Elizabeth Wassenaar, MS, MD, DFAPA, CEDS-C
Regional Medical Director
Pronouns: (She/Her/Hers)
Languages spoken: English
Locations
Biography
Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar is the Regional Medical Director for the Mountain and West regions at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center. Dr. Wassenaar grew up in central Iowa, where her early fascination with the intricacies of human behavior led her to pursue a graduate degree in Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania. After earning her master’s, she transitioned to medical school at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Wassenaar completed her residency in a unique triple board program, encompassing Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her commitment to deepening her expertise in psychotherapy has included extensive training in psychodynamic approaches and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Dr. Wassenaar is passionate about supporting individuals and families as they navigate complex emotional landscapes. She finds fulfillment in guiding patients towards reclaiming their lives and achieving a sense of balance. With experience treating a range of diagnoses, she appreciates the intricacies of human experience and the potential for growth and healing, which inspires her work every day.
Before joining her current role, Dr. Wassenaar served as medical director at a residential treatment facility in Cincinnati, where she integrated diagnostic evaluations with comprehensive psychiatric care. She is board certified in Obesity Medicine and is a certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor, highlighting her dedication to providing informed and compassionate care to those she serves.
Specialties
- Certified Eating Disorder Specialist
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Obesity Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Triple Board
Areas of Interest
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Eating Disorder Treatment
- Mood & Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- PTSD / Trauma
Board Certification
- Adult Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Obesity Medicine
Professional Associations
- American Association of Pediatrics
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals
- Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS)
- The Obesity Society
Education History
2008-2013 | Triple Board Resident: Pediatrics, Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Cincinnati Children's Hospital and University of Cincinatti |
2004-2008 | M.D. (Medicine) Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA |
2001-2003 | M.S. (Pharmacology) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA |
1997-2001 | B.S. (Biology) Calvin College, Grad Rapids, MI |
Advanced Training
2021 | Visiting Fellowship in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Duke University Health System |
2012-2016 | Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institute |
2014 | Family Based Therapy (FBT) Training University of California San Diego Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery |
2007 | Motivational Interviewing for Obesity in the Primary Care Setting DuPont/Nemours Children's Hospital System |