Elizabeth Penela, Ph.D.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from the first therapy session with Dr. Eli Penela?
Before your first appointment, you will have a brief, courtesy phone consultation with my Practice Manager about your main concerns (schedule this initial free phone consultation here); I am also available for a brief consultation, should you request that. Then, you will receive intake paperwork via the patient portal, which includes questionnaires and consent forms. Having this done before our first session, allows us to dive into the details of the challenges that you’re facing during our first appointment.
During our first appointment, we’ll talk about what has and hasn’t been helpful in the past to work on your ongoing challenges. And, we will discuss what is most important to you on a day-to-day basis, and what you hope to get out of therapy. Toward the end of our appointment, I will share feedback about whether a clinical diagnosis is appropriate, and most importantly we’ll discuss details about your treatment plan.
My goal is that at the end of our first appointment, you will have a good understanding of the kind of work we’ll be doing together in therapy, and that you will feel hopeful and empowered about reaching your goals.
During our first appointment, we’ll talk about what has and hasn’t been helpful in the past to work on your ongoing challenges. And, we will discuss what is most important to you on a day-to-day basis, and what you hope to get out of therapy. Toward the end of our appointment, I will share feedback about whether a clinical diagnosis is appropriate, and most importantly we’ll discuss details about your treatment plan.
My goal is that at the end of our first appointment, you will have a good understanding of the kind of work we’ll be doing together in therapy, and that you will feel hopeful and empowered about reaching your goals.
How frequently do we meet for therapy sessions?
We will typically meet on a weekly basis (we’ll choose a consistent day and time; for example, Wednesdays at 9am). On a case-by-case basis, if your challenges are causing very significant interference in daily functioning (e.g., having trouble getting to school or work consistently), we will consider whether twice weekly therapy would be beneficial for a brief period of time. If more than twice weekly therapy is needed, I will recommend a higher level of care, such as Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) or residential care.
As you begin to feel more confident about using the coping tools learned in therapy, we will begin to cut back on the frequency of our sessions and meet every two weeks (rather than weekly) for a period of time. Of course the goal is to wrap up our work together once you meet your therapy goals, and at this point – you basically become your own therapist! As needed, I’m always open to consulting or restarting our sessions in the future.
As you begin to feel more confident about using the coping tools learned in therapy, we will begin to cut back on the frequency of our sessions and meet every two weeks (rather than weekly) for a period of time. Of course the goal is to wrap up our work together once you meet your therapy goals, and at this point – you basically become your own therapist! As needed, I’m always open to consulting or restarting our sessions in the future.
How long should I expect to be in therapy?
After meeting on a weekly basis for a period of 8 to 12 weeks, many people notice that they are feeling better about the challenges we’ve been working on in therapy. Your progress in therapy depends on many factors, such as:
We cannot predict exactly how many sessions are needed to meet your therapy goals. But in general, if you are consistently practicing the coping tools we are reviewing in session, many children and adults are prepared to wrap up therapy after about 3 to 5 months of weekly therapy sessions.
- Practicing the tools outside of session
- Regularly attending sessions and putting in consistent effort each week
- Support from others as you begin to make changes in your everyday life
We cannot predict exactly how many sessions are needed to meet your therapy goals. But in general, if you are consistently practicing the coping tools we are reviewing in session, many children and adults are prepared to wrap up therapy after about 3 to 5 months of weekly therapy sessions.
What are your fees?
Our first appointment is the Initial Intake Consultation (1 hour and 15 minutes) and this appointment is $395. Check out the first item in this FAQ list to learn more about what to expect at this appointment.
Follow-up therapy appointments (50 minutes) are $295. Payment is due at the time that services are provided. I am not an in-network insurance provider (more on that in the next item below).
Follow-up therapy appointments (50 minutes) are $295. Payment is due at the time that services are provided. I am not an in-network insurance provider (more on that in the next item below).
Do you take insurance?
As is the case with most specialized psychologists, I am not an in-network provider with any specific insurance companies. Payment is due at the time that services are rendered, and it is up to you whether you would like to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. I provide a superbill, which is a document that has all of the necessary information (e.g., diagnostic codes, service codes) in order for you to be able to request out-of-network benefits from your insurance company, should you decide to pursue reimbursement.
In the past, some patients have had success with using services such as Reimbursify for support in getting out-of-network benefits. I have no affiliation with this company.
In the past, some patients have had success with using services such as Reimbursify for support in getting out-of-network benefits. I have no affiliation with this company.
