Michelle Obama is prioritizing her mental health.
The former first lady and her brother and “IMO” podcast co-star Craig Robinson opened up about their therapy journeys during an appearance on Jay Shetty’s “On Purpose” podcast.
Obama explained that their parents created a “safe space” growing up that felt akin to therapy, and that she sought fellowship with family members and girlfriends in the same way.
“I believe in the power of sharing your challenges with other people that you trust and that can come in many forms, and it has for me,” she told Shetty. “I believe in couples therapy, I believe in it all. Whatever works for you.”
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Michelle Obama sought out therapy after White House: ‘Every choice that I’m making is completely mine’
In terms of formal therapy, she sought it out because “I think we need to be coached throughout our lives, and I think therapy is a form of coaching.”
“At this phase of my life, I’m in therapy right now because I’m transitioning,” the “Becoming” author said.
“I’m 60 years old. I’ve finished a really hard thing in my life with my family intact. I’m an empty nester,” she added. “Now for the first time, as I’ve said before, every choice that I’m making is completely mine now. I don’t have the excuse of, ‘Well, my kids need this, or my husband needs that, or the country needs that.’ So, how do I think about this next phase?”
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Michelle Obama breaks silence on skipping Trump’s second inauguration
Before she opened up about the internal work she is doing on herself, Obama previously shot down rumors she was splitting from former President Barack Obama, during a May 1 episode of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast with host Steven Bartlett.
“If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,” she said, telling Bartlett that her brother “would know it,” too. “I would be problem solving in public,” adding, “I’m not a martyr.”
Robinson said if the pair were having marriage problems, “I’d be doing a podcast with (Barack Obama).”
Contributing: Jay Stahl
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michelle Obama in therapy after White House, becoming empty nester
