Our Origin Story.
MIND Global Council (MGC) began with identifying
a significant need for further development of the psychotherapeutic pillar of PANS/PANDAS. Mental health practitioners are often the first professionals to evaluate children due to prominent behavioral symptoms. As a result, clinicians are seeking clearer guidance on how to support families in accessing appropriate medical care while also managing complex behaviors until medical interventions can provide stabilization. MGC seeks to bridge the gap between evidence-informed psychotherapy interventions and clinical practice for mental health professionals.
Meet the Co-Founders.

President, Co-Founder
Joelle Kekhoua, MA, LPC
Joelle Kekhoua, MA, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 30 years of experience as a clinician providing mental health care to adults, children, and families throughout Michigan. Throughout this period, as an owner and clinical director of two group practices, she has provided supervision and training to numerous clinicians. She has held teaching positions in counseling at the university level and has delivered a substantial number of trainings to professionals and the community. As a clinician, her specialization lies in supporting individuals and families grappling with neuroimmune psychiatric disorders, such as PANS/PANDAS and Autoimmune Encephalitis (AE). Her dedication to advancing professional standards and competency in treating this challenging population, stemming from her role as an educator and supervisor, led her to establish the Mental health In NeuroImmune Disorders (MIND) Global Council. The MIND Global Council functions as an international alliance of clinicians and researchers dedicated to advancing ethical, informed mental health care for individuals and families navigating complex immune-inflammatory conditions, including PANS, PANDAS, autoimmune encephalitis, and related neuroimmune or autoinflammatory disorders. Joelle is also an EMDR Certified Therapist and an EMDR Consultant in Training, possessing expertise in utilizing EMDR for complex symptoms associated with neuroimmune disorders, such as PANS/PANDAS, OCD, Eating Disorders, PTSD, and Dissociation. She has received Intensive Training in DBT (Linehan’s Behavioral Tech), and holds additional training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Furthermore, she maintains active membership in several professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), PANDAS Physicians Network, and the NeuroImmune Institute (Clinician Impact Circle). She serves on the IOCDF PANS/PANDAS Neuroimmune Special Interest Group. Her involvement in these networks ensures she remains at the forefront of advances in clinical research and innovative treatment approaches.

Vice President, Co-Founder
Zoe Gillispie, PhD
Zoe Gillispie, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in community mental health, medical inpatient cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries, and outpatient primary care. Dr. Gillispie began providing mental health care to individuals diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS in 2006. Today, she is a co-founder of the MIND Global Council, where she conducts research and provides training for clinicians on immune-mediated neuropsychiatric conditions across the United States. She also supports children, teens, and adults by providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy in her private practice. Dr. Gillispie specializes in the treatment of anxiety, OCD, autism spectrum disorders, and neuroimmune conditions and has pursued advanced training in biofeedback, exposure therapy, ERP, SPACE, couples therapy, and is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Gillispie is a member of the California Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, the Neuroimmune Institute, and IOCDF. She serves on the IOCDF PANS/PANDAS Neuroimmune Special Interest Group.

