Elizabeth Wassenaar, MS, MD, DFAPA, CEDS-S
Pronouns: (she/her)
Languages spoken: English
Clinical Locations
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.
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
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
Areas of Interest
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Eating Disorder Treatment
- Mood & Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- PTSD / Trauma
Board Certification
- American Board of Pediatric (Board Qualified)
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- American Board of 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
2001 | Calvin College, Grad Rapids, MI BS, Biology, Biochemistry Minor |
2003 | University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA MS, Pharmacology |
2008 | Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA MD, Medicine |
2013 | Cincinnati Children's Hospital and University of Cincinatti Triple Board Residency - Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
2021 | Duke University Health System Visiting Fellowship in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |
2012 | Cincinnati Psychoanalytic Institue Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program |
2014 | University of California San Diego Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Center Family Based Therapy (FBT) Training |
DuPont/Nemours Children's Hospital System Motivational Interviewing for Obesity in the Primary Care Setting |
Advanced Training
2021 | Duke University Health System Visiting Fellowship in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |