Supporting children, young people and families through PANS/PANDAS

I offer psychological support for children, young people and families affected by PANS/PANDAS. Through my clinical work, charity involvement and listening closely to families, I understand how sudden changes in anxiety, OCD symptoms, mood, behaviour and everyday functioning can feel frightening and overwhelming — not only for the child, but for parents and carers too.

Psychological support can sit alongside medical care and may be helpful at different points in a family’s journey.

When things are unclear
Families may be trying to make sense of sudden or significant changes while also navigating uncertainty about what is happening. Support can help children and parents understand patterns of distress, think about what the child can realistically manage, and consider ways of responding when everyday life has become more difficult or unpredictable. Where appropriate, I can also help families think about whether further assessment, referral or liaison with other professionals may be helpful.

Following diagnosis
A diagnosis can bring relief and validation, but also new questions. Therapy can help children and families make sense of what they have experienced, understand and respond to the changes in thoughts, emotions, behaviour and everyday functioning that may have come with PANS/PANDAS, rebuild confidence and routines, and think about what may be helpful next.

During a flare
A child’s ability to engage can change considerably during a flare. Psychological support can help families respond to PANS/PANDAS symptoms while supporting connection and day-to-day functioning. Therapy therefore needs to be flexible and responsive to the child’s needs, preferences and current capacity. At times this may mean reducing demands, focusing more on safety and connection, or working more closely with parents. At other times, a child may be ready for a small therapeutic step forward. Just as families may need to adapt how they support a child during a flare, therapy may also need to change in response to the child’s current symptoms, needs and capacity.

As things begin to improve
Recovery can happen, and many children and families are able to gradually rebuild confidence, routines, relationships and participation in everyday life. For some, progress may not always be a straightforward return to how things were before. Psychological support can help children and families process what they have experienced, rebuild at a manageable pace and think about what might help if difficulties increase again.

Support for parents and carers
Parent consultation can be helpful whether or not a child is currently receiving therapy themselves. It can provide space to think through difficult situations, understand what may be happening, and consider different ways of responding.

Where helpful, I can also liaise with schools or other professionals involved in a child’s care.

There is no single psychological approach that will suit every child with PANS/PANDAS. I have found that support needs to take account of a range of factors, including a child’s developmental stage, possible neurodevelopmental profile, symptoms, preferences, family context and what they are able to manage at that particular point in time. Therapy may therefore look quite different from one child to another, and may need to adapt as their needs and capacity change.

If you are unsure whether psychological support may be helpful, please do get in touch. We can arrange a free 15-minute initial phone call to think together about what may be most appropriate for your child and family.