About Alex
My name is Alex Pledger. I’m a psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience, a woman in my 50s, and someone who has been navigating menopause myself for the past four years.
My menopause journey
Like many women, my menopause journey has not been straightforward. I was initially misdiagnosed and treated with antidepressants. When I was eventually prescribed HRT, it took time to find a combination that worked for me as I am progesterone intolerant — something that affects a significant number of women.
Along the way, I did what so many women do. I assumed the problem was me — that if I just tried harder, pushed more, restricted more, or followed the “right” plan, things would improve. Instead, quick-fix strategies and generic advice left me exhausted and unwell.
That was the point at which I stopped searching for answers online and returned to my professional foundations.
My knowledge and training
I went back to my clinical training and committed to learning from reliable, evidence-based sources. I undertook further training in menopause and health coaching, personal training, and lifestyle-based approaches to midlife health.
I learned from clinicians, researchers, and specialists working in this field — so that my clients don’t have to navigate the noise, contradictions, and overwhelm alone.
My work brings together:
- Over two decades of psychotherapeutic experience
- Specialist menopause and health coaching training
- Knowledge of movement, behaviour change, and lifestyle support
- Lived experience of the emotional and physical realities of menopause
This combination allows me to work in a way that is both compassionate and practical, reflective and forward-focused.
Why work with me?
I am passionate about working with midlife women. We are going through an amazing process of natural, physiological change and it prompts us to ask “what else do I need to change? What can I do to live better now and as I grow older?”
My aim is not to “fix” women, but to help them understand themselves differently during midlife transition. Together, we focus on wellbeing, resilience, and healthy ageing, supporting you to grow steadily, reconnect with your strengths, and move toward the next chapter of your life with clarity and confidence.