Colleen - Trauma & Narcissistic Abuse Therapy

28/01/2026

For many people, saying no doesn’t feel simple.

It can feel unsafe, selfish, or like it needs to be justified.

But boundaries aren’t explanations.
They’re acts of self-respect.

Your no is allowed.
Your no is enough.

25/01/2026

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what truly matters ~ and this feels like a reconnection with it.

A return to what’s always mattered.
Creating from a deeply holistic place.
And showing up in ways that feel authentic and true.

If you’re on your own journey back to yourself, this is your reminder that it’s safe to pause ~ and begin again.

💛

21/01/2026

Have you ever found yourself saying yes when you really wanted to say no?

I often share resources with clients that I’ve found helpful myself, and this book is certainly one of those.

Fawning by Dr Ingrid Clayton gently explores fawning - a trauma response that’s often misunderstood or mislabelled, and for many people, never named at all.

Fawning can look like becoming more of what’s acceptable… or less of who we really are.
It can be visible or quiet. Obvious or hidden.
But at its core, it’s about finding safety in an unsafe world, often at our own expense.

I’ve recommended this book to many clients, and it’s one of the few resources people have reached out about between sessions to share how deeply seen they felt by it.

Sharing this here, in case it offers language, understanding, or a little less shame - for you, or someone you care about. 🩷🙏

19/01/2026

Box breathing uses equal inhale, pause, exhale, and pause.
That structure can feel grounding when your system is activated or stuck in high alert.

You don’t need to do it perfectly.
If four feels like too much, shorten the count and go gently.

18/01/2026

A conscious start to the week.

Before diving into the to-do lists and routines, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself what truly matters, how you want to feel, and what you need more of.

You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to begin with awareness. 🌿

What conscious intention are you setting for yourself this week?

15/01/2026

Sometimes healing includes relearning that you have rights ~

especially when they were once taken away.

🤍

13/01/2026

I’m always aware that the real work is done by the client.

I simply get the privilege of walking beside them for part of their journey.

🙏🤍

05/01/2026

One of the hardest parts of narcissistic relationships is that what’s happening doesn’t become clear straight away.

It unfolds slowly. In my latest blog, I explore some of the phases you may find yourself moving through.

https://colleenbrown.com.au/slow-unravelling-narcissistic-relationships/

24/12/2025

I want to acknowledge those who are missing someone this Christmas.

Whether it’s your first year, or many years on, grief doesn’t disappear just because time has passed.

Often, as the years go by, people stop checking in. Not because they don’t care, but because 'life goes on' and we don’t speak about it as much anymore.

But the grief is still there.

I know this in our household. It comes in waves. Sometimes big ones. I let it come. I cry. And I also let myself feel joy - because both can be true.

So I just wanted to take a moment to let you know that someone is thinking of you this Christmas. 🎄🤍🙏

22/12/2025

There’s a quote I often use with clients:
The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Sometimes keeping the main thing the main thing means putting some things down for a while.
Not because you’ve failed.
Not because you’re giving up.
But because something needs your attention.

Sometimes, that something is you.
~ Your healing.
~ Your growth.
~ Your grief.
~ Your loss.
~ Your life.

If the main thing right now is you, that matters.
You are doing enough.

🤍

17/12/2025

Lately, I’ve been receiving more private messages and emails where people are sharing deep distress, including thoughts of self-harm.

I want to say this with care: I genuinely care about people who are struggling. I also need to be honest about my capacity.

I don’t know you, and we’re not in a therapeutic relationship. I run a solo practice, and I can’t safely hold or respond to messages like this outside of a therapeutic setting in the way you deserve.

If you’re feeling unsafe or overwhelmed right now, please reach out for immediate support:

• Lifeline - 13 11 14 (24/7)
• 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 (24/7)
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
• Or call 000 if you are in immediate danger

You deserve real time care and support ~ not something held over social media or private messages.

And for those engaging with my work here, please remember there is a real human on the other side of the screen. Boundaries are not a lack of care; they’re what allow care to exist sustainably.

Thank you for understanding, and please take care.

Colleen

🤍🙏

11/12/2025

If you haven't had the chance to see Songs Inside yet, it will be on ABC on Monday 22nd December. It is a fantastic and powerful documentary about trauma, incarceration and the power of music

Watch the trailer ‘Songs Inside’ is a compelling feature-length documentary that chronicles the transformative journey of a small group of women from the Adelaide Women’s Prison who, over six months, discovered the healing power of music. As the creative process unfolds, it unearths profound s...