Branch Trainings

Children with PANS/PANDAS may present in the playroom with sudden and sometimes dramatic changes in behavior, emotional regulation, anxiety, compulsions, sensory experiences, attention, or social functioning. For play therapists, understanding PANDAS can help us look beyond the behavior itself and consider the possible neurological and physiological factors influencing a child’s capacity to regulate, connect, and engage in play. A child who was previously flexible, social, or confident may suddenly become fearful, rigid, dysregulated, or overwhelmed, and these changes can be confusing for both the child and the adults around them. A trauma-informed, developmentally sensitive approach invites the therapist to respond with curiosity rather than judgment, prioritize safety and co-regulation, adapt the playroom environment to the child’s changing needs, and recognize that symptoms may fluctuate. By understanding the potential impact of PANDAS, play therapists can provide a supportive therapeutic space that honors the child’s experience while working collaboratively with caregivers and the child’s medical providers.

For child therapists, understanding PANS/PANDAS is essential because these behaviors may look very different from traditional psychiatric or developmental presentations. A child who was previously functioning well may suddenly struggle with intense fears, compulsions, rage, separation anxiety, or emotional outbursts that feel beyond their ability to control. These changes can be frightening and confusing for both the child and their family.

This presentation will provide an introduction to PANS/PANDAS, explore how these conditions can affect a child’s emotional and behavioral experience, and discuss ways therapists can recognize potential red flags, support children and families with self-regulation strategies, and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Play therapists spend much of their professional lives caring for and supporting others, often while navigating emotionally demanding clinical work, complex client needs, and competing professional and personal responsibilities. Without intentional attention to wellness, these demands can contribute to stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. This interactive webinar will explore factors that contribute to burnout among play therapists and the potential impact on both the therapist and the play therapy process. Participants will examine personal, professional, and systemic factors that influence wellness and consider practical approaches to sustainable self-care. Through reflection and experiential activities, participants will identify strategies for “refilling” themselves and develop ideas for incorporating intentional self-care and burnout prevention into their personal and professional lives as play therapists.