About Happy Minds Psychology, GeelonG

Helping families find relief & long-term strategies for their MENTAL HEALTH.

Sarah-Jayne Duryea

Founder & principal Psychologist at happy minds psychology

Hi, I’m Sarah-Jayne Duryea – Founder of Happy Minds Psychology and Principal Psychologist.

I have a strong interest in working in perinatal psychology, with trauma and with eating disorders. I also have a background of working with high achievers and performers of any kind including actors, artists and singers, and enjoy the supervision of other practitoners in any area of my expertise.

In my clinical practice, I work with women who are trying to conceive, are pregnant or are already parents.

I am experienced working with women and couples committed to pursuing their dream of having a family, whether via IVF, surrogacy, sperm or egg donation, or adoption.

In addition to this, I am an accredited eating disorder practitoner with ANZAED and am passionate about working with all types of eating disorder presentation and body image issues. I am also trained in the use of EMDR for trauma resolution.

I am passionate about helping parents manage parenting trials and create secure attachments to their young children.

I am also a Board Approved Supervisor passionate about supporting provisional psychologists to achieve registration.

My Story

I do most of my work with women who are experiencing feelings of anxiety, have experienced loss or trauma, or find their new reality challenging.

I work with women who have a voice inside their head that criticises and judges them. If you are looking for someone who will work with you to put this inner critic back in its box, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re someone who feels as though your mind is hectic, I work with you!

Are you worried about your pregnancy?
Are you consumed with thoughts about your performance as a mum?
Have you lost a previous pregnancy?
Do you struggle with a mind that criticises you, or you feel as though you can’t relax?
Do you struggle with issues surrounding sex and intimacy?

I am here to help you.

If you’re someone who is pursuing IVF – I work with you.

If you are someone who has been told they need to find a surrogate to be able to be a family – I work with you!

If you’re a same-sex couple who are creating your family through surrogacy in Australia or overseas – I am a passionate advocate for you.

My approach

At Happy Minds Psychology my therapeutic style is warm and relaxed, and I create a space where you can feel understood, accepted and empowered.

I draw from several treatment modalities, including Positive Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, EMDR and Schema Therapy (I’ll explain this psych speak during our sessions!).

I aim to act as your cheerleader, the person who will support you to play the cards that life has dealt you with wisdom and grace. To tackle together the challenges life has thrown at you, adding some essential strategies to your toolbox of coping skills, helping you be more present and do what matters.

I am a cis woman and my pronouns are she/her.

Outside of work, you will usually find me with my head stuck in a book and a cup of tea in my hand or spending time with my family outside of work.

Ready to make an appointment? Simply contact us.

Have some questions about seeing a Psychologist? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

To read our Blog, click here.

Sarah-Jayne Duryea's Credentials...

Licenses

Registered Psychologist with AHPRA PSY0001243973
Medicare Provider Number 416304PA
Australian Psychological Society Associate Member
British Psychological Society Member
Fertility Society of Australia Member
Australia and New Zealand Counsellors Association Member (ANZICA)
Pregnancy Support Counselling Approved by Medicare
Worksafe Approved Provider (no. 406304MB)
Member of University of Sydney Coaching Alumni
Member Pregnancy Loss & Infant Death Alliance (PLIDA)
Member International Marce Society for Perinatal Mental Health
Member Australian Association for Infant Mental Health (AAIMH)
Member World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH)
AHPRA Board Approved Supervisor
Associate Member of EMDRAA (EMDR Association Australia) https://emdraa.org/
Member – American Society for Reproductive Medicine https://www.asrm.org/
Member – European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology https://www.eshre.eu/

