Dr. Eli Penela

I'm a bilingual psychologist with expertise in providing evidence-based treatment to adults and teens struggling with anxiety and OCD.

I offer compassionate and effective treatment for children and adults struggling with anxiety and OCD. My warm and results-oriented approach will empower you to face the obstacles in your life with self-compassion, courage, and determination. Find more information about my therapy services and areas of specialty at my private practice website: http://www.wellnessinbroward.com/

I also offer parent

coaching to parents of children who struggle with anxiety. Learn more about my 8-week live, online course here: www.wisemamabears.com

Follow me on Instagram, too! https://www.instagram.com/drelipenela/

02/09/2026

“I never, ever stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself. You’re worth more than you think.”
— Bad Bunny, Super Bowl LX

When anxiety or OCD steals the joy from everyday life, the world can begin to feel dark… even hipeless.
With evidence-based therapy tools, you can work on rebuilding trust in yourself.

Through everyday lived experiences, you learn that when anxiety or obsessive thoughts show up, you can face them with quiet and steady strength and confidence.

✨ Hope doesn’t come from anxiety disappearing. Hope grows when you realize you can handle what anxiety or OCD throw your way.

01/22/2026

I'm a little late on this trend but here goes! 2016 was a year of figuring out motherhood and getting my feet wet in private practice.

My first-born (Lucas) turned 1, and as soon as I thought I had anything figured out - he quickly changed and proved me wrong 🙃

I rounded out my first year in private practice at and was stoked to work alongside such amazing colleagues! I somehow managed to fit in a quick kid-less trip to California to visit my bestie, and present at an conference with baby (and husband) in tow.

✨This was a fun trip down memory lane - feeling grateful for my journey as a mother and a psychologist!

01/19/2026

✨ Grateful for a beautiful morning celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with my amazing community!

👏 Thank you for putting together such a joy-filled and inspiring event.

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” - Dr. MLK Jr.

11/12/2025

Five years ago I opened my specialty private practice feeling hopeful and excited about helping folks struggling with anxiety and OCD using evidence-based therapy.

When Wellness in Broward was born, I started out virtually - doing therapy from my parents’ guest room (COVID times!). And in the summer of 2021, I was so excited to get back to in-person work, right here in Pembroke Pines.

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with incredible mental health professionals and organizations like Florida CBT Association, OCD Central and South Florida, and Anxiety and Depression Association of America - ADAA. In 2024, I reconnected with colleagues at the University of Miami (my alma mater!) – and started providing clinical supervision to graduate students at the Child and Adolescent Mood and Anxiety Treatment Program at Univ. of Miami.

My favorite part of this journey is to have been alongside so many brave individuals as they work toward finding calm and purpose in the midst of the chaos the anxiety and OCD can create in daily life.

I am so humbled, grateful and inspired by the people I work with. Your bravery continues to fuel my passion for this work everyday. Thank you! 💙

11/07/2025

So grateful to start the day with good coffee and great company! ☕️💙

Such a great time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new psychologists over a delicious breakfast hosted by the Broward Florida Psychological Association.

08/28/2025

Heartbroken.

07/17/2025

💫 My experience hiking the Inca Trail was magical. It brought up so many emotions - joy, frustration, hope, grief, and - anxiety.

🏔 While hiking this breathtakingly beautiful trail, I found myself relying heavily on ACT and CBT coping tools that I use with folks in the therapy room everyday? The one that helped me the most on this 4-day, grueling trek? Staying in the present moment ... which is waayyyyy easier said than done!

✅ Check out my blog post to see HOW I stayed present and other tools I used (link in bio): https://www.wellnessinbroward.com/blog/how-cognitive-behavior-therapy-cbt-helped-me-cope-with-anxiety-while-hiking-the-inca-trail

07/10/2025

I’m sadly going to be missing the IOCDF conference this year, and the FOMO is sure to kick in as soon as I start seeing all the photos and hear the buzz about the great talks I’ll be missing!

I never got around to posting about the 2024 conference 😆 - so I figured this as good as time as any to reflect on what a great conference it was! I met up with lots of amazing colleagues, and learned so much to continue to serve my patients with the best evidence-based care possible!

This year I’m sitting out the conference while I vacation with the fam. We’re exploring and visiting extended family in Brazil and Peru 🇧🇷🇵🇪. Seeing the kids bond with their cousins, hearing them use their Spanish while playing pick-up soccer games, and enjoying delicious Peruvian food - has been just incredible. So much to be grateful for 💗

I will miss seeing IOCDF conference folks, and hope to catch you all next time!

05/16/2025

When I went into solo private practice in 2020, I worried that I’d be sitting alone in my office - with no one to talk to or consult with!

But I checked myself with some great CBT tools 😉, made the leap, and have loved connecting with amazing colleagues outside of the office over the years!

The Florida CBT Association is the professional home I was looking for - a non-profit organization for Florida-based evidence-based practitioners to connect, learn and grow together.

Last week I had so much fun at our Professional Happy Hour in Boca, co-hosted by long-time friends at 🥳 It was great to connect with old colleagues, and meet new faces in the community!

💗 Thanks so much to everyone who came out to join us!

Address

Pembroke Pines, FL

Telephone

+19545772727

Website

http://www.wellnessinbroward.com/

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Psych4U
2010 NW 150th Avenue, Suite 120

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