Counselling in Geelong for anxiety during pregnancy & the period after birth as your family adjusts to the significant changes. Birth trauma, postnatal depression and anxiety.
Helping you manage the emotions that trying to become pregnant can bring. Counselling for infertility, IVF support and miscarriage. Surrogacy Support Counselling & Assessments. Psychologist in Ocean Grove & Geelong.
The symptoms of trauma can occur in response to a severely distressing event or series of events. Trauma can be experienced to varying degrees. Psychologists at Happy Minds Psychology have undergone specialist training to support you through your trauma counselling.
Happy Minds Psychology in Geelong blend positive psychology and attachment-based approaches to help you form a more harmonious relationship with your child and build your confidence as a parent. We work with children to help them flourish and build skills to navigate their world.
The clinicians at Happy Minds Psychology treats sexual health issues using evidence-based psychological frameworks and methodologies. Often sexual issues relate to other experiences in our life, or the way we function psychologically. We look at the whole picture, rather than just the symptoms.
Happy Minds Psychology provides counselling and treatment for eating and dieting disorders, body image issues and problematic exercise that is industry leading and best practice.
Our clinicians at Happy Minds Psychology will work with you to uncover the mechanisms underlying your anxiety and depression and support you to work towards resiliency and mental health.
Trauma related to birth can include both physical injury and emotional trauma from the way they were related to throughout the birth by professionals. Psychological intervention and support can aid women to learn strategies to manage anxiety, and to process their trauma in healthy, productive ways.
Miscarriage and stillbirth support is vitally important. While there’s a good chance our bodies will heal themselves physically with the right care, the emotional effects of pregnancy loss can be harder for both women and men to handle and work through.
Sperm/egg donation and surrogacy in Australia is another way to create a family. Whether for medical or social reasons, sperm/egg donation or surrogacy might be something you need to know more about or are already pursuing. Happy Minds Psychology provides independent Psychological Assessments for Surrogacy in Victoria and across Australia, as well as surrogacy counselling. Face to face or via Telehealth.
Grief has no set pattern. Everyone experiences grief differently. However, taking the time to process your loss will help you begin to create new habits and experiences that work around your loss.
Like any rite of passage, becoming parents together requires a relinquishment of the old relationship, facing up to the fears and uncertainties of the new, and eventually emerging with a new sense of identity. Our clinicians work with you to pave the way for your new family.
Happy Minds Psychology helps you and your family to flourish by creating meaningful and sustainable positive change. The team at Happy Minds Psychology work with individuals, couples and families during the most vulnerable times in their lives, where they might be battling infertility, perinatal depression or anxiety, parenting issues, eating disorders or experiencing trauma.
The team at Happy Minds know that families come in all different shapes and sizes and are comitted to inclusivity in their practice.
As a Geelong psychology clinic with clinics in Geelong and Drysdale, we service the entire Greater Geelong region. Our job is to help individuals focus on the positive aspects of their life and health, using that as leverage to create further significant change.
Happy Minds Psychology uses the latest evidence-based psychology and is built on the foundations of positivity, dignity, and family, within a nurturing and compassionate environment.
Our friendly clinic is based in Geelong. You’re welcome to take advantage of our beautiful location or, if you’re a little further away, simply choose a convenient telehealth session.
We offer Medicare rebates for anyone with a Mental Health Care Plan. These can be obtained via your local GP or medical centre. We can assist you with this if needed.
If you have private health insurance, you may be entitled to a partial rebate. You’ll need to have ‘psychological counselling’ selected as an extra.
Sarah-Jayne Duryea is the Founder & Principal Psychologist at Happy Minds Psychology.
Sarah-Jayne and her team are proud to support the community of Geelong, Ocean Grove, Torquay and its surrounds with psychology and counselling.
We do most of our work with women and their families who are experiencing feelings of anxiety, have experienced loss or trauma, or find their new reality challenging. She is accredited in treating eating disorders and utilizes EMDR for trauma resolution. Sarah-Jayne has a keen interest in perinatal psychology, working with women throughout conception, pregnancy, and parenthood, including those pursuing family dreams through IVF and surrogacy. She also provides dedicated support to emergency personnel and first responders, drawing on her experience with high-pressure careers and trauma work.
I am here to help.
Jessie is a registered psychologist who has a particular interest in supporting families in the perinatal period. She understands each individual experiences this transformative time in life uniquely and aims to meet you where you are at in your experience. Jessie values the importance of the therapeutic relationship. She aims to create a safe space where you can be yourself and get the most out of therapy.
Jessie operates from a person-centred approach working with each client to understand their individual, couple, and family goals. She tailors her therapy approach collaboratively with her clients to assist them toward their goals. Jessie draws from a range of evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as strengths-based approaches.
When she is not at Happy Minds, Jessie enjoys spending time with her family, music, attempting to bake, and time in nature.
Maddy is a Psychologist who trained with the Happy Minds Psychology clinic in Geelong.
Her main areas of interest are working with women and children over 16 who are experiencing difficulty, and working together to further build coping strategies and tools. She has a particular focus on anxiety, depression, perinatal challenges, infertility and eating disorders, offering tailored support to navigate these complex areas.
