FearLess - PTSD Australia New Zealand

18/02/2026

This recent Psychology Today article explores what can happen when trauma therapy progresses too quickly, and why pacing matters in recovery. Healing is not about rushing toward outcomes. It’s about safety, regulation, and building capacity over time.

For people living with the impacts of trauma, the body often needs time to catch up with the work happening in the mind. A steady, trauma-informed approach can make the difference between overwhelm and sustainable progress.

It’s an important reminder for clinicians, carers, and communities alike.

Read the full article here:

For some people, receiving therapy more frequently over a shorter period can lead to faster relief, better engagement, and sustained improvement without losing quality of care.

17/02/2026

Here at FearLess, we are working toward a future where people living with PTSD — and the families who support them — can regain control of their daily lives.

Our vision is to create a connected network of outreach and support services that centres lived experience and drives long term change.

You can be part of this. 📢

Start a conversation. Share our message. And if you are in a position to, consider donating to help us continue this work.

Together, we can challenge stigma, build community and support real recovery.

💙 Donate here: fearless.org.au

16/02/2026

Guided imagery is a simple technique that uses imagination to help the mind and body settle.

By mentally placing yourself in a calm and familiar setting, the brain can shift out of stress mode and into a state of relaxation. Studies suggest this practice may reduce stress and support attention and emotional regulation.

You can follow a guided recording like this one, or practise on your own by visualising a peaceful place and engaging all your senses for a few minutes.

It is a gentle way to support your wellbeing, especially when things feel overwhelming.

Enjoy 8 Minute 'Your Healing Body' Guided Imagery with Dr Martin Rossman from The Healing Mind. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique by visualizing a sce...

15/02/2026

Living with post traumatic stress can make opening up to others feel hard. You might struggle to trust people, or feel unable to talk about what has happened.

You do not need to explain the trauma to be able to share how you are feeling right now. Talking about the present moment is enough.

Reaching out to a trusted friend or family member can help. Speaking with a GP or a trained listener through a helpline like Lifeline can also provide support when things feel overwhelming.

You do not have to carry this on your own.

14/02/2026

Stigma does not only live in society. It can also appear in clinical spaces.

SANE has shared an important piece on how stigma from mental health professionals can affect people living with mental health challenges. Addressing this openly is essential if we want people to feel safe seeking support.

Read the full article here:
https://f.mtr.cool/oytczhufqp

It seems like an impossible topic. Psychiatrists spend their entire careers supporting people living with mental illness. Is it possible that they stigmatise consumers? Of course, as human beings they can reflect societal bias.Perhaps the bias of psy

13/02/2026

Post traumatic stress is not a failure to cope. It is the brain’s adaptive response to overwhelming threat.

Recovery takes time because the brain must relearn safety and regulation. This process cannot be rushed and it often requires support from others.

Being patient with yourself is not optional in healing. It is essential.

12/02/2026

Self forgiveness is an important part of healing from post traumatic stress, yet it is often overlooked.

We hear a lot about forgiving others, but learning how to forgive ourselves is just as important. Guilt, shame and self blame can linger long after trauma, and self forgiveness plays a key role in wellbeing and recovery.

If you are struggling with this, you do not have to carry it alone. Speaking with a therapist or a trusted person about what is weighing you down can be a powerful first step.

11/02/2026

It is common for people living with post traumatic stress to withdraw from friends and family. While it is important to respect boundaries, your presence and support can help ease feelings of helplessness, grief and isolation.

Face to face connection matters. Trauma experts consistently highlight human connection as one of the most important factors in recovery.

Supporting someone with post traumatic stress is not about fixing them. It is about showing up, spending time together, and creating a sense of safety.

Here are a few ways to offer support:

🧡 Avoid pressuring them to talk
🧡 Do everyday activities together that feel normal
🧡 Let them take the lead
🧡 Look after your own stress and wellbeing
🧡 Be patient and gentle
🧡 Learn about post traumatic stress
🧡 Expect mixed emotions along the way

Your steady presence can make a real difference.

10/02/2026

Avoidance is a very common response for people living with post traumatic stress. It can show up in many ways, such as steering clear of certain people, places, conversations, sensations, emotions, or even smells that feel linked to past experiences.

For some people, even feeling relaxed can feel unsafe. Slowing down may allow memories or sensations to surface, which is why relaxation strategies can sometimes intensify distress rather than ease it. Others cope by staying constantly busy through work, gaming, eating, sleeping, or other activities so there is little mental space for difficult memories to intrude.

While avoidance can feel protective in the short term, over time it can keep the nervous system stuck in survival mode. When memories are continually avoided, the brain does not get the chance to learn that the threat has passed. The memory remains frozen at its most intense point, rather than being processed and integrated as something that belongs in the past.

Understanding avoidance is not about judgement. It is about recognising how the brain tries to protect us, and how gentle, supported steps can help create new pathways toward safety and healing.

09/02/2026

You might have heard people talking about the connection between our gut and our brain. Research over the past decade shows they’re closely linked, constantly communicating with each other. What’s happening in your digestive system can influence mood, stress levels, immune function, pain sensitivity, and even how clearly you think.

This is often called the gut brain axis. Simply put, when your gut is supported, your emotional wellbeing can benefit too.

One gentle way to care for gut health is through food variety. Fibre rich plants, fermented foods, and mixing things up can all help support a healthy microbiome. The key is to avoid getting stuck in food rules or “shoulds”. Instead, aim for curiosity and enjoyment. Trying new foods can support your gut and give you a mood lift at the same time.

Small, flexible choices can support both body and mind.

08/02/2026

Before bed tonight, take a moment to think of one thing you’re grateful for. It doesn’t need to be profound. It could be a good meal, a message from a friend, or simply the comfort of your pillow.

If it helps, write it down in a notebook by your bed. This small habit can gently shift your focus, calm your mind, and set the tone for a more restful night.

Sometimes it’s the simplest practices that support us the most.

07/02/2026

Most of us reach for our phones without even thinking. To check the time. To see notifications. To fill a quiet moment.

That habit can actually become a powerful mindfulness cue.

Next time you pick up your phone, try this. Pause and take one slow breath before you unlock it. Notice the inhale. Notice the exhale. Then continue.

It might seem small, but think about how often you reach for your phone each day. Those brief pauses add up. Over time, your phone stops being something that constantly pulls you out of the moment and starts becoming a reminder to come back to it.

Small moments of awareness can make a real difference.