Elizabeth Wassenaar, MS, MD, DFAPA, CEDS-C

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

Publications

Videos

Educational Resources

Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Organizations that earn the Gold Seal of Approval™ have met or exceeded The Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards to obtain this distinctive and internationally recognized accreditation. Learn more about this accreditation here.