Pans/Pandas

PANS & PANDAS Support for Children and Families

When Sudden Changes Leave You Searching for Answers

Sometimes a child’s behavior or personality can seem to change almost overnight. A once carefree child may suddenly become anxious, withdrawn, or display obsessive, fearful, or unusual behaviors. For parents, this sudden shift can feel confusing, overwhelming, and deeply unsettling.

For some families, these changes may be connected to PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)—conditions that can cause an abrupt change in a child’s emotions, behavior, and overall functioning.

At New Heart Therapy, we offer compassionate, specialized support for children and families navigating the challenges of PANS and PANDAS. Our goal is to help your child feel safe and understood, while supporting your family in restoring stability, connection, and hope.

What Are PANS and PANDAS?

PANDAS occurs when a streptococcal infection triggers an autoimmune response that affects areas of the brain involved in behavior, emotions, and movement.

PANS describes a similar sudden onset of symptoms that may be triggered by other infections, immune responses, or environmental factors.

Symptoms can emerge rapidly—sometimes within hours or days—and may fluctuate over time. In many cases, early signs are missed or mistaken for typical developmental changes, stress, or illness.

While each child’s experience is unique, there are common patterns families often notice.

Common Symptoms

Children with PANS or PANDAS may experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD)
  
  

• Sudden anxiety, fears, or separation anxiety
  
  

• Mood swings, irritability, or aggression
  
  

• Tics or repetitive movements
  
  

• Sleep disturbances
  
  

• Changes in appetite or food restriction
  
  

• Regression in age-appropriate skills
  
  

• Difficulty concentrating or sudden academic decline
  
  

These symptoms can be intense and distressing for both children and their families. Therapy can help make sense of what’s happening and provide tools for navigating daily life with greater confidence and support.

How Therapy Can Help

Medical treatment addresses the physical and biological aspects of PANS and PANDAS, while therapy supports the emotional, behavioral, and relational impact on the child and family.

At New Heart Therapy, we use a family-centered, trauma-informed approach and have experience supporting children with sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms. Therapy may help families:

• Manage anxiety, OCD, and emotional distress
  
  

• Support emotional regulation and resilience in children
  
  

• Strengthen family communication and connection
  
  

• Provide parents with guidance for responding to challenging behaviors
  
  

• Collaborate with medical providers and schools
  
  

Our focus is not just on reducing symptoms, but on helping families feel supported, informed, and empowered throughout the process.

A Family-Centered Path to Healing

When a child is struggling, the entire family feels the impact. Parents may feel exhausted or uncertain, while siblings may feel worried, confused, or overlooked.

In therapy, we work together to:

• Restore a sense of safety and stability at home
  
  

• Understand and respond to behavioral changes with confidence
  
  

• Reduce family stress and support caregivers
  
  

• Strengthen resilience, connection, and hope
  
  

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Healing is possible, and support is available.

Working Together with Your Care Team

PANS and PANDAS often require coordinated care. We collaborate with:

• Pediatricians and medical specialists
  
  

• Psychiatrists for medication support, when appropriate
  
  

• School staff to assist with academic and emotional accommodations
  
  

This team-based approach helps ensure your child receives consistent, compassionate care across all areas of life.

Taking the Next Step

You don’t need a confirmed diagnosis to begin getting support. If you’re noticing sudden or concerning changes in your child and are searching for answers, therapy can help—even while families are still in the process of understanding what’s going on.

If you’d like to learn more or explore whether therapy may be helpful for your child or family, we invite you to reach out to New Heart Therapy for a consultation. We’re here to listen and support you every step of the way.

Helpful Resources

(Optional learning and support — explore at your own pace)

If you’d like to learn more about PANS and PANDAS, these trusted organizations offer education, advocacy, and family support:

• Northwest PANS and PANDAS Network

• PANDAS Network

• PANDAS Physicians Network

• Aspire 

• International OCD Foundations Pans/Pandas

• National Institute of Mental Health – PANS and PANDAS
  
  

Podcasts

• Demystifying Pans and Pandas Podcast by Dr. Nancy O'Hara

• Untangling PANDAS & PANS: Conversations about Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Documentaries

• Stolen Childhood

• My Kid is Not Crazy: A Search for Hope in the Face of Misdiagnosis

You’re Not Alone

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.

Get in Touch

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.