CLAYTON BEHAVIORAL - Key Persons
Dr. Tamaren has been in private practice for more than 25 years, treating anxiety, depression, relationship issues and stress management. He serves as the Clinical Director for Clayton Behavioral's Distressed Physicians and Executives Program.
Dr. Montani is an experienced provider for a wide variety of conditions including depression, anxiety, adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and addictions. He is a licensed provider of buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) for opioid addiction and offers genetic testing where appropriate.
Job Titles:
- Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry at Washington University
Dr. Vander Kooi completed his degree in pharmacy in 1997 at the University of Iowa and passed the pharmacy board that same year. He deferred entry to medical school for one year in order to study abroad at Stockholms Universitet in Stockholm, Sweden. He completed his degree in medicine at the University of Iowa in 2002 and finished his psychiatry residency at Washington University in St. Louis in 2006. While in school, Dr. Vander Kooi was the recipient of multiple academic awards throughout both pharmacy and medical school.
Dr. Vander Kooi is board certified in adult psychiatry and specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, as well as substance use disorders and is certified to prescribe Suboxone for the treatment of opiate dependence.
Dr. Vander Kooi is an instructor in clinical psychiatry at Washington University. He is an active provider of inpatient services including both inpatient and outpatient ECT at Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.
Kristen Carothers, MSW, LCSW, earned her Master's Degree in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, with a focus in Mental Health and a specialty in Family Therapy. She brings over 26 years of experience treating adolescents, adults, families, and older adults. Kristy has practiced in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, emergency departments, public schools, and outpatient psychiatric treatment centers. She has extensive experience treating Anxiety, Depression, families dealing with Substance Use Disorders, Trauma and Attachment issues, and Grief and Loss.
Laila Merz, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (in MO & CA) and received her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology - San Diego, California. She completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Kaiser-Permanente - San Francisco. Dr. Merz is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Medicine, and Interpersonal Therapy and Christian Counseling. She has been treating clients within a range of treatment settings, including 24 Hour Residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and weekly Individual and Group Outpatient treatment programs since 1999. She has worked at Kaiser-Permanente (Redwood City and San Francisco), Castlewood Treatment Center, McCallum Place, and Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine (SLBMI). She has also been an Adjunct Psychology Professor at Maryville University in Saint Louis. Her specialties are in an array of clinical areas, such as, anxiety/mood - disorders, eating disorders, addictions, marital and family dynamics, psycho-physiological ailments (mind-body connection), trauma recovery, and self-harm. Dr. Merz has extensive experience working with children/adolescents, adults, couples, marital, families, and blended-families/divorce care. She has an additional specialty and great passion in Christian Counseling.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Owner and Director of Plan Your Recover
Ned is the owner and director of Plan Your Recover y, an outpatient treatment program for substance use and co-occurring disorders. To inquire about treatment at Plan Your Recovery, call or text 314-467-8393 or email Ned at npresnall@planyourrecovery.com.
Dr. Simpson moved to Saint Louis to attend Washington University School of Medicine where he remained for his residency training. After a four year period at Malcolm Bliss Community Health Center, where he was out-patient director, inpatient director and director of residency training, Dr. Simpson has remained in private practice and continues as an assistant professor of clinical psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine.
Job Titles:
- Social Work Practicum Student