Where Is Home Alone's Devin Ratray Now? The Buzz McCallister Actor Today
Cameron Diaz only has one way to describe her marriage to Benji Madden. "It was the best thing that ever happened to me," she told brother-in-law Joel Madden -- who is her husband's twin -- during the December 10 episode of his "Artist Friendly" podcast. And the Bad Teacher star, 52, got candid about what keeps their nearly 10-year union running smoothly.
"Therapy is a big thing in our family, thank God," said Cam. "It's what we depend on, so you have that commitment to work on it." Joel, 45, was quick to add that he and wife Nicole Richie, 43, are also devoted to counseling. "It's like going into the gym and learning new moves, building on strength," shared the host, who's previously been open about not pretending "to be perfect" with his spouse: "We go to therapy -- lots of therapy."
Indeed, both couples might not be where they are today without the help of professionals. "Cameron and Nicole agree that counseling saved each of their marriages," a source exclusively tells Life & Style. "It's what they rely on to keep their individual relationships healthy."
While Nicole may be younger, she and Joel have been together since 2006 and married since 2010, so Cameron views her as a role model when it comes to maintaining a romance in the spotlight. "She looks up to Nicole, who basically steered her in the direction of therapy," claims the insider, noting Cam famously dated guys like Matt Dillon, 60, Jared Leto, 53, Justin Timberlake, 43, and Alex Rodriguez, 49, prior to tying the knot with Benji, 45, in January 2015. "They practice open communication, honesty, taking time for yourself, date nights without the kids, and that simple rule of trying not to go to bed angry. The relationship tools they've each acquired are pretty priceless."
Cameron points out that counseling has been especially helpful when it comes to changing destructive patterns, so she and Benji can avoid "doing the same thing over and over again."
"Let's be self-aware," the actress said, "and go into the next attempt a little bit more equipped to hopefully come out with a different outcome."
Of course, couples therapy only works when both parties are willing to put in the required effort. "It goes back to wanting to do it," Cameron shared. "You can't be in a marriage and have a family if ... both people are not 100 percent every day. Nobody can be 99 and the other one be 100."
Luckily, the Good Charlotte bandmates are up for the challenge. "You have to give equal credit to Benji and Joel because these are guys who may look tough but are in touch with their feelings," says the insider. "They know that a happy wife means a happy life."