Todd Martensen, MSW
Director of Woodland Spring Lodge

Todd Martensen began his professional career working with children and families in 1984 as a residential counselor at Four Oaks, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a comprehensive residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed boys. He also served on the staff of Forest Heights Lodge, a nationally renowned residential program for emotionally disturbed boys. Todd joined Boys &Girls Town of Missouri in 1997 as director of social services. At Boys & Girls Town, Todd served as director of outreach services, where he managed all clinical and family therapy services, and as cottage life activities director. As resident director, he coordinated resident programming to meet children’s therapeutic, education, medical and recreational needs. Todd holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa.

His expertise is in applying the attachment model of relationship building to children’s therapeutic treatment needs. A pilot project he initiated analyzing traditional behavior- based programs compared to the attachment model, served as the base of his research project in graduate school. The data determined the attachment model resulted in better treatment outcomes than the traditional behavior based program used in other treatment environments. As a result, the Relationship Modification Treatment model was implemented as the basis of care in the residential program he oversaw. This program was copyrighted in1996.

Todd joined Woodland Spring Lodge as director in February 2010.

“Serving as director of Woodland Spring Lodge has provided me with the opportunity to channel all of my residential care and program development experiences into a program to work with families whose children struggle with emotional and behavioral interactions within their family, school and community settings,” notes Todd.

“The small treatment environment is an advantage for children and their families to work on their individual interaction treatment needs in a milieu where the treatment focus is solely based on the attachment model of care.

“The treatment staff in the milieu, clinical and education settings all work hand in hand to provide relationship based interventions with children to teach and redirect interactions that have caused problems for the child and their families in the past. Interventions are based on teaching the child the motivation surrounding their disruptive behaviors and providing coping skills the child can use in the future when that same trigger event occurs.”

Pat Banton, M.Ed., LPC, LCSW
Account Executive-Woodland Spring Lodge/Admissions Information
(314) 619-4729
Pat.Banton@woodlandspring.org

Pat brings 20 years experience in mental health treatment services to Woodland Spring Lodge.  She holds a master’s of education in general counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.  She has extensive experience in treating PTSD, substance related disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and psychotic disorders.  Pat began her work in the residential treatment field in 1982, working as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and an administrator at Woodhaven Learning Center in Columbia, Missouri.  She completed graduate school in St. Louis and began working in hospital-based behavioral health programs.  In 1994 she established a private practice with clinical specialty in sexual trauma, domestic violence and relationship issues.  Pat has experience in family education, parenting skills training and serves as a guest lecturer for St. Louis area mental health agencies.

Clinical Staff

Michael R. Banton, M.D.
Psychiatrist

Dr. Banton is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry.  He brings 19 years of clinical experience in private practice, encompassing both inpatient and outpatient psychiatry in the private and public sector, as well as more than 10 years of residential experience.   In addition to clinical work he is an instructor in the department of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo. 

Ruth Ridenhour, MSEd, MC, PLPC
Therapist

Ruth earned her master of science degree in elementary and special education from Missouri State University and her master’s in counseling from Webster University.  She has extensive experience working with children and families within the school system, private agency and in home.  She began working with children and their families in 1992 as a school liaison and an at-risk coordinator in the school setting.  She has worked with high-risk children and families in their homes by helping families build skills to reconnect and foster healthy family relationships through the Intensive In-home Services Program and Department of Social Services Children’s Division.   Ruth has experience in family education, parenting skills training and teacher education by serving as a guest speaker in both conference and university settings on such topics as parenting, dealing with emotionally disturbed students at home and in the classroom, ADHD, child abuse and neglect, mandating reporting and the importance of confidentiality.

Brett Bailey
Director, Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch

Brett Bailey has an extensive background in creating, resourcing and conducting safe, therapeutic outdoor adventure programs for youth and adults. He has several years experience as a child care worker and administrator at a residential treatment center for children. He holds multiple certifications including American Mountain Guides Association Top Rope Site Manager, Professional Climbing Guides Institute Top Rope Guide, Wilderness First Responder, Combat Life Saver, Life Guard Instructor, Leave No Trace Trainer, Safe Crisis Management Instructor, and multiple other safety and technical certifications.  Brett holds a bachelor’s degree in social science education and missions studies from Evangel University.