Sometimes, a child’s behavior or personality seems to change overnight. A happy, confident child may suddenly become anxious, withdrawn, or begin showing obsessive or unusual behaviors. As a parent, this can be confusing and frightening. You may find yourself wondering what happened and how to help your child feel like themselves again.
For some families, these symptoms may be connected to PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)—conditions that can cause a sudden and dramatic change in a child’s emotions and behavior.
At New Heart Therapy, we provide specialized therapy for children and families coping with the emotional and behavioral challenges of PANS and PANDAS. Our goal is to help your child feel safe, supported, and empowered—and to help your family find stability and understanding through the healing process.
PANDAS occurs when a strep infection triggers an autoimmune response that mistakenly affects areas of the brain involved in behavior, emotion, and movement.
PANS describes a similar condition that may result from other infections, immune responses, or environmental factors.
These conditions can lead to a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, often appearing within hours or days. In some cases, symptoms can wax and wane and the original onset is missed as it is believed to be a developmental stage or associated with illness.
Children experiencing PANS or PANDAS may suddenly develop one or more of the following symptoms:
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD)
Separation anxiety or new fears
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or aggression
Tics or repetitive movements
Sleep disturbances
Food restriction or changes in appetite
Regression in age-appropriate behaviors
Difficulty concentrating or sudden academic decline
These symptoms can be intense and disorienting for the whole family. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening and provide strategies for coping day-to-day.
While medical care addresses the physical aspects of PANS and PANDAS, therapy helps children and families manage the emotional, behavioral, and relational effects.
At New Heart Therapy, we take a family-centered, trauma-informed approach that focuses on healing and resilience. In therapy, we help families:
Develop tools to manage OCD, anxiety, and emotional distress
Support children in regulating their emotions and building confidence
Strengthen communication and connection between family members
Provide parent guidance and coaching for challenging behaviors
Collaborate with medical providers, psychiatrists, and schools for comprehensive care
Our approach blends evidence-based practices and family-based support—so both the child and family can move toward healing together.
When a child is struggling, the whole family feels the impact. Parents often experience fear, confusion, and exhaustion, while siblings may feel left out or worried.
In our work together, we focus on:
Rebuilding a sense of safety and stability at home
Understanding and responding to emotional or behavioral changes
Reducing stress and supporting parental well-being
Strengthening the family’s ability to cope and connect
You don’t have to go through this alone. Therapy can help your family feel more grounded, informed, and hopeful.
PANS and PANDAS often require a multidisciplinary approach. We’re happy to collaborate with:
Pediatricians and specialists managing the medical treatment plan
Psychiatrists for medication evaluation and monitoring
School staff to ensure academic and emotional accommodations
This coordinated care helps your child receive consistent, compassionate support across all settings.
If you’re looking to learn more about PANS and PANDAS, these trusted organizations offer education, advocacy, and family support:
Watching your child change so suddenly can be one of the hardest experiences a parent faces—but there is hope. With the right combination of medical care and therapeutic support, many children recover and return to thriving.
At New Heart Therapy, we are here to help you and your child navigate this journey with compassion, clarity, and care.
Serving families in person in Bellingham, Washington and telehealth therapy options within Washington state to make support accessible and flexible for your family’s needs.
If you believe your child may have pans/pandas and you’re seeking guidance, I’d be honored to support your family.
📞 Call: (360) 218-4115
💬 Email: andrea@newhearttherapy.com
📅 Schedule a Consultation:
Together, we can help your child feel safe, supported, and strong again.