When your child suddenly develops severe anxiety, obsessive behaviors, or dramatic personality changes, it can feel overwhelming and frightening. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) require specialized understanding and treatment approaches that many practitioners lack.

At IMPACT Psychological Services in Westchester County, we provide comprehensive PANDAS/PANS treatment combining evidence-based therapeutic interventions with compassionate care. Our experienced team understands the complex interplay between immune system dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms, offering hope and healing for families navigating this challenging condition.

Located in the heart of Westchester County, we serve families throughout the region with both in-person and telehealth options, ensuring accessible care when you need it most. Our integrative approach addresses not just the symptoms, but the whole child and family system affected by PANDAS/PANS.

PANDAS and PANS represent complex neuropsychiatric conditions where immune system dysfunction triggers sudden-onset behavioral and emotional symptoms in children.

These conditions often follow infections and can dramatically alter a child's personality, causing severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, tics, and emotional volatility that can devastate families and disrupt daily functioning.

Our PANDAS/PANS treatment program begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand your child's unique presentation and symptom pattern.

We utilize specialized diagnostic tools and collaborate with medical providers to ensure a complete understanding of both the neuropsychiatric and medical aspects of the condition. This thorough evaluation informs our targeted treatment approach.

Treatment typically involves a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy adapted for PANDAS/PANS, family therapy to address system-wide impacts, and specialized interventions targeting obsessive-compulsive symptoms and anxiety. We work closely with your child's medical team to coordinate care and ensure treatment approaches complement any medical interventions.

Our therapists maintain specialized training in PANDAS/PANS treatment and stay current with emerging research in this rapidly evolving field. We understand that traditional therapy approaches may need modification for children with immune-mediated neuropsychiatric symptoms, and we tailor our interventions accordingly to maximize effectiveness and minimize frustration for both children and families.

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KEY BENEFITS

Take the First Step Towards Healing

PANDAS and PANS require specialized knowledge that extends beyond traditional child psychology training. Our team has invested in advanced training specifically focused on immune-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders, understanding the unique challenges these conditions present. In Westchester County, where families often struggle to find knowledgeable providers, we offer the specialized expertise needed for effective treatment.
We stay current with the latest research developments in PANDAS/PANS treatment, attending specialized conferences and maintaining connections with leading researchers in the field. This commitment to ongoing education ensures that our Westchester families receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments available.
Our understanding of the medical complexity behind these conditions allows us to provide therapy that works synergistically with medical interventions rather than in isolation.
PANDAS and PANS don't just affect the diagnosed child – they impact entire family systems. Parents often experience trauma from witnessing their child's dramatic changes, siblings may feel confused and neglected, and family routines become centered around managing symptoms. Our comprehensive approach addresses these system-wide impacts, providing support and strategies for all family members.
In our Westchester County practice, we've seen how PANDAS/PANS can strain even the strongest families. We provide parent coaching to help you understand your child's condition, develop effective management strategies, and maintain your own emotional well-being throughout the treatment process. Family therapy sessions help rebuild connection and communication that may have been damaged during acute symptom periods.
Our approach recognizes that successful PANDAS/PANS treatment requires family resilience and understanding. We work with parents to develop realistic expectations, celebrate small victories, and maintain hope during challenging periods. This comprehensive support system creates the foundation necessary for your child's recovery and your family's healing.
Traditional therapeutic approaches may not be effective for children whose symptoms stem from immune system dysfunction. We utilize specialized interventions designed specifically for PANDAS/PANS, including modified cognitive-behavioral therapy that accounts for neuroinflammation's impact on cognitive functioning. Our evidence-based approaches target the specific symptom clusters common in these conditions.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for PANDAS-related OCD requires careful modification to account for the underlying medical condition. We understand how to pace interventions appropriately, when to intensify treatment, and when to modify approaches based on your child's immune status and symptom fluctuations. This specialized knowledge prevents the frustration that can occur when traditional approaches are applied inappropriately.
Our Westchester County location allows us to collaborate closely with local medical providers, including pediatricians, psychiatrists, and immunologists who understand PANDAS/PANS. This collaborative approach ensures that psychological interventions are timed appropriately with medical treatments, maximizing the effectiveness of all interventions and providing comprehensive care for your child.
Located in Mamaroneck, our practice is easily accessible to families throughout Westchester County, including White Plains, Rye, New Rochelle, and surrounding communities. We understand that PANDAS/PANS symptoms can fluctuate unpredictably, making consistent appointment attendance challenging. Our flexible scheduling accommodates symptom flares and provides makeup sessions when needed.
For families dealing with school refusal or severe contamination fears – common in PANDAS/PANS – we offer telehealth options that maintain treatment continuity when in-person attendance becomes difficult. This flexibility ensures that treatment progress continues even during acute symptom periods. Our Westchester location also provides easy access to other medical specialists your child may need, creating a coordinated care network.
We recognize the significant time investment required for PANDAS/PANS treatment and work with families to minimize travel burden while maximizing treatment effectiveness. Our understanding of the local healthcare landscape helps us make appropriate referrals and coordinate care with other Westchester County providers familiar with these conditions.
Collaborative Medical Integration and Care Coordination
Effective PANDAS/PANS treatment requires seamless collaboration between psychological and medical providers. We maintain established relationships with pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other medical specialists throughout Westchester County who understand these complex conditions. This network ensures comprehensive care that addresses both the psychological and medical aspects of PANDAS/PANS.
Our team regularly communicates with your child's medical providers, sharing progress updates and coordinating treatment timing. We understand how medical treatments like antibiotics, IVIG, or plasmapheresis can impact psychological symptoms and adjust our therapeutic approaches accordingly. This integration prevents conflicting recommendations and ensures all treatments work synergistically.
We also provide detailed assessment reports that help medical providers understand the psychological presentation of your child's condition. Our comprehensive documentation supports medical decision-making and insurance authorization processes, advocating for your child's needs within the broader healthcare system.
PANDAS/PANS recovery is rarely linear, with potential for symptom recurrence during future infections or stress periods. We provide ongoing support that extends beyond acute treatment phases, helping families develop relapse prevention strategies and maintain treatment gains over time. Our long-term approach recognizes that these conditions may require periodic support throughout childhood and adolescence.
We teach families to recognize early warning signs of symptom recurrence and provide strategies for immediate intervention. This proactive approach often prevents full-scale relapses and reduces the duration and intensity of future episodes. Our ongoing availability provides peace of mind for Westchester County families navigating the uncertainties of these conditions.
Regular check-ins and maintenance sessions help consolidate treatment gains and address new challenges as they arise. We understand that children with PANDAS/PANS may need different levels of support at different times, and we adjust our involvement based on current needs and symptom status.