Treasurer, Co-Founder
Angela Henry, LCSW
Angela M. Henry, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the Founder of the Center for Collaborative Healing, LLC, where she provides specialized psychotherapy services to individuals and families throughout Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Angela is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex mental health and neuroimmune challenges with compassion, evidence-based care, and a deeply collaborative approach. Her clinical expertise includes the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), anxiety-related disorders, body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), Tourette Syndrome, trauma, and neuroimmune conditions such as PANS and PANDAS. Angela’s integrative therapeutic style combines exposure-based interventions, trauma-informed care, and neuroscience-guided strategies to promote meaningful and sustainable recovery. Angela is a certified EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist and utilizes this approach to help individuals heal from trauma and intrusive experiences that often accompany chronic or anxiety-related conditions. She has completed extensive specialized training through the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. Her advanced education includes completion of the IOCDF’s Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and the Tourette Association of America’s Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) training program. She is also a graduate of the Professional Training Institute (VPTI) through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs, further deepening her expertise in treating hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), and related disorders. Angela’s commitment to ongoing education and collaboration is reflected in her active membership in several professional organizations, including the International OCD Foundation, the TLC Foundation for BFRBs, the Tourette Association of America, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the Neuroimmune Institute’s Impact Circle. She serves as the co-chair of the IOCDF PANS/PANDAS Neuroimmune Special Interest Group. Her participation in these networks keeps her at the forefront of advances in clinical research and innovative treatment approaches. In addition to her clinical practice, Angela is passionate about advocacy and interdisciplinary collaboration. She serves as a regular contributor to the podcast Flying Through Fog, an organization that supports children and families affected by neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric conditions. She is also a founding member of The MIND Global Council, an international alliance of clinicians, researchers, and advocates working to transform mental health care for individuals and families affected by neuroimmune and autoinflammatory disorders, including PANS, PANDAS, autoimmune encephalitis, and related conditions. Through her work, Angela strives to bridge the gap between mental health and medical care, ensuring that clients receive compassionate, integrative, and informed support. Her practice emphasizes collaboration among clients, families, and multidisciplinary providers, with a goal of fostering healing, understanding, and resilience. Guided by empathy and clinical precision, Angela’s mission is to create a therapeutic space where individuals and families feel seen, supported, and empowered on their path to recovery.

Australia Partnerships Director & Co-Secretary, Co-Founder
Brita List
Brita List is a Clinical Psychologist and board-approved supervisor based in Sydney, Australia. Her clinical work focuses on anxiety and mood disorders across the lifespan, particularly where mental health intersects with acute and chronic health conditions. She has a specific interest and clinical experience in PANS and consistently works with multiple PANS clients. In October 2024, Brita commenced a part-time PhD at Macquarie University, with the aim of clarifying the role of psychologists in the assessment and treatment of PANS. She has also completed the Gut Smart course for Psychological Health in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Brita has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with anxiety and mood disorders through the Emotional Health Clinic at Macquarie University (ongoing). She supervises Master of Clinical Psychology students on placement and delivers the Cool Kids Program for anxiety in school-aged children and adolescents in a flexible, individualised manner. She also currently works in solo private practice, predominantly with individuals and families affected by PANS. Brita has also worked as a treating clinician on multiple research trials, providing assessment and intervention for children, adolescents, parents, and older adults experiencing mood disorders, somatic symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and challenges impacting quality of life. Alongside anxiety, mood, and emotion dysregulation concerns, her clinical work includes supporting individuals where mental health is affected by acute and chronic health conditions. Her approach draws primarily on Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT) and other evidence-based modalities. She is neurodiverse-affirming and LGBTQIAP+🏳️🌈 affirming, and values diversity while maintaining a strong focus on client-centred, functional goals. She works collaboratively to distinguish between challenges best addressed through psychological intervention and those requiring environmental or systemic accommodations to support meaningful participation in life. Her clinical interests include work with individuals experiencing: -Anxiety (e.g., social, separation, generalised anxiety, specific phobias, selective mutism, panic), including delivery as an Accredited Program Provider for the Cool Kids Program -Chronic or acute low mood -Neurodiversity, including Autistic and ADHD profiles, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, twice-exceptionality, learning differences, sensory overwhelm, ARFID, and emotional outbursts -Complex health conditions, including PANS, IBS, IBD, POTS, EDS, ME/CFS, FND, long COVID, autoimmune and hormonal conditions, and chronic pain. -Identity development, life stages, and transitions, including LGBTQIAP+ experiences, interpersonal relationships, confidence building, education, career transitions, parenthood, burnout, retirement, and the psychological impact of health conditions -Additional concerns, such as emotion dysregulation, bullying, peer relationship difficulties, assertive communication skills, and school attendance challenges (“school can’t”) Professional Memberships: Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA) Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy (AACBT) Clinician Impact Circle, Neuroimmune Institute She is a Co-Administrator of the PANS Therapists Collective (professionals’ Facebook group) and a Co-Founder of the Mental Health in Neuroimmune Disorders (MIND) Global Council.

