Hi, I’m Sarah-Jayne Duryea – Founder of Happy Minds Psychology and Principal Psychologist.
I have a strong interest in working in perinatal psychology, as well as trauma and in the treatment of 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.
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!
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.
I draw from several treatment modalities, including Positive Psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), 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.
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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.
Marta is a psychologist. She respects and values diversity, and works collaboratively with people using an intersectional, holistic, strength-based and affirming approach. Marta’s main interests include neurodivergence (particularly Autism, ADHD and AuADHD), attachment, development, parenting support, life transitions, anxiety, depression and trauma. She is an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. She works with adolescents and adults providing psychotherapy as well as, conducting cognitive and diagnostic assessments. She works with individuals as well as with couples, and has experience working with parents and groups.
She uses skills from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Emotional Coaching. Marta loves learning, is continuously engaged in professional development activities and completing further training in therapeutic skills.Marta is a certified yoga instructor and although she is not currently giving yoga classes, she maintains her own regular yoga and meditation practice. In her spare time she loves to spend time with her family, hiking, gardening, playing board games and watching movies.
Academic Qualifications
Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)
Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy (GradCertFamilyTherapy)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychology
Professional Board/Accreditation
AHPRA General Registration
MAPS (Member of the Australian Psychological Society)
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 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 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.
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