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...
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 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...
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 —...
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....
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...
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...
Preparing for Parenthood: A Guide to Perinatal Mental Health
Read MoreThe journey to parenthood is an extraordinary time filled with a range of emotions, from excitement and joy to apprehension and anxiety. Perinatal mental health, which encompasses the emotional wellbeing of parents both during pregnancy and after childbirth, plays a...