UK Partnerships Director & Co-Secretary
Co-Founder
Lucy McDonald, MA
Lucy is a child and adolescent psychotherapist based in London, specialising in the care of children and families affected by neuroimmune disorders. She is a member of the UKCP and BACP. Her integrative approach is grounded in psychodynamic and attachment-based practice and informed by neuroscience. What sets her work apart is its attention to the neuroimmune and biological dimensions of a child's presentation, recognising that symptoms such as OCD may have underlying biological drivers. Because these illnesses flare and remit, Lucy paces therapy to the child's capacity rather than a fixed protocol and understands the difference between a flare and resistance or a parenting problem. Her work is trauma-informed, OCD-aware and draws on training in ERP, SPACE and DBT (Level 2). Lucy additionally has a foundation in art therapy. She works closely with parents, supporting them through the day-to-day challenges and the grief that often accompany PANS. Lucy is a committed advocate for these conditions. She hosts the PANS PANDAS Stories podcast, helped establish the All-Party Parliamentary Group on PANS and PANDAS, presents to professionals through PANS PANDAS UK, and is helping to write the charity's Education, Health and Social Care Guidelines. As Co-Founder and UK Partnerships Director of The MIND Global Council, she works with an international alliance of clinicians, researchers and advocates to transform care for affected families. Her hope is that no child's biological illness is ever mistaken for a purely psychological one.
Strategic Initiatives Team.

Mental Health Advocacy & Legislative Affairs
Barb Shepard, LMHC-D
Barb Shepard is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has worked in the helping profession since 2010, supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families across residential treatment, foster care, school-based special education, outpatient substance use programs, and private practice. She specializes in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and anxiety, with advanced training in pediatric OCD through the International OCD Foundation's Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI). She has also completed 60 hours of intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) training at Columbia University through Linehan's Behavioral Tech Institute, and training in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). Barb has a specialized focus in PANS/PANDAS and works closely with physicians, schools, hospitals, and interdisciplinary care teams across New York State. She consults with clinicians on differential diagnosis, treatment planning, and systems navigation for these complex cases, and teaches introductory continuing education trainings on PANS/PANDAS care through the Hudson Valley Professional Institute. Barb is deeply committed to systems-level change in PANS/PANDAS care. As a member of MIND Global Council's strategic initiatives team, she helps strengthen coordinated advocacy at the state, national, and international levels. In New York, she is leading a legislative effort to require insurance coverage for PANS/PANDAS treatment, working with stakeholders across all branches of government to close critical gaps in care. In 2025, Barb organized Syracuse's first World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day event and in 2026, she secured New York's first-ever Governor's proclamation recognizing PANS/PANDAS, with 16 landmarks across the state, including Niagara Falls, set to light up on World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day. Additionally, Barb is a professional member of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and participates in its monthly PANS, PANDAS, and Immune-Mediated OCD Special Interest Group. Barb is a mom of two boys, residing in Syracuse, NY. Her parenting experiences have profoundly shaped her heart-forward approach in working with youth and families navigating medical crises.

Director of Global Communications
Breanne Failor
Breanne Failor is a parent advocate for PANS/PANDAS, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her role. She is the mother of three boys, one of whom was diagnosed with PANS. With a background in marketing, communications, and advocacy, she has dedicated herself to raising awareness and improving access to evidence-based care for children affected by PANS/PANDAS and related neuroimmune conditions. Breanne has collaborated with treatment providers and advocacy organizations to emphasize the urgent need for integrated medical and mental health support, while also guiding families through complex care systems. She is committed to bridging research and lived experience to advance more effective and compassionate care for children and families impacted by brain inflammation.

