PANS & PANDAS–Informed OCD Therapy 
​When OCD Appears Suddenly, Intensely, and “Out of Nowhere”
If your child’s OCD or anxiety seemed to arrive overnight, escalated dramatically after illness, or looks nothing like what you’ve read about “typical OCD,” you may be looking at PANS or PANDAS.
As an OCD specialist, I work with families navigating sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms with a calm, evidence-based, and grounded approach—one that honors both the medical reality and the psychological impact of these conditions.

Specialized Care for Sudden-Onset OCD and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
I provide expert evaluation and evidence-based treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults impacted by PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections).
When symptoms appear overnight—severe OCD, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or regression—it can be frightening and confusing for families. You are not imagining it, and you are not alone. I am here to help you understand what’s happening and guide your family toward recovery.



What Are PANS and PANDAS?
PANS and PANDAS are conditions in which a child’s immune system mistakenly affects the brain, leading to a sudden and dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
PANDAS is a subtype of PANS linked specifically to Group A Streptococcal infections (such as strep throat).
PANS is broader and may be triggered by:

• Other infections (viral or bacterial)
• Inflammatory or autoimmune processes
• Metabolic or environmental stressors

In both cases, the brain becomes a target of immune activity, particularly in areas responsible for emotion regulation, behavior, and threat detection.


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Common Signs & SymptomsSymptoms often appear abruptly, sometimes within 24–72 hours, and may include:

• Sudden onset OCD (new rituals, intrusive thoughts, reassurance seeking)
  
• Severe separation anxiety
  
• Emotional lability, rage episodes, or irritability
  
• Regression (baby talk, clinginess, loss of skills)
  
• Sensory sensitivities (light, sound, clothing)
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
• Urinary frequency or bedwetting
  
• Food restriction or sudden eating changes
  
• ADHD-like symptoms or cognitive fog
  

Many parents report:
“This is not my child. Something changed overnight.”

How PANS/PANDAS Is Different From “Typical” OCD. While OCD is always neurobiological, PANS/PANDAS has a medical trigger that must be taken seriously.
Key differences:

• Sudden onset vs gradual development
• Fluctuating severity tied to illness or immune activation
• Often co-occurs with physical symptoms
• Requires collaborative medical + psychological care

My Treatment Approach: I take a whole-person, multidisciplinary-informed approach, grounded in science and compassion.
1. Comprehensive Clinical AssessmentI evaluate:

• Symptom onset timeline
• Infection and illness history
• OCD vs anxiety vs trauma vs neuroimmune features
• Functional impairment at home and school

2. ERP-Informed Therapy (When Appropriate)I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) carefully and flexibly:

• Adjusted for developmental level
• Modified during inflammatory flares
• Focused on reducing accommodation without overwhelming the nervous system

ERP is introduced when the brain is ready, not forced prematurely.
3. Parent Coaching & Family SupportParents are not the problem—but they are a critical part of healing.
I help caregivers:

• Reduce accommodation safely
• Respond to symptoms without reinforcing fear
• Understand what is behavior vs biology
• Advocate effectively in schools and medical settings

4. Collaboration With Medical ProvidersI regularly coordinate with:

• Pediatricians
• Immunologists
• Neurologists
• Functional & integrative providers

While I do not provide medical treatment, I help families understand how mental health care fits into the larger treatment plan.

Who I Work WithI support:

• Children and adolescents with suspected or diagnosed PANS/PANDAS
  
• Young adults with a PANS/PANDAS history
  
• Families seeking accurate diagnosis, not dismissal
  
• Clients misdiagnosed as “just anxious,” “defiant,” or “behavioral”
  

I serve families across multiple states via secure telehealth.

Take the Next StepIf your child’s symptoms appeared suddenly or worsened dramatically following illness, we encourage you to reach out.
👉 Schedule a consultation
👉 Ask about PANS/PANDAS-informed therapy
👉 Learn how to support your child without reinforcing symptoms
You don’t have to navigate this alone.