Graduate Schools
- MSW, University of Pittsburgh (2015)
- MPH, University of Pittsburgh (2015)
Languages
EnglishDepartment
Psychiatry-Other CI ServicesProfessional Titles
- Clinical Director of the OCD Program
Recognitions
-
Distinguished Clinician Award, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine
(2025)
Established in 2023, the awards recognize the University of Colorado School of Medicine's exceptional clinicians who promote a patient-centered culture. Recipients of this award are recognized for demonstrating mastery in an area of clinical medicine, with a dedication to providing excellent and compassionate patient care, with exceptional outcomes and patient satisfaction scores. They frequently and eagerly share their clinical knowledge and skills with others to demonstrate a high standard of professionalism and personal integrity, showing a humanistic approach to both patient care and interactions with colleagues.
Publications
- Hemendinger E, Thompson JA, Fishman J, Sinsko K, Gebhardt H, Davis RA (2026) Beyond the Numbers: Quantitative and qualitative analysis of quality of life after deep brain stimulation for OCD. PLoS One 21(5): e0350293. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0350293
- Hemendinger, E. (2026). “The intensity and perfectionism that drive Olympic athletes also puts them at high risk for eating disorders.” The Conversation. Published online on February 13, 2026: https://theconversation.com/the-intensity-and-perfectionism-that-drive-olympic-athletes-also-put-them-at-high-risk-for-eating-disorders-273430
- Davis, R.A., Hemendinger, E., Fenstermacher, E.A., Duffy, K.A., & Thompson, J.A. (2026). “Circadian limbic and thalamic beta oscillations drive slow-adapting dual threshold adaptive deep brain stimulation in Tourette syndrome.” Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express, 12, 027002DOI 10.1088/2057-1976/ae5ca8
- Pucci, G., Hemendinger, E., Li, R., Abercrombie, G., Dinkar, T., & Sinclair, A. (2026). Food noise & false safety: A systematic evaluation of how LLMs fail to adapt to eating disorder queries with clinician feedback. ACL ARR May 2026 Submission. https://openreview.net/forum?id=jhAyCbnHSf
- Hemendinger, E. & Sinsko, K. (2024). Affordable specialized mental healthcare. In D.G. Friedman-Wheeler & A. Wenzel (Eds.), The Sage Encyclopedia of Mood and Anxiety Disorders (pages 35-39, volume 1). Sage Publications, Inc.
- Hemendinger, E. & Sinsko, K. (2024). Executive dysfunction. In D.G. Friedman-Wheeler & A. Wenzel (Eds.), The Sage Encyclopedia of Mood and Anxiety Disorders (pages 508-513, volume 1). Sage Publications, Inc.
- Hemendinger, E. & Sinsko, K. (2024). Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders: Biological factors. In D.G. Friedman-Wheeler & A. Wenzel (Eds.), The Sage Encyclopedia of Mood and Anxiety Disorders (pages 859-864, volume 2). Sage Publications, Inc.
- Hemendinger, E. (2024). Stigma. In D.G. Friedman-Wheeler & A. Wenzel (Eds.), The Sage Encyclopedia of Mood and Anxiety Disorders (pages 1200-1207, volume 3). Sage Publications, Inc.
- Hemendinger, E. & Suleta, K. (2024). “Dietary supplements and protein powders fall under a ‘wild west’ of unregulated products that necessitate caveats and caution.” The Conversation. Published online on February 6, 2024: https://theconversation.com/dietary-supplements-and-protein-powders-fall-under-a-wild-west-of-unregulated-products-that-necessitate-caveats-and-caution-220536
- Suleta, K. & Hemendinger, E. (2024). “Fitspiration, pseudo-healthcare professions, and the first amendment.” Skeptical Inquirer, 48(2), March/April edition (paper and digital print). Published online on February 23, 2024: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2024/02/fitspiration-pseudo-healthcare-professions-and-the-first-amendment/
- Hemendinger, E. “Pets are great, but they can bring stress and tradeoffs.” The Washington Post. Published online on May 20, 2024: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/05/20/stress-dog-cat-pet-owners/
- Hemendinger, E. (2024). “Pets give companionship, cuddles and joy –and also unavoidable stresses.” The Conversation. Published online on May 22, 2024: https://theconversation.com/pets-give-companionship-cuddles-and-joy-and-also-unavoidable-stresses-227112
- Hemendinger, E. (2024). “Surgeon general’s call for warning labels on social media underscores concerns for teen mental health.” The Conversation. Published online on June 21, 2024: https://theconversation.com/surgeon-generals-call-for-warning-labels-on-social-media-underscores-concerns-for-teen-mental-health-232809
- Hemendinger, E. (2024). “Is coaching a shortcut to mental health care: Not so fast here are key differences.” The Conversation. Published online on August 30, 2024: https://theconversation.com/is-coaching-a-shortcut-to-mental-health-care-not-so-fast-here-are-key-differences-234350
- Hemendinger (2023). “CU OCD and Anxiety Intensive Outpatient Program” curriculum, modules 1-8, 12-week programming.
- Kennis, M.R., Hale, E.W., Hemendinger, E. Davis, R., Taylor, M., & Klepitskaya, O. (2023). “Suicidal behavior in deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease: A retrospective case control study.” Journal of Parkinson’s Disease 2023 Mar 4. doi: 10.3233/JPD-225049. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36911947.
