Martin Rigby Counselling

21/08/2026

Welsh rugby prop Donna Rose recently shared her journey with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). She describes it as an exhausting daily battle, yet refuses to be defined by suffering.
BPD often brings intense empathy, passion and resilience – traits that can feel like a superpower when properly supported. Have you found strength in your own mental health journey.

Wales' Donna Rose tells BBC Sport how rugby union has helped her manage Borderline Personality Disorder.

21/08/2026

I am so pleased to announce that I am now an approved BUPA therapist. Making therapy accessible is very important to me. If you have BUPA health insurance, you can now claim the cost of our sessions through your policy. Please check your policy details and get a pre-authorisation code from BUPA before we start. I offer a safe, confidential space for both online and in-person sessions. Please send me a direct message or visit my website to learn more about starting therapy services

Would you like some counselling support for your anxiety or depression? Preston, Wigan, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Hindley, Leigh Specialist in disability counselling support. Counselling for Disabilities.

15/08/2026

Do you and your partner kiss as much as you used to? A recent article highlights a common trend: Many couples slowly stop kissing over time. Life gets busy, stress takes over, and a quick peck replaces a real connection.

As a relationship counsellor, I see how a simple daily kiss helps couples feel close and safe. It is a tiny habit with a huge impact on emotional health.

Here are a few quick tips to bring back the kiss:

Start small: Give a hello and goodbye kiss every single day.
Be present: Make it last for more than just one second.
Talk about it: Ask your partner how they feel about your daily physical connection.

How does physical affection change in a long-term relationship? Does a simple kiss still matter to you?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Call it a crisis, call it a decline, call it a recession: the long, l***y snog is in trouble, harder to experience in real life or even watch on screen. But why? And what’s it like to think you may never lock lips with another?

15/08/2026

I was very shocked and saddened by the news of Jason Arday, the former Cambridge university professor, being found dead at his home. With this having occurred so recently, I feel it is not right to speculate, as there has already been so much intense online speculation over the last few weeks.

My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his friends, his family, and anyone who knew him. Whatever happened-and I know professional standards and ethics are serious matters-I do not believe anyone deserves the level of public scrutiny and online witch hunt he was subjected to.

When stories like this break, how quickly do we jump to conclusions or rush to condemn someone we do not truly know? Do we see only a headline, or do we remember that we are all human beings who make mistakes, and who desperately need support, understanding, and compassion when life gets hard.

As more comes to light in the coming days, I hope we as a society ask serious questions about media saturation, online hounding, and how institutions care for the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

Reflecting on this awful outcome, I am certain of one thing: we need more people like Jason Arday at the highest levels in our institutions to bring different perspectives, model diversity, and show that it is possible for people from minority backgrounds to succeed and know that they belong.

If this post brings up difficult feelings for you, please remember support is available. You can reach out to the Samaritans by calling 116 123 at any time

Dr Arday resigned last week and said "relentless accusations, speculation and public commentary" had taken a "profound toll on me and on those I love".

12/08/2026

New finds affects the body’s brain as well as the mind

For decades, depression has been tied to the thinking brain and the networks that govern mood and memory. A major new study significantly complicates that story.

07/08/2026

New research finds the hot weather and high temperatures can trigger and other mental health issues. But why is this and how can you manage it?

Southampton woman Lauren has health anxiety that gets worse during the hot weather.

06/08/2026

Will the new mental health community hubs announced by the Government today make a real difference?

Don’t get me wrong I think this announcement spells positive intention and is moving us in the right direction. On the surface the idea of services working together, being accessible and available under one roof makes sense and is practically very appealing. When I was a trainee therapist and later as a qualified counsellor I had a placement at Sure Start, which offered amazing support to parents and families in the community. If successful it is possible to see how increasing support in the community in this way could take pressure off NHS services which are struggling to cope at the moment.

However my view is that this will only work in the long-term if properly organised, fully financed and appropriately staffed, with people who have the right know how and training to provide immediate interventions or timely referrals. I will be watching with interest to see how this develops

They will be created as part of a £343m overhaul of services across England

05/08/2026

How many times today have you said the words “I’m fine” but probably not really meant it?

New research conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) found that 70% of men only consider getting therapy when they’re at breaking point and 25% look to other coping methods, like sport or alcohol. Men make up just 36% of referrals to NHS Talking Therapies.

This morning on BBC Radio Five Live Dr. Peter Meades, a psychotherapist for 25 years, spoke about his new book “I’m Fine (But Not Really): What Men Need to Know Without Going to Therapy” (see attached recording)

Even though there is far more openness about mental health and people are increasingly willing to discuss their experiences, the number of men taking up therapy is still low. Why is this?

Here is a link to Peter’s book (out tomorrow) if you are interested in working with men and men’s mental health https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Im-Fine-But-Not-Really-Audiobook/B0GNZWRYB1

05/08/2026

In my view this is one of the biggest, most challenging issues of our time. Misogyny has always existed but for a variety of reasons appears to have escalated over recent years. I think it was highly courageous for this group of teenage girls to speak out and hopefully this will spark wider, ongoing conversations about how we curb such vile, aggressive and toxic attitudes towards women and girls.

Such misogynistic behaviour often begins in childhood, perhaps where boys and young men don’t have positive role models, pick up things they see or hear at home regarding attitudes towards women and this can then be reinforced by people who drive misogyny on social media.

As a man I feel the need to apologise for such behaviour and it is important to emphasise that not all men are like this. I observe the effects of such deep-rooted misogyny present in the therapy room. A female client who bears the physical and emotional scars of years of domestic abuse at the hands of different partners. A man seeking anger management because he can’t stop himself from lashing out and a couple struggling to communicate and show each other respect. We need to treat the causes (however deep-rooted) and not just the effects.

So, yes, there is absolutely a need for this to be addressed in schools but probably at even a much younger age. I agree with what is claimed in the article that not enough has been done in terms of the empowerment of boys and men. I believe we need to be able to teach both gender to respect each other. Only by involving both boys and girls will we find answers to this very concerning social trend.

Would be interested to hear your thoughts if you have any experience of this.

A group of teenagers make a film describing their experiences, ahead of changes to the curriculum.