’s student counseling center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, partial-hospitalization and residential centers for children and adolescents, and various outpatient therapy clinics both in Ohio and Florida.

Austin Cain,

Practice Manager

Austin is the Practice Manager at Alternative Psychiatry. She has worked in various management roles and is a skilled administrative professional. Her job at Alternative Psychiatry is to help our patients access the care they need. She also manages the day to day operations of the practice and the other staff. She is committed to ensuring that our patients have a positive experience, and works as a liaison between patients and providers.  Alternative Psychiatry would not be the same without Austin’s skillful guidance, analytical skills, and caring commitment to patients and staff. She is excited about integrating all her combined experience into her role as Practice Manager. Austin considers herself a visionary who is passionate, enthusiastic and driven to inspire growth and positive change in whatever environment she is in.

Lyndsay Bell,

Patient Care Specialist

In her role as Patient Care Specialist, Lyndsay will share information about our practice with prospective patients and is a guide through the process of establishing care as a new patient. She is a concierge for our patients, welcoming all. Lyndsay manages all patient-related administration and is the primary contact for our practice.  Lyndsay brings with her a wealth of experiences in various fields. Lyndsay has a natural ability to make patients and staff feel welcomed. She loves to see people achieve their goals and has a passion for helping others. She is a mentor to her colleagues and an advocate for our patients.  Lyndsay is excited to be a part of a healthcare team who share the common goal of helping people find true healing through Functional and Integrative Psychiatry.  As one of the first faces you’ll see when you arrive at Alternative Psychiatry, she hopes to make you feel welcomed on your healing journey with us.