Do you prescribe medication?
As a licensed psychologist, I do not prescribe medications (psychologists are not legally authorized to do so). Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) who have specialized training in prescribing medication for mental health conditions. If you are currently working with a psychiatrist, I always encourage collaboration and consultation in order to best serve your treatment needs.
If you are not currently working with a psychiatrist, but would like to consider taking medication, I have many psychiatrists whom I have collaborate with that I can recommend upon request.
If you are not currently working with a psychiatrist, but would like to consider taking medication, I have many psychiatrists whom I have collaborate with that I can recommend upon request.
Do you work with children or adults?
I provide effective, evidence-based therapy for both children and adults who struggle with anxiety, OCD, and related concerns.
In order for children and adults to be successful in treatment, I believe it is important to consider others who can provide support throughout the therapy process. For example, when working with adults, we will discuss whether it might be helpful provide feedback and strategies to a spouse, family member, or friend about how they can best support you in your treatment.
When working with children, I engage parents in therapy, so that they can understand the tools that we are learning in session. That way, they can support their children as they implement newly learned strategies each week. Parent involvement is a critical part of both CBT treatment for anxiety and ERP treatment for OCD in children and teens.
When working with young children (as young as 3 years old) who may be struggling with social anxiety, selective mutism, or other challenges related to anxiety that are typically seen in the early years, the work done in therapy is typically mostly with parents. I use the science-backed SPACE treatment model. Learn more about this parent-focused therapy here.
In order for children and adults to be successful in treatment, I believe it is important to consider others who can provide support throughout the therapy process. For example, when working with adults, we will discuss whether it might be helpful provide feedback and strategies to a spouse, family member, or friend about how they can best support you in your treatment.
When working with children, I engage parents in therapy, so that they can understand the tools that we are learning in session. That way, they can support their children as they implement newly learned strategies each week. Parent involvement is a critical part of both CBT treatment for anxiety and ERP treatment for OCD in children and teens.
When working with young children (as young as 3 years old) who may be struggling with social anxiety, selective mutism, or other challenges related to anxiety that are typically seen in the early years, the work done in therapy is typically mostly with parents. I use the science-backed SPACE treatment model. Learn more about this parent-focused therapy here.
What are Dr. Penela’s areas of specialty?
I specialize in working with children, teens, and adults who are struggling with anxiety, OCD, and related issues. I primarily rely on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tools, which are therapy approaches that research has shown are most effective in helping children and adults feel better quickly.
I also have expertise in working with parents of children and adults who struggle with anxiety and OCD. You can learn more about each area of specialty here.
I also have expertise in working with parents of children and adults who struggle with anxiety and OCD. You can learn more about each area of specialty here.
How do I book an appointment?
In order to make sure we are a good fit in therapy, the first step is to book a brief phone consultation call. You can schedule this call here.
During this call, my Practice Manager will gather information about your main concerns, provide feedback about our recommended therapy approach, and set up your first appointment. If you are interested in an additional brief, courtesy consultation with Dr. Penela, that is available upon request.
During this call, my Practice Manager will gather information about your main concerns, provide feedback about our recommended therapy approach, and set up your first appointment. If you are interested in an additional brief, courtesy consultation with Dr. Penela, that is available upon request.
What are Dr. Penela’s hours?
I see patients mostly during morning and daytime hours (before 2pm). One afternoon per week (Tuesdays) I hold afternoon and evening sessions - there is often a waitlist for these highly requested afternoon slots. I do not meet for therapy sessions during the weekend.
If you are a parent seeking an after-school appointment for your child (and the afternoon/evening slots are booked), you might consider parent sessions to help your child or teen cope with anxiety and OCD. Research shows that this treatment approach can often be just as effective as a therapist working directly with your child. Learn more here.
If you are a parent seeking an after-school appointment for your child (and the afternoon/evening slots are booked), you might consider parent sessions to help your child or teen cope with anxiety and OCD. Research shows that this treatment approach can often be just as effective as a therapist working directly with your child. Learn more here.
My concern is not related to anxiety or OCD. Can you help me find a good-fit therapist?
Yes! Dr. Penela has a wide network of trusted colleagues who she frequently refers to and collaborates with. If you would like guidance regarding referrals, please complete this form.
We will do our best to provide a few suggestions that can help to point you in the right direction!
We will do our best to provide a few suggestions that can help to point you in the right direction!
Have more questions? Please get in touch!
Dr. Penela proudly provides evidence-based therapy services 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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