Elizabeth Penela, Ph.D.
Online Therapy for Anxiety and OCD
In addition to providing therapy services in-person in South Florida, I also offer online therapy sessions via tele-health to individuals who live in 43 states (including Florida) - see full listing of states here. I provide tele-health sessions from my private office in Pembroke Pines, Florida and use a HIPAA compliant online platform for the utmost protection of your private health information.
Sometimes people wonder - Does online therapy work? Doing therapy for anxiety and OCD works very well if you treat and honor this virtual space just as you would an in-office session! By doing this, we can maintain the connection that we feel in person. Studies have shown that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), a type of treatment that I specialize in, can be done effectively online.
An advantage to online therapy is that there is no commute time (who wants to sit on I-75 or the Palmetto during South Florida rush hour traffic?!). Some also find it very comforting to have their therapy session from a cozy area within their own home.
To make the best of our online therapy session, it is recommended that you are in a quiet, comfortable, and private space. If you are interested in starting online therapy for anxiety or OCD, I’d be honored to join you on this challenging and empowering journey.
To make the best of our online therapy session, it is recommended that you are in a quiet, comfortable, and private space. If you are interested in starting online therapy for anxiety or OCD, I’d be honored to join you on this challenging and empowering journey.
Tele-health Therapy for Teens
Teens often engage well in tele-health sessions, but if you think your teen would work best with a therapist in-person - listen to your gut! Some teens work with a therapist better in person because it's easier for them to focus and connect in that way. If you'd like your teen to work with a therapist in person, and my office in Pembroke Pines is not an easy location for you to access, please complete our Referral Request form. I'd be happy to point you in the right direction of a therapist that is closer to your home.
In terms of working with children, I currently only work with teens (ages 13 and up). I also work with parents of children (of all ages) using a parent-focused therapy approach called SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). Research shows that this type of therapy can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and OCD in children - yes, by working with just the parents, and not the kids. Have more questions about this approach? Please contact us to learn more!
If you are seeking a referral for a therapist to work directly with your child, please complete our Referral Request form, and we'd be happy point you in the right direction.
In terms of working with children, I currently only work with teens (ages 13 and up). I also work with parents of children (of all ages) using a parent-focused therapy approach called SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). Research shows that this type of therapy can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and OCD in children - yes, by working with just the parents, and not the kids. Have more questions about this approach? Please contact us to learn more!
If you are seeking a referral for a therapist to work directly with your child, please complete our Referral Request form, and we'd be happy point you in the right direction.
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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