New Specialist-Led Menopause Support Service Launches At Women’s Health Hub

A new, pioneering support service for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause has launched at the Women’s Health Hub in Kingsbridge Private Hospital, Belfast.

Led by experienced Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Nutritionist Sarah Lacey, the specialist service offers holistic, personalised support for women facing the often-overwhelming physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms of midlife hormonal change.

Sarah has spent over 22 years supporting women’s wellbeing across Northern Ireland, particularly in the North Coast where she has worked as an NHS therapist and a trusted in-person and online coach. She continues this commitment through her new partnership with a leading gym in Ballymoney, where she delivers accessible, community-based programmes focused on mental health, lifestyle, and fitness support for women navigating hormonal change.

The Women’s Health Hub is already home to gynaecology experts such as Dr Siobhan Kirk and Dr Lisa Neligan. The addition of Sarah’s unique multidisciplinary approach strengthens the Hub’s commitment to comprehensive women’s health by offering tailored lifestyle, mental health, and nutritional support to women at a critical stage of life.

“There is still so much stigma and confusion surrounding menopause,” says Sarah. “Too many women are navigating symptoms without knowing what’s happening to them, or they feel embarrassed to ask for help. This service is about breaking that silence and showing women that not only is support available — it’s accessible, empathetic, and built around their needs.”

Sarah is currently the only practitioner in Northern Ireland trained in menopause-informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Her work integrates therapy, lifestyle coaching, nutrition, sleep support, and mindfulness — offering women an all-in-one source of expert care and guidance.

While Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a vital option for many, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution — nor is it always possible or desired. Sarah’s service complements medical care by addressing the wider challenges women face, including:

• Mood swings, anxiety, or low self-esteem

• Brain fog and loss of confidence

• Sleep disruption or insomnia

• Weight gain and emotional eating

• Identity changes and self-worth

• Relationship difficulties or low libido

• Stress and burnout from work or family pressures

“Many women come to me saying, ‘I just don’t feel like myself anymore,’” Sarah explains. “Sometimes they’re already on HRT, sometimes they’re not. But almost always, there’s a missing piece — whether it’s sleep, nutrition, stress, or a loss of direction or identity. That’s where I can help.”

Each client begins with a one-to-one consultation, including a detailed symptom checklist and wellbeing assessment. Together, Sarah and the client build a tailored plan, which might include nutritional advice, therapeutic strategies, sleep routines, stress-reduction techniques, and mindset work — all shaped by the woman’s specific lifestyle, values, and challenges.

Importantly, clients can choose whether to have one-off sessions or longer-term support.

“There’s no pressure to commit,” Sarah says. “Some women just need clarity, reassurance, or a roadmap to take away and implement in their own time.”

Menopause is still surrounded by misunderstanding. For many, it remains a taboo subject — especially in the workplace or at home. Sarah’s service aims to shift this narrative and give women the confidence to speak openly, seek support, and feel empowered during midlife.

“We’ve all grown up in a culture where menopause was whispered about,” she says. “But now, women in their 40s and 50s are working, raising families, running businesses — and trying to cope with symptoms that can be physically and mentally debilitating. They need more than a leaflet or a one-size-fits-all plan. They need expert, empathetic support that sees them as whole people.”

Sarah’s lived experience of perimenopause also informs her work.

“For a long time, I brushed my own symptoms off as just stress, allergies, or poor sleep. Like many women, I assumed it was something else — until I realised I needed to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. That insight drives my work today.”

She is particularly passionate about mental health support, noting that symptoms like anxiety, low mood, irritability, or feelings of disconnection are often under-recognised — and frequently misdiagnosed.

“Women need to know that these feelings aren’t just in their head — they are part of the very real hormonal shifts happening in their body. But they can be addressed. There is help available.”

Whether a woman is just starting to notice changes or is years into her menopause journey, Sarah’s service can provide fresh insight and ongoing support. From hormone-induced insomnia to emotional overwhelm, the focus is on practical, realistic strategies women can use in daily life.

“In perimenopause especially, symptoms can be intense and unpredictable,” Sarah says. “This is when women often need the most support. But even in post-menopause, many are still struggling — either because HRT hasn’t resolved everything, or because they’ve never been offered a broader toolkit. My aim is to meet each woman exactly where she is.”

Her work also includes helping women navigate difficult conversations at home — particularly when menopause symptoms affect relationships or family life.

“I often help clients prepare to talk to their partner or family about what they’re experiencing. Feeling misunderstood or unsupported at home can be really isolating. So part of my work is equipping women with the language and confidence to ask for the support they need.”

The new service is designed to work in partnership with existing healthcare providers, not in isolation. With patient consent, Sarah can collaborate with GPs, consultants, dietitians, or other specialists to ensure joined-up care and avoid duplication.

“I’m not here to replace anyone’s existing care,” she explains. “I’m here to fill the gaps — to help women implement what they’ve been told, to tackle the emotional barriers, or to look at what’s not being said. Sometimes a woman has all the advice in the world, but still can’t make it stick. That’s where I come in.”

Appointments are available on Wednesday in person at Kingsbridge Belfast or remotely via Zoom or Teams, offering flexibility for women across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Who Can Access the Service?
This specialist support is ideal for women who are:

• Navigating perimenopause or menopause and feeling overwhelmed

• Struggling with sleep, stress, food, confidence, or relationships

• Experiencing mental health challenges linked to hormonal change

• Unsure about HRT or looking for a complementary approach

• Wanting a clear, practical, compassionate roadmap for managing midlife health

“This is about helping women feel seen, validated, and supported,” Sarah says. “Menopause is not the end of anything — it’s the beginning of a new chapter. And I want women to feel excited and empowered about what comes next.”