Meet The Providers
Misty Hinkle, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Misty Hinkle is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) who brings both clinical expertise and heartfelt compassion to her work with individuals across the lifespan. While working as a registered nurse in hospital settings, Misty observed firsthand the disparity in care between those with medical conditions and those living with mental health or substance use disorders. This experience fueled her commitment to continue her education and become a dedicated advocate for individuals navigating mental health and substance misuse challenges.
Misty offers a holistic, compassionate, and personalized approach to care. She provides evaluation, diagnosis, and medication management for a range of conditions including depression, anxiety, trauma/PTSD, autism spectrum disorder, insomnia, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder, medical-induced and substance-induced mood disorders, ADHD, severe mental illness, and substance use disorders (SUD). Her practice integrates empathy, evidence-based treatment, and collaboration to support each patient's unique goals.
In her free time, Misty enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.
Misty is licensed in MA, UT, DE, NJ, NY, WA, KY, CO, AZ and GA.
Nena Butterfield, PhD, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Nena Butterfield is a seasoned Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and experimental psychologist with over 15 years of experience spanning autism research, substance use disorders, and complex psychiatric care across the lifespan. She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Bristol, UK, and earned her PMHNP degree magna cum laude from Regis College in Massachusetts.
Before entering psychiatric nursing, Dr. Butterfield built a distinguished academic and clinical research career. Her postdoctoral work at the University of Alabama Autism Clinic focused on developmental disorders and led to multiple peer-reviewed publications in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Her academic contributions reflect deep expertise in cognitive inhibition, child development, and behavior modification.
Dr. Butterfield has held leadership roles including Director of Operations at Pavillon International, where she led EMR implementation, team oversight, and community relations. Her diverse clinical background includes community mental health, emergency psychiatry, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and integrated care. She also designed and led one of only three national programs for children of addiction, inspired by the Jerry Moe Model from the Betty Ford Center.
At Ascend Psychiatry, Dr. Butterfield brings a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to treating depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and complex psychiatric presentations. Her patients benefit from her extensive knowledge, warm interpersonal style, and her holistic commitment to healing.
Dr Butterfield is licensed in MA and NC.
Joanne St. John
Founder and Managing Member, Ascend Psychiatry
After more than 25 years of leadership in the biotech industry, Joanne St. John made a life-changing decision: to build the kind of mental health practice she wished had existed for her own family. As the parent of a child with special needs, Joanne experienced firsthand the overwhelming frustration of trying to access timely, compassionate psychiatric care—navigating endless phone trees, long waitlists, and a system that too often failed to respond when it mattered most.
Determined to create something better, she founded Ascend Psychiatry: a practice grounded in empathy, responsiveness, and clinical excellence. Joanne’s mission is simple but powerful—to build a place she would trust to care for the people she loves most. Under her leadership, Ascend Psychiatry prioritizes accessible, high-quality care for individuals and families across Massachusetts, Delaware, and Utah with a team of providers who are as compassionate as they are skilled.
Joanne brings not only a wealth of operational expertise but also a personal commitment to transforming how mental health care is delivered. She is proud to lead a practice that reflects her values and truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
Kayla Johnson
Patient Coordinator
Kayla Johnson brings a strong background in mental health administration and patient care to her role as Patient Coordinator at Ascend Integrative Medicine. With over three years of experience in the field, Kayla has developed a deep understanding of the patient journey—from first contact at the front desk to active clinical support.
She began her career in mental health as a front desk administrator and quickly advanced to a more hands-on role, assisting with the administration and monitoring of Spravato treatments for individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Most recently, Kayla served as an Infusion Coordinator at a medical infusion suite, where she provided patient-centered care and helped streamline access to innovative therapies.
At Ascend, Kayla is committed to creating a welcoming, efficient, and supportive experience for every patient. Her blend of compassion, clinical coordination, and operational expertise makes her an invaluable part of the team.