Kelly Ripa, the renowned host of “Live with Kelly and Mark,” recently shared a deeply personal revelation about her decision to start therapy at the age of 40. Speaking on her podcast, “Let’s Talk Off Camera,” Ripa disclosed that an emotional encounter with a friend at a bar mitzvah triggered her journey into therapy.
The catalyst for Ripa seeking professional help was the moment when a friend innocently asked her how she was, leading to unexpected tears. Reflecting on the incident, Ripa recalled with a touch of humor, “I started sobbing, and I wasn’t entirely sure why.” Her friend, recognizing the need for support, promptly recommended her therapist.
The therapy experience, according to Ripa, provided profound insights into self-discovery. “I really got to know myself,” she shared. “I really got to understand why I had such trouble embracing success of any kind.” This candid admission sheds light on Ripa’s ongoing struggles with social anxiety disorder, a topic she explores in her 2022 memoir, “Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories.”
In her memoir, Ripa reveals the challenges she faces, expressing how social anxiety affects her daily life. “People think that because I’m an extrovert on television I am one in real life. Surprise. That’s why they call it acting,” she wrote.
Ripa’s revelations extend beyond therapy, delving into her broader emotional struggles. “I cry in the shower. I cry myself to sleep. I cry backstage. I sometimes want to cry in the middle of the show. Sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe,” she shared.
Tyler Perry, a guest on the podcast, also shared his perspective on therapy. While he admitted to never having participated in therapy himself, he noted how Meghan Markle spoke to him “like a therapist” during her tumultuous departure from the royal family. Perry emphasized the therapeutic nature of writing, a process he learned from his friend Oprah, describing it as “cathartic” and a way to externalize pain.
By sharing her vulnerabilities, Ripa wants to encourage others to seek help if needed as well as fosters a greater understanding of the complexities surrounding mental well-being.
To hear Ripa discuss her mental health and benefits of therapy, check out the video below.
Has Ripa’s openness about her therapy journey inspired or resonated at all with your own experiences with mental health?
