About Me
I am a committed and compassionate clinical psychologist with advanced training and expertise in clinical health psychology. I am licensed to practice in the state of Maryland and can see patients via tele-therapy in any of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) participating states (full list here). My interests are in helping patients to understand the mind-body connection, helping them to improve their quality of life despite experiencing chronic health conditions, and improving the way that they live despite stress and hardships. I specialize in health psychology, which focuses on promoting overall well-being as well as coping with acute and chronic illnesses. I specialize in treating patients with acute and chronic pain, EDS, headaches, and migraines. I also have extensive experience treating insomnia, weight management, fertility, and managing life stressors.
While I have spent the majority of my career working in hospital settings, I now seek to increase community access to health psychology services. In my part-time private practice, I hope to continue helping you live your best values-driven life. I take a very collaborative approach to ensure that you feel that you are being heard and that your goals are being met. My therapeutic style is warm, genuine, and empathetic. I remain present as we work on navigating your physical and emotional obstacles together.
Professional Background
Education & Licensure
Active
State of Maryland
Licensed Psychologist. LIC#05533
2015
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
Postdoctoral Fellowship. Rotations in the integrative pain clinic, opioid reassessment clinic, anesthesiology pain clinic, sleep clinic, primary care setting, and spinal cord stimulator evaluation clinic.
2014
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
Clinical Internship. Rotations in chronic pain, insomnia, psycho-oncology, tobacco cessation, weight and diabetes management, primary care treatments, and inpatient consultation liaison services.
2014
University of Florida
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Clinical and Health Psychology, Behavioral Medicine track.
2011
University of Florida
Master of Science (M.S.). Clinical and Health Psychology, Behavioral Medicine track.
2007
Connecticut College
Bachelors of Arts (B.A.). Education Summa Cum Laude in Psychology and Government
Active
PSYPACT
APIT Number. 13717
Employment
2019-present
2019-2023
2015-2019
2013-2015
Program Director. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National Institutes of Health
Red Cross Volunteer, Pain Psychologist. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Pain Psychologist. Health Psychology Department, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Health Psychology. VA Connecticut Healthcare System
2009-2013
Center for Pain Research and Behavioral Health at the University of Florida
2007-2009
Health and Early-Childhood Divisions, Child Trends
Organization Memberships
U.S. Association for the Study of Pain (USASP)
International Association of Pain (IASP)
American Psychology Association (APA) - Division 38, Health Psychology
National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Maryland Psychological Association (MPA)
Selected Publications
Wandner, L.D., Aklin, W.M., & Freed, M.C. (2020). Guest editorial: Psychologists aim to HEAL the opioid and pain crisis. American Psychologist, 75(6), 866-868.
Higgns, D.M., Buta, E., Heapy, A., Driscoll, M.A., Kerns, R.D., Masheb, R., Becker, W.C., Hausmann, L.R.M., Bair, M.J., Wandner, L.D., Janke, A.E., Brandt, C.A., & Goulet, J.L. (2020). The relationship between Body Mass Index and Pain Intensity Among Veterans with Musculoskeletal Disorders: Findings from MSD Cohort. Pain Medicine, 1-10.
Wandner, L.D., Fenton, B.T., Goulet, J.L., Carroll, C.M., Heapy, A., Higgins, D.M., Bair, M.J., Sandbrink, F., & Kerns, R.D. (2020). Treatment of a large cohort of veterans experiencing musculoskeletal disorders with spinal cord stimulation in the Veterans Health Administration: Veteran characteristics and outcomes. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1687-1697.
Wandner, L.D., Prasad, R., Ramezani, A., Malcore, S., & Kerns, R. (2019). Core competencies for the emerging specialty of pain psychology. American Psychologist, 74(4), 432-444.
Prasad, R., Wandner, L.D., (2019). Psychosocial and cultural aspects of pain. In Academic Pain Medicine. (51-58). New York: Springer.