Upcoming Webinars

Description:

This presentation provides a brief, clinically focused overview of psychedelics and their emerging relevance to eating disorder treatment. Proposed mechanisms, including effects on cognitive rigidity, self-concept, and emotional processing, will be reviewed alongside a high-level summary of the current evidence. Practical considerations such as safety risks, patient selection, developmental issues, and how to respond to patient inquiries will be emphasized. The goal is to equip clinicians with a balanced, evidence-informed framework for discussing psychedelics in eating disorder care.

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar is the Regional Medical Director for the West region at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center. She is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Obesity Medicine and completed triple board training at Cincinnati Children’s and the University of Cincinnati in Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Prior to her clinical career, she completed a Master of Pharmacology from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Wassenaar has completed advanced psychotherapy training in psychodynamic psychotherapy, family-based therapy for eating disorders, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and Mind Body Medicine. She is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant. 

Dr. Wesley R. Barnhart
Assistant Professor, Suffolk University

Description:

Eating disorders do not discriminate, affecting people of any size, age, gender, ethnic background, and
religion. Eating disorders within the Jewish community provides its own challenges and nuances, just as
any unique population does. Nonetheless, one of the biggest hurdles met by clients and clinicians alike is
how to keep kosher while in treatment, what that looks like, and various nuances that come along with it.
This webinar explores how Jewish religious observance intersects with clinical care, focusing on
supporting clients who keep kosher while in treatment. Participants will learn the basic tenets of keeping
kosher and what this looks like in outpatient, PHP, residential, and inpatient settings. The session
examines how dietary, and Sabbath observance can influence the client’s decision to enter high levels of
care, as well as practical considerations for honoring the Sabbath in Jewish holidays during treatment.
Special attention is given to the unique dietary requirements of Passover, and how nutrition and religious
practice overlap. The webinar also highlights the value of culturally informed nutritionists on the treatment
team and offers guidance on when and how to thoughtfully include the client’s Rabbi to support both
clinical and religious needs.

1. Relay basic tenants of keeping kosher
2. Keeping the Sabbath and Holidays While In Treatment
3. Unique dietary restrictions around the Holiday of Passover
4. Fasting holidays and fasting during recovery

Aliza Wallach, RDN
Aliza is a Registered Dietitian, Accredited Member of the CDR and ADA, specializing in eating disorder prevention and treatment. She works at Center for Discovery in Paramus, NJ, and continues training with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. Aliza provides personalized, evidence-based care for lasting recovery.

Amani Joseph, MSW Intern
Amani (Gitti) Joseph is a second-year MSW student at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She has five years of experience in eating disorders, including volunteering with ANAD and conducting research on survivors of intimate partner violence. Gitti supports the Orthodox Jewish community through compassionate, practical, and transformational therapy.