About Sal | Counsellor & Menopause Coach
Who Am I?
I'm Sal, a northern wildflower with a big heart.
I've been a counsellor and coach for over 20 years, a clinical supervisor for more than 10, and after navigating my own turbulent journey through perimenopause, I recently qualified as a Menopause Coach too.
Over the years I've worn many hats. I've been a youth worker, art worker, drama facilitator and teacher. I've worked in schools, residential homes, health and care services, community settings and online. I've supported young people, young offenders, parents, families and women from all walks of life.
I've also spent plenty of time outside the professional world trying to figure life out for myself. I've been a student, unemployed, worked in bars, cleaned houses, childminded and even been a dinner lady.
I'm a mother, daughter, sister, auntie and wife, and like most people I've had to navigate the joys and challenges that come with those relationships. I've lived on three continents and in more than thirty different homes, although moving around wasn't always by choice.
At different times my life has been chaotic, unsettled, dysfunctional, adventurous, boring, joyful, heartbreaking, extraordinary and completely ordinary.
None of that makes me an expert in living life or getting it right. But it does mean I'm no stranger to change, uncertainty, loss, growth and starting over. Perhaps that's why I've found my way to this work.
I've worked hard to make peace with being a bit of a wild mess sometimes, same as everyone else. And that's exactly where I'll meet you from — honestly, with no airs, and absolutely no judgement. I'm not interested in pretending I've got it all figured out. I haven't. None of us have, we’re all just doing our best including me😊
Be more you came from a moment of clarity after I’d hit a wall and completely lost touch with myself. I wanted to change my whole life, reinvent myself, be more like those confident outrageous, hilarious women I saw in films. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d danced wildly, belly laughed or done something ridiculously silly. The task to become someone new seemed impossible and overwhelming… I mean why wouldn’t it right! I just ended up feeling worse and even further away from myself. I took some time, and support to reflect on what had changed and, in that process, remembered that I used to be funny, outgoing, and really quite fucking fabulous. I didn’t need to be someone else, I needed to be more me again. And so I began to find myself, rebuild, retrieve bits of me I’d lost along the way.
Testimonials
“Before starting the plan, I was feeling quite overwhelmed and a bit stuck.”
I knew I needed to make some changes, but I didn't feel fully in control of what was going on with my body or how to manage it. That's what made me decide to join the programme when I did — I wanted guidance, structure, and reassurance that I could actually do something to feel better.
As I went through the programme, things started to shift for me. The plan was really easy to follow, which made such a difference, and it helped me realise that I actually had more control than I thought. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I began putting small, manageable things in place, and those small changes really added up.
What surprised me the most was how much my mindset changed. I didn't just follow a plan — I started to feel more confident in myself and my ability to handle things. That feeling of being “stuck” gradually lifted, and I felt more capable and in control.
I would absolutely recommend this programme to anyone going through menopause who feels overwhelmed, unsure, or stuck. It's especially helpful if you want something simple, supportive, and realistic that you can actually stick to.
Sal, you were amazing throughout — so supportive and understanding — and that made a huge difference to my experience. I genuinely feel more confident now and more equipped to manage things going forward.
— R
“I heard about — and signed up to — the Menopause Plan on the same day I went to the GP to ask about HRT.”
I had reached a point where I was struggling, emotionally and physically, and knew I had to make some changes. I think starting HRT and the Menopause Plan at the same time really amplified the benefit of both for me — HRT replacing the hormones I was missing, and the Menopause Plan giving me the space to reflect and the direction I needed to make changes that have benefited not just me, but my family as well.
I have regained confidence in many aspects of my life, I've rediscovered joy in the small things, and I focus more on the things that make me, and my family, happy and healthy.
Sal has been a fantastic coach — I could not have asked for anyone better to take me through the plan. She is kind, understanding, empathetic, and an all-round lovely person. She gave me space to talk, and challenged me when I needed it, helping me understand myself better in a really gentle and genuine way. Every week she'd highlight positives that I often couldn't see myself, and help me build on them. I feel very lucky to have had her support.
I didn't really know what to expect from the Plan — because menopause affects every part of life, it's not a separate issue to be solved — but that's what was great about it: every week we talked about real, everyday life, but through a menopause lens. It's been a fantastic experience for me, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who needs help navigating the changes menopause can bring.
— PL