Cameron Diaz: Open words about her couples therapy

Many married couples do it, but few talk about it. “Charlie’s Angels” actress Cameron Diaz (52) revealed in a candid conversation with her brother-in-law what role a therapist plays in her marriage to Good Charlotte rock musician Benji Madden (45).

“Therapy is a big thing in our family, thank God,” Diaz said on the latest episode of her husband’s twin brother and bandmate Joel Madden’s podcast. She talked to him openly about how the sessions strengthened their relationship. “It’s what we depend on, so you have an obligation to work on it.”

The actress is raising their daughter Raddix (4) and son Cardinal (8 months) with the guitarist. She explained that therapy helps them not to “do the same thing over and over again” as they talk about their problems today. “Why didn’t it work? How can I get it working again? What’s my part? What’s the other person’s job?” the American went into even more detail. “We should be aware of ourselves and approach the next attempt a little better prepared to hopefully come out with a different result.”

It’s still not always easy, but: “Even if you’re mad at each other, don’t want to see each other and are fed up with each other, you’re still 100 percent there for the marriage and the partnership and things in the family. If If it’s not 100 percent, it just doesn’t work.”

The couple also support each other professionally. Cameron Diaz retired from acting for a decade. She will soon be back on the scene in “Back in Action” (from January 17th on Netflix). Her husband supported her at home for her return to the spotlight. “My husband is just the best,” she said during Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit in October. “He said, ‘You supported us and built the family. […] It’s time we supported you and let mom step up and do her thing.'”