Jennifer Aniston Opens Up About Her Years of Therapy: I Needed Help Expressing My Anger

Cake actress also credits meditation to a healthier mindset and lifestyle

By Mike Vulpo Jan 22, 2015 1:46 AMTags
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Jennifer Aniston may be perfect in the eyes of her fans. But even the Friends superstar admits she has her flaws.

In this week's issue of The Hollywood Reporter, the Cake actress opened up in a whole new way about her personal life.

As it turns out, her struggles to express anger combined with her need to be a "control freak" pushed her to see a therapist. Unfortunately, her beloved doctor passed away at not-the-best time.  

"It was at a crazy time, right when we were going through our divorce and everything," Aniston shared with the publication when referencing her split from Brad Pitt. "But I learned so much in the four years I worked with her, that when she did pass away I remember thinking, ‘Wow, everything that we talked about and discussed, it's allowed me to be really peaceful about it all.'"

She added, "I mean, there were human moments. But I was really shockingly OK."

According to the publication, Aniston's therapist focused on the fundamental issue of self-assertion allowing the Golden Globe nominee not to bottle her anger up in unhealthy ways.

With many meetings, the actress learned to change her mindset and communication skills.

"Her whole thing with me was really saying, 'You have to stand up for yourself in life,'" she disclosed. "She was really trying to help me deal with anger and learning how to express it without feeling terrified that I was going to get murdered in response."

To this day, Aniston also makes meditation a priority in her life to help maintain a healthy mindset. Instead of following a particular guru, the 45-year-old practices at home several times a week.

"I'm on a really good, personal, strict regime," she said. "These days, I've been [doing it] every day. I have a little place at home, and I do it for about 20 minutes, at different times, usually right after a cup of coffee and before the chaos starts."