Elizabeth Penela, Ph.D.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect from my first appointment 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). After this call, I am also available for a brief courtesy phone call, if you'd like to. You will then receive intake paperwork via the patient portal (questionnaires, 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 to work on your ongoing challenges. We'll also 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 feel hopeful and empowered about reaching your goals.
During our first appointment, we’ll talk about what has and hasn’t been helpful to work on your ongoing challenges. We'll also 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 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 can't 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, we are usually prepared wrap up therapy after about 3 to 4 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 can't 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, we are usually prepared wrap up therapy after about 3 to 4 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 or DOs) 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 collaborate with many excellent psychiatrists in the area. Interested in receiving a psychiatrist recommendation? Please complete this form and I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction.
If you are not currently working with a psychiatrist, but would like to consider taking medication, I collaborate with many excellent psychiatrists in the area. Interested in receiving a psychiatrist recommendation? Please complete this form and I'd be happy to help point you in the right direction.
Do you work with children or adults?
I provide effective, evidence-based therapy for teens (age 13 & up) and adults who struggle with anxiety, OCD, and related concerns.
I have also worked with children over the years and have found that one of the most effective ways to help children struggling with anxiety and OCD is by supporting parents in a parent-focused therapy approach called Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Currently I am focusing on this parent-focused therapy approach in my practice (rather than working with children directly) because I've seen many families experience success with this approach, and there is also a great deal of research support behind it.
If you would like your child to work with a therapist directly, please fill out this form, and I'd be happy to provide recommendations to great child therapists.
I have also worked with children over the years and have found that one of the most effective ways to help children struggling with anxiety and OCD is by supporting parents in a parent-focused therapy approach called Supportive Parenting of Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Currently I am focusing on this parent-focused therapy approach in my practice (rather than working with children directly) because I've seen many families experience success with this approach, and there is also a great deal of research support behind it.
If you would like your child to work with a therapist directly, please fill out this form, and I'd be happy to provide recommendations to great child therapists.
What are Dr. Penela’s areas of specialty?
I specialize in working with 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 you 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. I do not meet for therapy sessions during the weekend.
If you are a parent seeking an after-school appointment (and the afternoon/evening slots are booked), you might consider parent sessions to help your teen cope with anxiety and/or OCD. Research shows that this treatment approach can often be just as effective as a therapist working directly with your child. Learn more about this parent-focused therapy approach here.
If you are a parent seeking an after-school appointment (and the afternoon/evening slots are booked), you might consider parent sessions to help your teen cope with anxiety and/or OCD. Research shows that this treatment approach can often be just as effective as a therapist working directly with your child. Learn more about this parent-focused therapy approach 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!
What's the vibe like in a therapy session?
Such an important question! It should go without saying (but I'll say it anyway!) that one of the main priorities is that you feel seen, understood, and validated in our sessions. For tele-health sessions, folks are often logging in from a cozy place at home, and when we do in-person work, people get comfy on the couch and bring in a favorite drink sometimes (Starbucks is downstairs!).
We usually start by checking in about any recent big ups and downs, and within that context we find our way to discussing and practicing (in the moment!) the specific coping tools that you are learning in session. We get pretty specific with how you'll try out this tool, when to use it - and we always ask the tough question: What do we expect to get in the way with trying this new way of doing things? In other words, are sessions are pretty active, but also fun and engaging.
You can expect to leave each therapy session with a few action items to try out. I remind my patients - the work is in the trying! If the new strategies work well - amazing! If we hit a bump - no worries, let's take a look. Maybe we need to review something, or maybe that particular strategy just isn't for you. That's okay! We'll see what else we can add to the toolkit that will work.
We'll also check in about who might be the key people who can support you in your therapy work. When working with adults, maybe it's helpful to provide feedback to a spouse, family member, or friend about how they can best support you. When working with teens, I engage parents in therapy so that they can understand the tools that we are learning in session. Parent involvement is a critical part of both CBT treatment for anxiety and ERP treatment for OCD.
Wan to chat more about what therapy with me will look like? Set up a free consult call here. My amazing Practice Manager (Kelly) will fill you in on all the practical details of our work, and then if you'd like to chat with me directly, she'll get you scheduled for a courtesy call.
We usually start by checking in about any recent big ups and downs, and within that context we find our way to discussing and practicing (in the moment!) the specific coping tools that you are learning in session. We get pretty specific with how you'll try out this tool, when to use it - and we always ask the tough question: What do we expect to get in the way with trying this new way of doing things? In other words, are sessions are pretty active, but also fun and engaging.
You can expect to leave each therapy session with a few action items to try out. I remind my patients - the work is in the trying! If the new strategies work well - amazing! If we hit a bump - no worries, let's take a look. Maybe we need to review something, or maybe that particular strategy just isn't for you. That's okay! We'll see what else we can add to the toolkit that will work.
We'll also check in about who might be the key people who can support you in your therapy work. When working with adults, maybe it's helpful to provide feedback to a spouse, family member, or friend about how they can best support you. When working with teens, I engage parents in therapy so that they can understand the tools that we are learning in session. Parent involvement is a critical part of both CBT treatment for anxiety and ERP treatment for OCD.
Wan to chat more about what therapy with me will look like? Set up a free consult call here. My amazing Practice Manager (Kelly) will fill you in on all the practical details of our work, and then if you'd like to chat with me directly, she'll get you scheduled for a courtesy call.
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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