Becoming a dad is one of the most profound transitions a man can undertake. For two dads welcoming a child through surrogacy and egg donation, the journey often begins long before the birth — through years of emotional preparation, medical...
Happy Minds blog
Why it’s important for new dads to fail
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What healthy closure looks like: maintaining connection without over-attachment after surrogacy
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology Surrogacy is often described as a journey — one that begins with hope, deepens through trust, and ends with transformation. But the ending can be emotionally complex. Once the baby is...
Two dads, one family: surrogacy, fatherhood, and the truth about what children really need
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist, Happy Minds Psychology When you picture a family, what do you see? For many, the old image of a mother, father, and children still comes to mind. But families today come in countless forms —...
Trauma bonding in surrogacy: when connection becomes complicated
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology Geelong Surrogacy is one of the most extraordinary human experiences — a journey of trust, courage, and compassion shared between people who come together to create life. Yet because it involves...
The postpartum journey for surrogates: what to expect and how to support it
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology The end of a surrogate pregnancy marks both an arrival and a departure — the arrival of a new life and the beginning of a profound change for you, the surrogate....
Claiming Connection: Understanding Newborn Attachment After Surrogacy
Read MoreWelcoming a baby into the world is one of life’s most profound experiences. For intended parents who have built their family through surrogacy, this moment can be filled with immense joy—alongside complex emotions, uncertainty, and adjustment. While surrogacy provides a...
Supporting Your Surrogate: A Guide for Intended Parents to Honour Autonomy, Care, and Connection
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist – Happy Minds Psychology, Geelong For many intended parents, the journey to parenthood through surrogacy in Australia is filled with gratitude, anticipation, and deep emotion. It’s also a journey made possible by one remarkable person...
Healing After Surrogacy: Reclaiming Identity and Emotional Balance Post-Birth
Read MoreThe weeks and months following a surrogacy birth are often described as bittersweet. There is joy, gratitude, and relief — but also hormonal shifts, fatigue, and emotional recalibration. For surrogates, this can be a moment of pride mixed with unexpected...
Surrogacy Relationships Over Time: How to Sustain Respectful Connection as the Child Grows
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology Surrogacy doesn’t end when the baby is born — it simply changes shape. The months after birth are often filled with gratitude, relief, and adjustment. But what happens in the years...