- Hemendinger, E. (2023). “Bleary eyes: A therapist of the 2020s.” The Human Touch, 16, p. 29. https://indd.adobe.com/view/4959c3a8-0938-464d-8d05-6f98dba045ee
- Hemendinger, E. (2023). “Mounting research documents the harmful effects of social media use on mental health including body image and development of eating disorders.” The Conversation, Published online June 7 2023, https://theconversation.com/mounting-research-documents-the-harmful-effects-of-social-media-use-on-mental-health-including-body-image-and-development-of-eating-disorders-206170
- Hemendinger, E. (2023). “How to re-engage in the sport you did compulsively, without really trying.” The Lancet-Psychiatry, Full Journal 10(7), p. 488-489. Published July 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(23)00116-5
- Hemendinger, E. (2023). “The zoom effect and the possible link between videochatting and appearance dissatisfaction.” The Conversation, Published online October 5, 2023, https://theconversation.com/the-zoom-effect-and-the-possible-link-between-videochatting-and-appearance-dissatisfaction-209798
- Doria, M. & Hemendinger, E. “Everyday Mindfulness.” Past the Pandemic/ECHO Colorado. Published online in May 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJN9Qm_b4Ko
Professional Memberships
- International OCD Foundation, member
- American Public Health Association, member and committee member
- National Association of Social Workers, member
Practice Locations
CU Medicine Psychiatry - Outpatient Clinic1890 N Revere Ct
Anschutz Health Sciences Bldg, Suite 4020
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-1000
Hospital Affiliation
- University of Colorado Hospital
Specialty Information
Specialties- Psychology
- Clinical Social Worker
- License Clinical Social Worker, License (2017)
- Certification in Public Health, Board Certification (2015)
- License in Social Work, License (2015)
- Approved Clinical Supervisor, Board Certification (2022)
- Mental Health and Behavior
- Mental Health and Behavior - Anxiety
- Mental Health and Behavior - Eating Disorders
- Mental Health and Behavior - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Mental Health and Behavior - Panic Disorder
- Mental Health and Behavior - Phobias
- Mental Health and Behavior - Stress
- Stress Management
- Wellness and Prevention
Clinical Interests
My many clinical interests include treating obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. My therapeutic approach is a mix of behavioral and relational, focusing on the mind-body connection, building coping skills and life skills, providing support, and promoting overall well-being through a focus on improving quality of life beyond just symptom reduction.
Care Philosophy
I believe in treating each client as a whole human being, focusing on both mental and physical health. My therapeutic style is eclectic, incorporating, ACT, CBT, DBT, RO-DBT, ERP, EFFT, SE, CPT, and IFS into my practice. As a clinician, it's important for me to show up authentically as an empathetic, even-tempered, driven person, who loves to laugh. By showing my authentic self, I feel it promotes self-acceptance in my clients. I strive to meet my clients where they are at and to give the best care that I can provide.
My many clinical interests include treating obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. My therapeutic approach is a mix of behavioral and relational, focusing on the mind-body connection, building coping skills and life skills, providing support, and promoting overall well-being through a focus on improving quality of life beyond just symptom reduction.
Care Philosophy
I believe in treating each client as a whole human being, focusing on both mental and physical health. My therapeutic style is eclectic, incorporating, ACT, CBT, DBT, RO-DBT, ERP, EFFT, SE, CPT, and IFS into my practice. As a clinician, it's important for me to show up authentically as an empathetic, even-tempered, driven person, who loves to laugh. By showing my authentic self, I feel it promotes self-acceptance in my clients. I strive to meet my clients where they are at and to give the best care that I can provide.
Personal Interests
The top of a mountain is my happy place, particularly the top of one of Colorado's 14ers. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my dog, Harrison Ford, and my family. I enjoy hiking, eating ice cream, being outside in general, and watching The Office for the thousandth time.
Volunteer Activities
I am passionate about advocacy and prevention of eating disorders and other mental health conditions. I work with a number of organizations and groups on reducing mental health stigma. I have also worked with the National Eating Disorders Association in planning national conferences, participating in walks and panels, and working as a helpline volunteer. I volunteer with the International OCD Foundation in several different capacities. Outside of mental health, I am dedicated to wilderness conservation. Each summer, I volunteer as a Peak Steward for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, educating hikers on nature conservation, Leave No Trace, and how to recreate safely in the wilderness.
Public Speaking
Yes
I have presented in a variety of settings and conferences on OCD, cognitive flexibility, perfectionism, eating disorders, body Image, bullying prevention, mental health and public health.
The top of a mountain is my happy place, particularly the top of one of Colorado's 14ers. In my spare time, I enjoy hanging out with my dog, Harrison Ford, and my family. I enjoy hiking, eating ice cream, being outside in general, and watching The Office for the thousandth time.
Volunteer Activities
I am passionate about advocacy and prevention of eating disorders and other mental health conditions. I work with a number of organizations and groups on reducing mental health stigma. I have also worked with the National Eating Disorders Association in planning national conferences, participating in walks and panels, and working as a helpline volunteer. I volunteer with the International OCD Foundation in several different capacities. Outside of mental health, I am dedicated to wilderness conservation. Each summer, I volunteer as a Peak Steward for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, educating hikers on nature conservation, Leave No Trace, and how to recreate safely in the wilderness.
Public Speaking
Yes
I have presented in a variety of settings and conferences on OCD, cognitive flexibility, perfectionism, eating disorders, body Image, bullying prevention, mental health and public health.