Education

Masters Degree in Coaching & Positive Psychology (University of Sydney)
Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology (University of Portsmouth)
Bachelors Degree (Honors) in Psychology (University of Bedfordshire)
Perinatal Grief & Loss Training – Perinatal Training Centre
Perinatal & Infant Mental Health Intensive – Perinatal Training Centre
Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy
COPE skills in Perinatal Health Training
COPE Perinatal Loss In Practice
ACT with Grief & Loss, Dr Russ Harris
APS Non-Directive Counselling Training
Practice of Sex Therapy Training
Heath At Every Size Practioner
Bullying in Schools Training, Macquarie University
ACT with Youth Training
Adolescent Suicide with Dr Michael Gordon
Child & Adolescent Anxiety, Macquarie University
Shadow Coaching, Donna Karlin
Child abuse & Neglect, Prof. David Howe
ACT Advanced, Dr Russ Harris
Coaching for Complexity of Mind with Jennifer Garvey Berger
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Introduction, Dr Russ Harris
The Practice of Sex Therapy – Dr Sandra Pertot
CBT Fundamentals: Australian Psychological Society
Brain Based Psychotherapy with Dr John Arden
Drug & Alcohol testing training – Work Options
Drug & Alcohol Management Plan training – Work Options
CBT for Pain Management – University of Sydney
Schema Therapy Intro & Advanced – Schema Therapy Institute
EMDR Training with Graham Taylor
PTSD & Complex Trauma Training with Leah Giarratano

Teaching

Guest Lecturer (University of New South Wales & Macquarie University)
Tutor (University of New South Wales & Macquarie University)
Trainer (Diploma in Mental Health Work & Youth Services) Victoria
Trainer (Home Office, UK)

Maddy Keegan, Provisional Psychologist

Maddy is a Provisional Psychologist who will be finishing her period of supervised practice with the Happy Minds Psychology clinic.

Her main areas of interest are working with women and children of all ages who are experiencing hardships, and working together to further build coping strategies and tools. She is also experienced in working with children in a school setting and conducting cognitive assessments.

She studied psychology at Deakin University and Australian Catholic University and is looking forward to beginning the practical path of becoming a registered psychologist, specialising in perinatal psychology.

Maddy brings a warm and relaxed approach to the therapeutic relationship, hoping to create a space where you feel understood. She is working closely with our Principal Psychologist Sarah-Jayne to complete her registration and gain experience in perinatal psychology.

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.

Jaclyn Potts, Psychologist

Jaclyn is a Psychologist, fully registered with AHPRA and a board approved supervisor with over a decade of experience. Her passion and purpose is working with clients wherever they are on their fertility, perinatal or parenting journey. She is skilled in the use of CBT, ACT and DBT and is an EMDR practitioner. Clients describe Jaclyn’s style as positive, ‘cocooning’ and warm.

Jaclyn has lived experience in the infertility and perinatal space and aspires to support you while you seek a place to be vulnerable and held while you process your experiences and discuss your inner thoughts. You may have experienced trauma, be navigating infertility experiences, be a new parent, undergoing stressful life changes and adjustments or looking at learning new coping skills. Jaclyn has a strong relational focus and is here to be your biggest fan and ally through these experiences.

Outside of work, Jaclyn enjoys a strong cup of coffee, thrill seeking through bungy jumping and skydiving and relaxes when she is adventuring in her caravan with her partner and young son.

DR MEL FORMICA, PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Dr Mel Formica is a provisional psychologist who will be finishing her period of supervised practice with the Happy Minds Psychology clinic.

Mel studied at Deakin University and completed her PhD investigating the prevention of cognitive decline in older adults through the use of exercise and nutrition. Mel has experience working with a broad range of presenting issues across the lifespan and is particularly interested in antenatal and postnatal issues including depression and birth trauma, as well as assisting clients to manage medical diagnoses and treatment.

Mel has extensive experience working with vulnerable patients in a hospital setting and as such, values a collaborative and client-centred approach to ensure that her clients feel safe and validated through the course of appropriate, evidence-based treatment. Being a new mum, Mel is keen to assist others through their fertility and parenting journeys.

Outside of work, you will find Mel at local cafes with her family, or at home completing DIY renovation projects.

Chandler O'Donnell, Practice Manager

Chandler is our Admin Queen! She keeps the wheels turning at our Geelong psychology practice and makes sure that we can all focus on our passion as clinicians.

Outside of work, Chandler is a mum to a 2 year old boy. She enjoys spending her weekends with him and her partner, on the beach or adventuring somewhere outdoors.