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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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...
Healing from birth trauma: how EMDR therapy can help
Read MoreFor many new parents, the birth of a child is expected to be one of life’s most joyful and transformative experiences. But for some, childbirth can be overwhelming, frightening, or even traumatic. When a birth doesn’t go to plan —...
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...
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...
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...
Postpartum Recovery: Our Guide to the Fourth Trimester
Read MoreThe fourth trimester, those tender weeks after birth, is a time of awe, adjustment, and raw vulnerability. At Happy Minds Psychology, we know this season brings a whirlwind of emotions, physical changes, and new responsibilities that can test your mental...