Principle Investigator for Research
Rachel Judy, MA, PhD
Rachel Judy (MA Rhetoric, PhD Communication ‘27) is a professor, researcher, and communicator. Her background in higher education includes 12 years teaching at the university level and 6 years teaching at community colleges. She holds professional memberships with National Communication Association, Religious Communication Association, and Pop Culture Association of America. She is a Collaborative Discussion Coach through the Interactivity Foundation, and holds a certificate in Conflict Management & Mediation. Rachel joined MGC as Principal Investigator for research currently being conducted. She brings to the table survey design and quantitative data analysis, synthesizing responses into usable data that will inform future guidelines for clinicians serving clients with neuroimmune conditions. With a background in education, strategic communication, and public relations, Rachel is the communications and research arm of MIND Global Council. She is excited to work with the team to advance advocacy and education in a field that is near and dear to her heart. Rachel is a mom of 3. She lives in Long Beach, CA, her favorite sport is theatre, and she firmly believes that most problems can be solved by dark chocolate.
Council Members.

Sam Cuming
Sam Cuming has been a Registered Psychologist since 2009, and is based in Sydney, Australia. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with First Class Honours and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, both from Macquarie University. She has broad clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, and has a strong grounding in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), including the Cool Kids Program. Over the last 10 years, she has focused on supporting parents using compassion-focused, trauma-informed and nervous-system-based approaches, as well as guiding them in connection-based parenting. She is currently undertaking a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychological Sciences at Macquarie University, examining the psychosocial support needs of parents of children with PANS/PANDAS. In 2026, Sam was first author on a published systematic review in Child Psychiatry and Human Development examining the lived experience and psychosocial impact of caring for a child with PANS. Sam is also a member of the Human Research Ethics Committee for the Parenting Research Centre in Australia.
Milestones & Distinctions.
1 / Advocacy & Social Justice Award
We are thrilled to celebrate Angela Henry, recipient of the 2026 Advocacy and Social Justice Award from the Indiana Counseling Association.
This distinguished recognition honors professionals whose dedication to advocacy, social justice, and the protection of client rights advances both the counseling profession and the communities it serves.
Angela’s commitment to elevating voices, championing equitable care, and advocating for the dignity and rights of those she serves exemplifies the very best of our profession. Her work reflects the profound impact that compassionate leadership and purposeful advocacy can have on individuals, communities, and the future of mental health care.
MIND Global Council proudly celebrates Angela and this exceptionally well-deserved honor.
2 / A Historic Milestone: 16 New York Landmarks Illuminate Green for PANS/PANDAS
In 2026, Barb Shepard, representing MIND Global Council, initiated a collaborative partnership with the New York State Office of the Chief Disability Officer to advance statewide awareness of PANS/PANDAS and legislative mental health advocacy.
Through Shepard’s advocacy and collaboration with the Office of the Chief Disability Officer, 16 New York State landmarks were secured for green illumination on October 9, World PANS/PANDAS Awareness Day, marking a historic first for statewide recognition of these conditions. This historic initiative represents the largest coordinated landmark illumination for PANS/PANDAS awareness in a single geographic region worldwide.
Participating landmarks included:
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Niagara Falls
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Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
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Kosciuszko Bridge
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H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
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New York State Education Building
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Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
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Empire State Plaza
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New York State Fairgrounds Main Gate & Expo Center
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Mid-Hudson Bridge
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Grand Central/Pershing Square Viaduct
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Albany International Airport Gateway
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LIRR East End Gateway at Penn Station
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Fairport Lift Bridge
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Moynihan Train Hall
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Roosevelt Island Lighthouse
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One World Trade Center
Community Partnership: ASPIRE | Syracuse, NY
In Syracuse, Shepard also serves as a volunteer with ASPIRE and leads the organization’s annual PANS/PANDAS awareness gathering and green illumination of the National Grid Building in collaboration with ASPIRE's team. This local initiative represents an important community component of the broader statewide awareness effort, bringing together affected families, healthcare professionals, and advocates.
Disclaimer
MGC members, leaders, advisors, and contributors may maintain independent
professional practices or affiliations. Those independent activities are separate from
MGC. MGC is not responsible for clinical services, opinions, recommendations, or
treatment provided by individuals outside their official MGC role.
