Elizabeth Penela, Ph.D.
Dr. Elizabeth Penela's Education and Training
I am a licensed, clinical psychologist in Florida (PY 9177), specializing in anxiety and OCD treatment for teens and adults. I also provide evidence-based therapy via tele-health across all 43 PSYPACT states.
You might wonder: what does “evidence-based” therapy mean? Psychology can get a bad wrap for not being a true science, but in fact, many psychological treatments have been heavily researched, and results show that certain kinds of treatments are effective for specific problems. I had the privilege of training at universities that emphasized mastery of evidence-based treatments.
You might wonder: what does “evidence-based” therapy mean? Psychology can get a bad wrap for not being a true science, but in fact, many psychological treatments have been heavily researched, and results show that certain kinds of treatments are effective for specific problems. I had the privilege of training at universities that emphasized mastery of evidence-based treatments.
Doctoral Training at the University of Miami
Dr. Eli Penela presents findings from her dissertation at the American Psychological Association conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her study was later published in a leading academic journal, Child Development.
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I completed by PhD at the University of Miami, where I gained extensive experience using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with children and adults experiencing anxiety, OCD, and related problems. My research focused on child temperament and emotion regulation, and the results of my dissertation were published in a leading psychology journal, Child Development.
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Pre-Doctoral Internship at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
I then completed my internship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I gained specialized training at the UNC Hospital and the Project Enlightenment Program. In the Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, I also worked with mothers who were experiencing Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Working with mothers struggling with severe anxiety and depression during the postpartum period was incredibly rewarding. In my private practice, I continue to support mothers who struggle with anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive rituals.
Working with mothers struggling with severe anxiety and depression during the postpartum period was incredibly rewarding. In my private practice, I continue to support mothers who struggle with anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, and compulsive rituals.
Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Miami
After earning my PhD in Clinical Psychology, I sought further specialized training in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders as a Post-Doctoral Fellow. I worked alongside Dr. Jill Ehrenreich-May and Dr. Annette La Greca at the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment (CAMAT) program within the University of Miami. I provided specialized therapy services to children and adults, and also supervised doctoral students. Some of the disorders I treated included: obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, selective mutism, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and specific phobias (e.g., emetophobia).
Bilingual Psychologist in Florida
Dr. Eli Penela stands with the founders of Pediatric Psychology Associates at a community event. Left to right: Dr. Judith Migoya, Dr. Nicholas Maccarrone, Dr. Eli Penela, Dr. Samantha Carella
After completing my post-doctoral training at the University of Miami, I felt passionate about continuing to provide evidence-based therapy to the South Florida community, especially those struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related disorders.
In 2015, I joined a private practice group that shares these ideals: Pediatric Psychology Associates (PPA). Over the course of five years at PPA, I provided therapy in English and Spanish to children and adults across South Florida. With other psychologists at PPA, we established the Anxiety and OCD Intensive Outpatient Program in 2016, to better serve individuals requiring a higher level of care.
In 2015, I joined a private practice group that shares these ideals: Pediatric Psychology Associates (PPA). Over the course of five years at PPA, I provided therapy in English and Spanish to children and adults across South Florida. With other psychologists at PPA, we established the Anxiety and OCD Intensive Outpatient Program in 2016, to better serve individuals requiring a higher level of care.
Then in 2020, I launched my private practice, Wellness in Broward, with the goal of establishing a specialized practice dedicated to serving individuals who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related concerns.
By providing effective, science-backed tools in a warm and compassionate environment, I help teens and adults overcome the obstacles that keep them from living a full and meaningful life. I also support parents of children, teens and adults who are struggling with anxiety and OCD using an evidence-based, parent-focused therapy approach, called SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).
Ongoing Professional Development in Anxiety and OCD Treatment
Florida CBT founding board members at the 2024 IOCDF conference in Orlando, Florida.
Staying up-to-date on the latest research developments related to anxiety and OCD treatment is deeply important to me. I am committed to continually expanding my knowledge through advanced trainings and professional consultation groups, so that I can
provide my patients with thoughtful, top-notch, cutting-edge care.
As such, I was a founding member of the Florida CBT Association, established in 2024. Florida CBT is a non-profit organization that helps CBT providers across Florida to connect, build community, and provide a professional space to discuss cutting-edge research. In my role as Regional Membership Chair, I helped to grow the membership of this community, and today I continue to support this organization as an active member.
provide my patients with thoughtful, top-notch, cutting-edge care.
As such, I was a founding member of the Florida CBT Association, established in 2024. Florida CBT is a non-profit organization that helps CBT providers across Florida to connect, build community, and provide a professional space to discuss cutting-edge research. In my role as Regional Membership Chair, I helped to grow the membership of this community, and today I continue to support this organization as an active member.
Dr. Eli Penela at the Behavior Therapy Training Institute in 2020 with leading child anxiety and OCD expert, Dr. Eric Storch.
I also regularly attend conferences hosted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) to learn about the latest effective treatments to best serve my therapy clients. As an active member of these professional organizations, I've contributed to their communities by writing blogs and presenting webinars, which can be found on my Press page.
To stay up to date on the most effective treatments for anxiety and OCD, I have completed many advanced professional trainings, such as:
To stay up to date on the most effective treatments for anxiety and OCD, I have completed many advanced professional trainings, such as:
- Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) sponsored by the IOCDF with leading experts in the field
- Advanced CBT training at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- SPACE Treatment (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) with Yale Psychologist, Dr. Eli Lebowitz, including specialized trainings:
- Treatment for parents of adults: Failure to Launch
- Treatment for parents of children who struggle with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Advanced CBT training: Optimizing Exposure Therapy for Anxiety & OCD Through Inhibitory Learning with Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz
I am also active in serving the South Florida community by doing presentations with organizations, such as schools and mental health agencies. Stay tuned about my upcoming events and presentations here!
Dr. Eli Penela at the IOCDF Awareness Walk in Deerfield Beach Florida in December 2024.
To see my full Curriculum Vitae, please click here.
Thinking about working with Dr. Eli Penela to overcome anxiety or OCD?
Dr. Elizabeth Penela is a Licensed Psychologist in Florida (License #9177) providing therapy in English and Spanish. In-person appointments available in South Florida: Weston, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Cooper City, Boca Raton, Davie, Parkland, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation and surrounding areas.
Tele-health sessions available to individuals residing in all 43 PSYPACT participating states, including Florida.
Tele-health sessions available to individuals residing in all 43 PSYPACT participating states, including Florida.
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