She studied psychology at Deakin University and Australian Catholic University and is trained in EMDR.
Maddy brings a warm and relaxed approach to the therapeutic relationship, hoping to create a space where you feel understood.
Outside of work, you may find Maddy out at the beach with her partner and two dogs, or participating in one of her various craft hobbies, knitting and cross-stitch.
Gemma is an experienced registered psychologist who enjoys working collaboratively with you to gain a shared understanding of your goals. She focuses on building on your existing strengths and creating a warm and safe environment.
Gemma uses a client-centred integrative framework of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, and mindfulness approaches. She is currently undergoing accreditation in evidence-based EFT tapping.
Gemma works with children (14 years +), adolescents, and adults from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. She is particularly passionate about supporting individuals dealing with anxiety, depression and challenges during the perinatal period. Gemma is committed to helping parents and expecting parents make positive changes and manage the complexities associated with these conditions
Dr. Mel Formica is a registered psychologist who has extensive experience across the lifespan. She holds a PhD from Deakin University, where she researched the prevention of cognitive decline in older adults through exercise and nutrition.
Dr. Formica has a particular interest in antenatal and postnatal issues, including depression and birth trauma, and she is skilled in assisting clients managing medical diagnoses and treatments.
Her extensive work with vulnerable patients in hospital settings has shaped her collaborative and client-centered approach, ensuring that clients feel safe and validated during their evidence-based treatment.
As a new mum, Dr. Formica is especially passionate about supporting others on their fertility and parenting journeys.
Outside of professional life, Dr. Formica can be found enjoying local cafes with her family or engaging in DIY renovation projects at home.
Cara is a Provisional Psychologist completing her final training at Happy Minds Psychology. She is working closely with our Principal Psychologist, Sarah-Jayne, to complete her registration and gain experience in perinatal and family psychology.
Cara enjoys working with children, adolescents, and adults with a wide range of presenting issues. Some of her main areas of interest include anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodiversity, ARFID & other eating disorders, child behavioural challenges, grief, parenting support, perinatal issues and working with athletes.
Cara’s therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, non-judgemental and collaborative. She strives to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and valued, aiming to empower them to achieve their personal goals and improve their overall well-being.
Cara completed her psychology studies and Master’s degree at Deakin University. She employs a client-centred approach, utilising a range of evidence-based interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Outside of work, you may find Cara walking her dog at the beach or enjoying brunch or dinner at new restaurants. She is an avid sports fan and particularly enjoys watching AFL (she is a proud Carlton supporter). When relaxing at home, Cara likes to watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or dive into an episode of Criminal Minds.
Natalie is a Provisional Psychologist currently completing her Internship Program at Happy Minds Psychology. Natalie enjoys working with a diverse range of clients across the lifespan, from children and adolescents to adults. Natalie main areas of interest include anxiety; depression; grief and trauma; neurodiversity and masking behaviours in girls and women; eating disorders; perinatal mental health; and chronic pain, specifically Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain.
Additionally, Natalie is skilled in ADHD coaching and offers specialised support for women and girls with ADHD/ASD, addressing their unique presentations. She also provides LGBTQi affirming therapy, emphasising the importance of inclusive and affirming care.
Natalie emphasises the importance of therapeutic rapport in her practice, placing inclusivity and affirming care at the forefront of her interactions. She strives to be collaborative, client-centred, empathetic, non-judgemental and neuro- and gender-affirming in her practice. Natalie views mental health from a holistic perspective and strives for overall wellness outcomes.
Virginia is a provisional psychologist with a particular interest in perinatal mental health, depression, anxiety, perfectionism, parenting, infertility, and IVF.
She has a background in biomedical science and has completed her psychology studies and Master’s degree at Australian Catholic University. As a mother of three, the ups and downs of the parenting journey deeply resonates with Virginia.
Her goal is to support individuals and families across the lifespan in achieving mental well-being and navigating life’s challenges, including eating disorders such as AFRID. She aims to provide a safe space free of judgement, creating a supportive atmosphere where clients can openly express their thoughts and feelings.
Virginia’s professional experience lies in crisis counselling and she is trained in Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). When working with clients, Virginia employs a client-centred, strengths-based approach to ensure that the therapy is uniquely tailored to their needs and goals. Outside of her therapeutic work, Virginia enjoys running, working on home decorating projects, reading, and walking her two dogs.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a transformative approach to addressing trauma and anxiety. This evidence-based method helps individuals process and reframe distressing memories, enabling them to move forward with greater clarity and emotional resilience. For those in
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect both the mind and body. They can disrupt daily life, relationships, and physical health, making early intervention essential. Open discussions about eating disorders play a crucial role in breaking the stigma,
The New Year often brings a sense of renewal and the motivation to set goals for the months ahead. For many, New Year’s resolutions represent a fresh start and an opportunity for personal growth. However, the pressure to achieve these
When you need support, our qualified psychologists and counsellors in Geelong, Ocean Grove and Torquay can help.
Our team are here to listen and provide positive strategies to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, and move you forward.