Service Catagories

Together, we navigate the journey toward healing, resilience, and positive change. See how we can help you.

Comprehensive PANDAS/PANS Assessment

Our thorough assessment process evaluates the full spectrum of PANDAS/PANS symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive behaviors, anxiety, tics, mood changes, and regression in academic or social functioning. We utilize standardized assessment tools combined with clinical interviews to develop a complete understanding of your child's presentation and treatment needs.

Individual Therapy for PANDAS/PANS

Specialized individual therapy addresses the core symptoms of PANDAS/PANS using evidence-based interventions modified for immune-mediated conditions. Treatment focuses on reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms, managing anxiety, and helping children regain confidence and functioning. Our approach accounts for the neurobiological aspects of these conditions while building coping skills and resilience.

School Consultation and Advocacy

Many children with PANDAS/PANS experience significant academic impacts, including attention difficulties, school refusal, and behavioral challenges. We provide consultation to schools and educational teams, helping them understand these conditions and implement appropriate accommodations. Our advocacy ensures children receive the necessary educational supports during treatment and recovery.

Family Therapy and Parent Support

PANDAS/PANS impacts entire families, often creating stress, confusion, and strained relationships. Our family therapy addresses these system-wide effects while providing parents with education, support, and practical strategies for managing symptoms at home. We help families rebuild connection and establish new patterns of interaction that support recovery.

Our Process

STEP ONE

Initial Comprehensive Assessment

Your journey begins with an extensive evaluation to understand your child's unique presentation of PANDAS/PANS symptoms. This assessment includes detailed developmental and medical history, symptom timeline analysis, and standardized testing to establish baseline functioning. We collaborate with your medical providers to gather relevant laboratory and medical information, ensuring a complete picture of your child's condition. The assessment typically takes 2-3 sessions and provides the foundation for your individualized treatment plan. We also assess family dynamics and support systems to inform our comprehensive approach.

STEP THREE

Active Treatment Phase

Treatment typically involves weekly sessions combining individual work with your child and family sessions. Individual therapy targets specific symptoms like obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety using specialized interventions. Family sessions focus on education, communication improvement, and developing effective home management strategies. We maintain regular communication with medical providers and adjust our approach based on your child's medical status and symptom changes.

