Having a baby is often described as one of life’s most joyful experiences — and it can be. But what many people don’t talk about is how intense, emotional, and overwhelming the post-birth period can feel. The dramatic hormonal shifts...
Happy Minds blog
Hormonal changes after birth: why new parents benefit from seeing a psychologist
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Managing ADHD during the postpartum period: why symptoms can spike and what helps
Read MoreThe postpartum period is one of the most cognitively and emotionally demanding phases of life. For individuals with ADHD, this transition can be particularly challenging—even if symptoms felt well-managed prior to pregnancy. Sleep deprivation, hormonal shifts, increased mental load, and...
Eating disorders in pregnancy and postpartum: why they can re-emerge and when to seek support
Read MorePregnancy, birth, and early postpartum are often described as joyful and connecting—but for many women, the perinatal period can also be psychologically complex and deeply vulnerable, particularly for those with a history of eating disorders. Even when an eating disorder...
The intended mother experience in surrogacy: psychologically pregnant, often misunderstood
Read MoreIf you’re an intended mother, you can end up living in two realities at once: your life looks “not pregnant” on the outside, but internally you’re doing the tender, relentless work of becoming a parent. We think about the Intended...
Balanced counselling in surrogacy: why “us vs them” hurts everyone (and what helps instead)
Read MoreSurrogacy is built on relationships. It’s a collaborative, deeply human process that can be profoundly meaningful for intended parents, surrogates, and (in time) the child. Yet it also carries emotional complexity, high stakes, and pressure. That’s exactly why balanced psychological...
Coping with grief after stillbirth: finding support and healing in Geelong
Read MoreLosing a baby through stillbirth is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. It brings profound grief, disbelief, and emotional pain that can feel impossible to put into words. The joy of anticipation suddenly turns into shock...
Coping with miscarriage: finding support and healing with a Geelong psychologist
Read MoreExperiencing a miscarriage is one of the most profound and heartbreaking forms of loss. Whether it occurs early in pregnancy or later, miscarriage can bring a wave of emotional, physical, and psychological pain that often feels invisible to the outside...
Preparing for a second birth after a traumatic first experience: how EMDR therapy can help
Read MoreFor many parents, the thought of a second birth brings a mix of hope and apprehension. While they may long for a healing or redemptive experience, those who have previously endured a difficult or traumatic first birth often feel heightened...
Recognising and managing entitlement in surrogacy: a psychological perspective for intended parents
Read MoreBy Sarah-Jayne Duryea, Principal Psychologist | Happy Minds Psychology Surrogacy is, at its core, an act of profound generosity. It is built on trust, autonomy, and shared intention — not transaction. But in clinical work with surrogacy teams, I’ve noticed...
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...
