Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) Treatment
Virtual PNES Therapy in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota & Florida for Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults
Psychotherapy for PNES
If your child, teen, or young adult has recently been diagnosed with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), you may feel overwhelmed, confused, scared, or unsure where to turn next.
At Ezer Psychotherapy, we specialize in evidence-based therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults living with PNES and other Functional Neurologic Disorders (FND). We provide secure virtual treatment for families throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Florida.
Many families come to us after months—or even years—of medical testing, emergency room visits, EEGs, neurologist appointments, school disruptions, and unanswered questions. Our goal is to help young people understand what is happening in their brain and body, reduce symptoms, regain functioning, and move forward with confidence and hope.
What Are Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)?
Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)—also known as functional seizures, non-epileptic events (NEEs), dissociative seizures, or Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder—are episodes that can look very similar to epileptic seizures, but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They are a type of Functional Neurologic Disorder.
People with PNES may experience:
Convulsive-like episodes
Shaking or tremors
Collapsing episodes
Unresponsiveness
Staring spells
Muscle weakness
Dissociation or “zoning out”
Sudden emotional overwhelm
Fatigue after episodes
Difficulty attending school or activities
Although PNES is not a neurological emergency in the same way as epileptic seizures, the experiences are very real and can feel frightening, disruptive, and confusing. These episodes are not intentional, not consciously produced, and not “all in your head.”
PNES is understood as a functional nervous system response—often reflecting how the brain and body process stress, emotions, past experiences, or overwhelm. For some individuals, episodes are connected to anxiety, trauma, or difficulty regulating intense emotions. For others, PNES may develop in the absence of a clear psychological trigger and instead reflect patterns of nervous system dysregulation or learned body-based responses to certain cues.
With the right understanding and treatment, many individuals can significantly reduce symptoms and regain a sense of safety, stability, and control in daily life.
Specialized PNES Therapy for Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults
At Ezer Psychotherapy, therapy is designed specifically for the developmental needs of children, teens, college students, and young adults.
Treatment is individualized and may include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for PNES
Nervous system regulation strategies
Mind-body interventions
Psychoeducation about FND and functional seizures
Emotional regulation skill development
Exposure and response prevention for symptom-related avoidance
Trauma-informed therapy approaches
Family involvement and parent coaching
School reintegration support
Stress management and coping strategies
Treatment for co-occurring anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, or eating disorders
For children and teens, parents and caregivers are an important part of treatment.
Why Early Treatment for PNES Matters
Without proper treatment, PNES can significantly affect:
School attendance and academic performance
Sports and extracurricular activities
Friendships and social functioning
Independence and identity development
Family stress and caregiver burnout
Confidence and emotional well-being
The good news is that recovery is possible. Many young people experience meaningful improvement when they receive specialized, evidence-based treatment focused on functional symptoms and nervous system regulation.
Two Options for Treatment at Ezer Psychotherapy:
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy with Hallie is personalized, collaborative, and thoughtfully paced to meet your unique needs. Whether you or your child have recently been diagnosed with Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND) or have been navigating symptoms for years, therapy offers a supportive and non-judgmental space to better understand the connection between the mind and body.
Treatment focuses on helping patients reduce fear, anxiety, symptom-related avoidance, and nervous system overwhelm while building practical tools for emotional regulation, coping, and recovery. Hallie works alongside children, teens, young adults, and families to help restore a sense of safety, confidence, and hope.
At Ezer Psychotherapy, recovery from FND and related mind–body conditions is viewed as a journey of reconnection—between body and mind, emotions and physical symptoms, and individuals and the relationships that support healing.
Therapy Intensives
Therapy intensives are designed for children, teens, young adults, and families seeking immediate, specialized support following a diagnosis such as Functional Neurologic Disorder (Conversion Disorder), including Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES), Functional Movement Disorder, chronic pain, POTS, somatic symptom disorder, and related mind–body conditions.
Many individuals and families come to treatment feeling overwhelmed, confused, or discouraged after countless medical appointments with few clear answers. It can be incredibly difficult when symptoms are very real and distressing, yet finding providers who truly understand these complex neurological and mind–body conditions feels nearly impossible. Long waitlists and limited specialized care often leave patients and parents feeling isolated, uncertain, and unsure where to turn next.
Hallie has extensive experience supporting both young adults and pediatric patients through these challenges and provides compassionate guidance, education, and evidence-based treatment recommendations tailored to each individual’s unique needs and symptoms.
Therapy intensives may include:
A comprehensive diagnostic assessment
Personalized psychoeducation about you or your child’s condition
Nervous system and symptom education
A clear plan for symptom management and recovery
Parent, caregiver, and family support
Recommendations for ongoing treatment and care coordination
Unlike traditional weekly therapy, intensives are short-term, focused interventions designed to provide meaningful support, direction, and practical tools in a condensed and impactful format. Following an intensive, patients and families may choose to schedule additional intensives or transition into ongoing individual therapy with Hallie for continued treatment, symptom management, and support.
Get in Touch
Beginning therapy can feel overwhelming. My goal is to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where you feel empowered throughout your therapeutic journey.
I invite you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to explore whether we may be a good fit and to address any questions you may have about the work we can do together.
