Q&A: How can I support my child with PANS or PANDAS through anxiety and OCD?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions! In this episode, Dr. Emily Upshur and I talk about...

• Whether parents should wait to address anxiety or OCD symptoms while their child is in a PANS or PANDAS flare.

• How to tell the difference between supporting your child and unintentionally strengthening anxiety.

• Why the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) approach helps parents create lasting change without requiring their child to participate in therapy.

• Why you don't have to start with the biggest or hardest challenge to see meaningful progress.

• How reducing just a few anxiety-driven routines can lead to improvements across many different areas of your child's life.

• Practical ways to help your child build confidence in handling anxiety while feeling deeply supported and understood.

• Resources for parents who want to learn more about SPACE therapy and find trained providers.

Whether your child has PANS, PANDAS, OCD, or anxiety more broadly, this episode will help you better understand your role in the treatment process and give you practical, evidence-based strategies for supporting your child with confidence, compassion, and hope.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🔗Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Podcast with Nancy O'Hara MD 

👉 Looking for support for a child struggling with anxiety or OCD? If your child is struggling with anxiety or OCD, Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers SPACE-based parent support through both a virtual group and individualized care. Go to upshurbren.com/space to learn more or book a free 30-minute consultation with our care team, who will listen carefully and help you determine the best support for your family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about PANS/PANDAS with Dr. Nancy O'Hara

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Dr. Eli Lebowitz

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the line between supporting your child and feeding their anxiety

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!