Eating Disorder Treatment
Pacific, MO

Rebecca received a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice from Indiana University-Bloomington, a M.Ed. in Special education from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and an MSW with a specialization in clinical mental health from Washington University in St. Louis. She has worked in IOP with adolescent substance abuse, general psychiatric residential facilities with children, adolescents, and emerging adults before moving into eating disorder-specific treatment in 2011. She has been a body image therapist, individual therapist, family therapist, clinical director, and site/executive director in eating disorder treatment centers (inpatient through PHP) before coming to Alsana.

She is a licensed independent social worker supervisor in Ohio, a licensed clinical social worker in Alabama and Indiana, and a licensed addictions counselor in Indiana.

Rebecca is enjoying getting to know the different staff and roles that exist at Alsana, and how each role works together to support the Alsana mission.

In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys going to comic book conventions, exploring the local hiking trails, and spending time with her 3 cats.

Dr. Meredith Throop is a practicing psychiatrist treating the 15 and older population. She attended Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology. She continued on to Columbia University in New York to complete the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program. She completed medical school at Saint Louis University and her residency in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at Saint Louis University Hospital. She is board certified through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Dr. Throop has extensive experience as the Vice President of Medical Services at Places for People, a community behavioral health organization, as well as in private practice. She has worked with the Department of Corrections and continues to work with the Probate Courts.

Dr. Throop’s approach is patient-centered/patient-focused. Patient-centered care is a concept that gives primacy to the voice and concerns of the person using the health care service. The goal is to enable and empower patients to better appreciate, and play an active role in their overall health. Dr. Throop aims to take a holistic approach to mental health. She has studied traditional healing systems and medical anthropology in India as well as several countries in Africa.

Niki Vandable is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by trade, and as such, she is a highly trained clinician and manager.  She was an integral part of helping the School of Social Work at Mizzou in developing and operating a free mental health clinic which served as a training site for psychologists and social workers.  This clinic offered no cost behavioral health services to the community.  After graduating Mizzou, she was the Director of Client Services at Circle of Concern for seven years, managing hundreds of volunteers, events, projects and developing/operating the counseling services within the non-profit.  She is well versed in DBT, CBT and other evidenced based practices.  She has supervised students, staff and volunteers.  Her sharp wit and compassionate attitude make her a fun team member and an effective provider.

Stephanie is currently the Nurse Manager at St. Louis – Pacific Area RTC. Steph graduated nursing school with her bachelor’s and spent her career as a nurse in children’s behavioral health, neurology step-down and critical care. She will be attending school in the fall to further her education and get her master’s in nursing. During her free time, she enjoys going to concerts and being with her best friend for life – Yoshi, her chihuahua.

Rachel is a family nurse practitioner who works in private family practice, in addition to working with Alsana. She attended the University of Missouri, St. Louis for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, and has a diverse nursing background which includes working with trauma/ortho, labor & delivery, and urgent care.

Rachel found her passion for working with eating disorders while working in family practice when a colleague spoke about the need for the treatment of medical conditions related to eating disorders. Rachel’s goal is to establish relationships with clients that will help to restore their confidence and trust in the medical treatment of their symptoms that relate to the eating disorder.

Rachel is married with 3 children, and also has a Doberman and a Siamese. She enjoys reading, boating and spending time being active with her family.