The ProActive Psychology Weekly

Your child holds it together at school…Then falls apart the moment they walk through the door. You’re told they’re “doing fine.”But you see something very different. The shutdowns.The meltdowns.Panic about the smallest changes. And the worst part?Their autism assessment report doesn’t mention any of it. 👉 Here’s a better way to get answers that actually help Most autism assessments are built for quiet rooms and checklists.But real life isn’t a checklist.And your child isn’t a textbook. That’s...

Most people notice when something’s off with a friend, colleague, or student… but say nothing. Not because they don’t care.But because they don’t know what comes after the question. The silence is costly: Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15–44. Men over 85 have the highest suicide rate of any group. Every day, 9 Australians die by suicide — and 65,000 attempt each year. The good news? A single caring conversation can interrupt that spiral. → You don’t need the...

You drag yourself out of bed already tired.You go through the day running on fumes.And even when you finally get a “quiet” day, you end up collapsing into bed… still exhausted. 👉 The question is: why does rest never feel like rest? The truth is, your body isn’t switching off. Stress, guilt, and mental load keep running like a motor in the background.It’s invisible — but it wears you down as much as any long day. In our latest article, you’ll discover: The hidden wear-and-tear stress puts on...

Trying to get NDIS support — for you or your child — but not sure where to start? The process is confusing.The forms don’t explain much.And delays can feel endless. But if you or your child is living with a lifelong disability —The NDIS may fund therapy and support that can make daily life easier. 👉 This guide shows exactly what to do — step by step. It breaks down what most people miss: Which lifelong conditions the NDIS actually funds What kind of reports make a difference — and how to get...

You’re told to be consistent. Calm. Routine-based. But what happens when your child needs routine and resists it? They melt down over the wrong shirt, but can’t sit still long enough to finish breakfast. They demand structure… then reject it. You’ve tried charts. Scripts. Sensory tools. And still, it’s chaos. Here’s what most people (even professionals) miss: When ADHD and autism show up together in the same child, the usual tools stop working. And without that key insight? Parents are left...

If you’ve been through something hard, and now feel foggy, anxious, or on edge… That’s not random.It’s your brain doing what it thinks it has to do to protect you. 👉 Here’s how trauma actually rewires your brain — and how to calm it Trauma doesn’t just affect your emotions.It physically changes your brain. Your internal “alarm” gets stuck on.Your memory gets scrambled.And the part that helps you think clearly or stay calm? It slows down. This can show up as snapping, zoning out, avoiding...

If you’ve been caught in a cycle of confusion or self-blame, read this. Whether you're worried about your child’s behaviour or feeling like something's not adding up in your own mental health — there’s one thing that often gets overlooked: A proper psychological assessment. Not a label. Not a hoop to jump through. But a structured, practical way to finally understand what’s driving the challenges — and what will actually help. 👉 Here’s what that process really looks like (and why it changes...

This is Part 2 of our most-read articles from the past year — focused on emotional load, recovery, and how to support yourself and the people you care about. 👇 This week’s theme: Emotions, Trauma + Neurodivergence 🧠 You Can’t Talk Your Way Out of Trauma If you’ve done the thinking but your body still feels on edge — this article explains why, and what helps instead.Read it here → 📩 When Talking About Feelings Isn’t Helping Endless emotional chats don’t always build resilience. This shows you...

Over the past year, we’ve spoken with many people who feel stretched thin — emotionally, mentally, and digitally. This week, we’re sharing Part 1 of our “most-read” series: simple, powerful articles that struck a chord with people juggling work, family, and wellbeing. 👇 This week’s theme: Stress, Screens + the Mental Load 📩 How to Beat Email Anxiety (Without Burning Out) Sarah’s story will sound familiar — inbox stress, late nights, and too much mental clutter. She changed her approach. You...

Everything feels harder than it should. Mornings are chaos. Homework ends in tears. You’re doing your best… but something still feels off. And quietly, in the back of your mind, you’re wondering: “Why is everything such a battle?” “Is it me… or is something going on here?” 👉 These 10 ADHD signs might explain more than you think ADHD doesn’t always look like bouncing off the walls. Sometimes, it’s a child who zones out during simple tasks. Or gets hyper-focused on Minecraft but forgets to eat....