By 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...
Happy Minds blog
What healthy closure looks like: maintaining connection without over-attachment after surrogacy
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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 —...
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...
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...
Being a Surrogate with Neurodiversity: Embracing Difference in the Journey
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology Surrogacy is a profound act of generosity, connection, and trust. It asks one person to carry another’s hopes, to share her body and emotions, and to navigate a unique web...
Supporting LGBTQI+ Mental Health: Affirmative Therapy in Geelong
Read MoreNavigating life can bring unique joys and challenges, from embracing your identity to facing societal pressures that test mental health. At Happy Minds Psychology, our psychologists understand how these experiences shape your wellbeing, whether it’s exploring gender, coming out or...
Why LGBTQI+ Affirmative Therapy Is Essential: A Geelong Psychologist’s Perspective
Read MoreLGBTQI+ affirmative therapy is a specialised approach designed to support individuals within the LGBTQI+ community. It recognises and validates the unique experiences of LGBTQI+ people, creating a safe space where clients can explore their identities without fear of judgment. Unlike...