STEP TWO

Treatment Planning and Goal Setting

Based on assessment findings, we develop a targeted treatment plan addressing your child's specific symptom profile and family needs. Goals are established collaboratively with parents and age-appropriate children, focusing on symptom reduction, functional improvement, and family healing. The plan includes specific therapeutic interventions, timeline expectations, and coordination with medical treatments. We ensure that goals are realistic yet ambitious, accounting for the fluctuating nature of PANDAS/PANS symptoms while maintaining hope and motivation for recovery.

STEP FOUR

Progress Monitoring and Maintenance

Recovery progress is carefully monitored using standardized measures and clinical observation. As symptoms improve, we gradually reduce session frequency while maintaining support for relapse prevention. We provide ongoing consultation for new challenges and periodic check-ins to maintain treatment gains. Our long-term approach recognizes that PANDAS/PANS may require intermittent support throughout development.

Our Approach

At IMPACT Psychological Services, our approach to PANDAS/PANS treatment is grounded in the understanding that these conditions represent complex interactions between immune system dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

We reject the false dichotomy that symptoms are either "medical" or "psychological," instead embracing an integrative model that addresses the whole child within their family system. Our therapeutic philosophy recognizes that effective treatment must account for the neurobiological underpinnings of these conditions while providing practical tools for symptom management and recovery.

Our methodology combines evidence-based therapeutic interventions with specialized modifications for immune-mediated symptoms. We utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques adapted for children whose cognitive functioning may be impacted by neuroinflammation. Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD symptoms is carefully paced and modified based on the child's medical status and symptom fluctuations. Family therapy addresses the trauma and disruption that PANDAS/PANS creates within family systems, helping parents understand their child's condition while rebuilding healthy relationships and communication patterns.

The Westchester County community presents unique advantages for PANDAS/PANS treatment, including access to medical specialists, research institutions, and educational resources. We leverage these local assets while addressing region-specific challenges like educational advocacy and insurance navigation. Our approach emphasizes collaboration with other providers in the Westchester area, creating a coordinated care network that supports comprehensive treatment and long-term recovery.

We maintain a realistic yet hopeful perspective, acknowledging the challenges of PANDAS/PANS while emphasizing the potential for significant improvement and recovery. Our treatment approach evolves with emerging research while remaining grounded in proven therapeutic principles, ensuring that Westchester families receive both innovative and reliable care for these complex conditions.

FAQs

IMPACT Psychological Services has been serving Westchester County families from our Mamaroneck location, specializing in comprehensive mental health services for children, adolescents, and families. Our founders, Dr. Talya Cohen and Dr. Tracy Prout, bring advanced postdoctoral training and specialized expertise in complex pediatric conditions, including PANDAS/PANS.

About Us

PANDAS and PANS are characterized by a sudden, dramatic onset of symptoms following an infection, along with multiple symptom clusters including OCD, anxiety, tics, mood changes, and regression in functioning. Unlike typical childhood OCD or anxiety that develops gradually, PANDAS/PANS symptoms appear abruptly and often severely. The timing relationship to infections and the constellation of symptoms help differentiate these conditions. Our comprehensive assessment can help determine if your child's presentation fits PANDAS/PANS criteria.
Most children with PANDAS/PANS benefit from a combination of psychological and medical interventions. While therapy addresses symptom management, coping skills, and family functioning, medical treatments may be necessary to address the underlying immune dysfunction. We work collaboratively with your child's medical providers to coordinate care and ensure that therapeutic interventions complement medical treatments. The specific combination of treatments depends on your child's symptom severity and individual presentation.
Treatment duration varies significantly based on symptom severity, individual response, and whether medical interventions are also utilized. Some children show improvement within weeks, while others require months or longer for substantial recovery. The fluctuating nature of these conditions means that treatment may need to be intensified during flares and can be reduced during stable periods. We focus on building resilience and coping skills that serve children long-term, even if ongoing maintenance support is occasionally needed.
Yes, we offer telehealth services for New York residents when in-person attendance becomes difficult due to symptoms like school refusal, contamination fears, or severe anxiety. Many children with PANDAS/PANS go through periods where leaving home feels impossible, and telehealth ensures treatment continuity during these challenging times. We maintain the same therapeutic quality and engagement through secure video platforms while providing flexibility that supports consistent treatment participation.
We are out-of-network providers but work with Mentaya to help families utilize their out-of-network benefits to reduce treatment costs. Many insurance plans provide coverage for mental health services when provided by licensed clinicians. We provide detailed documentation and billing support to help families navigate insurance reimbursement. Given the specialized nature of PANDAS/PANS treatment, we focus on providing the highest quality care rather than limiting services based on insurance constraints.