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/

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!

02/28/2025

Volunteering in my son’s First grade classroom is always such a treat!

Thankful for the opportunity to read I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. to these bright, curious young minds.

Book excerpt:
I am Martin Luther King, Jr.
I stand for peace. I stand for justice.
I stand to help others.
I stand as proof that no matter how hard the struggle, we must fight for what is right and work to change what is wrong.

- Thank you for these amazing books that open up the minds and hearts of so many children (and adults!).

01/19/2025

Special Sunday afternoon with the family - meeting and getting our I Am books signed! We’ve read all of the books in this amazing children’s biography series.

Thank you Brad for inspiring our children (and their parents!) through your stories to believe that with determination, kindness and bravery - anything is possible.

Our personal faves 💗
Lucas’s favorite: I Am Jackie Robinson
Marcelo’s favorite: I Am Jesse Owens

12/04/2024

Come hang with me this Sunday and support a great cause! The International OCD Foundation is hosting a One Million Steps for OCD Walk in Deerfield Beach 🥳

It's free to walk, but if you choose to donate - the IOCDF uses every dollar raised during this fundraiser to support those impacted by OCD and related disorders.

The Florida CBT Association will be walking as a group, and we hope that you will walk with us!

11/19/2024

Yesterday I went to my son’s First grade classroom and read, I am Sacagawea, by the amazing .

The kids shared so many thoughtful comments and questions:
“That’s sad.”
“Why did they kidnap her?”
“That’s called happy tears. When we’re happy, sometimes we cry.”

There are no easy answers, but reading this book opened up a great discussion. These are the small and important things we can do to help our children begin to understand the complexities surrounding Native American history and Thanksgiving.

“Wherever you go in life -
whatever mountains you climb and challenges you face,
find your own way.
Make your own path.
Shatter expectations.”
-I am Sacagawea, by Brad Meltzer

Address

Pembroke Pines, FL

Telephone

+19545772727

Website

http://www.wellnessinbroward.com/

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