Lili Reinhart of Riverdale has been open and honest about her body image issues and her mental illness struggles. Lili is just 22 years old but she seems wise beyond her years. She posted a series of messages to her Instagram Story last week stating that she’s back in therapy, that she doesn’t think there’s any shame in that, and that people shouldn’t be embarrassed to seek help. Elle Magazine has a good overview. Apparently Lili’s boyfriend Cole Sprouse, who plays Jughead on their show, also takes photographs for Elle.
The Riverdale actress took to her Instagram stories Friday night to reveal that she’s returned to therapy after what appears to be a brief hiatus from treatment.
“Friendly reminder for anyone who needs to hear it: Therapy is never something to feel ashamed of,” she wrote.”Everyone can benefit from seeing a therapist. Doesn’t matter how old or ‘proud’ you’re trying to be.”
She continued,”I’m 22. I have anxiety and depression…And today I started therapy again. And so the journey of self-love begins for me.”
Reinhart also encouraged her followers to be open and honest with themselves about seeking help for mental illness: “We are all human. And we all struggle. Don’t suffer in silence…Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help.”
Reinhart has been keeping herself pretty busy lately. She’s currently gearing up for season 4 of Riverdale and posing for boyfriend (and ELLE photographer) Cole Sprouse. She shared a sweet tribute to Sprouse on Instagram in honor of Valentine’s Day earlier this week, referring to him as “[her] love.”
I agree with Lili that there’s no shame in therapy and that it helps. In my late 20s I went to a therapist who absolutely changed my life and helped me get perspective on some things. The last time I was in therapy was just a few years ago. I think I didn’t have the right therapist because I didn’t like her and I’m pretty sure she didn’t like me either. Plus it cost $100 a session, which is a stretch for me even though I know that’s pretty cheap for therapy. I don’t need someone to kiss my ass for that amount of money, but they could be a little nicer. Now I try to focus more on rational emotive strategies and countering negative self talk. I’ve considered online therapy but most of the services seem mildly scammy. Anyway I like when celebrities admit that they’re in therapy, when they call out trolls, and when they talk about their issues. It’s become somewhat of a trend for celebrities to open up, and some like Jada Pinkett Smith take it too far for shock value. When famous people disclose things like this they show people, especially teens, that it’s ok to talk about it though. It’s also reassuring that even the most successful and famous people have similar issues to us, as negative as that sounds. We’re not alone.
This post is from Cole Sprouse. I found a sort-of timeline of their relationship and it looks like they’ve been together almost two years.
photos via Instagram and WENN
I’ve always thought that even if you’re not sad or depressed, you should have a therapist.
They’re great and have saved me more than once
Cute couple. I really like her and I’m glad she’s speaking up about therapy/mental illness. So many people her age struggle and the stigma around seeking treatment is still such a barrier for so many. I wish I’d seen someone at that age instead of waiting until my 30s. And I wish my own son, who struggles with anxiety and depression, would understand how helpful a therapist can be.
Best to all who struggle, there is definitely no shame in going to therapy. It can be the best thing you ever do for yourself.
i think it is great she is putting that message out there to her young fans. i totally agree. therapy in my 20’s changed my life and i have occasionally returned for a tune-up and it is so worth the investment. my advice to anyone is if you can, try to get a recommendation from someone you know and don’t be afraid to dump a therapist if you don’t click. there are lots out there – if you’re struggling it is worth the effort to find the right person for you and your personality.
i love lili reinhart. i will follow riverdale off the cliff b/c it is just so campy and fun. she’s for sure the best young actor on the show and she is very beautiful.
Riverdale is the best hot mess on TV. I think the ladies on the show (lili, cami, Madelane) all act circles around the dudes.
She’s lovely in every way — beautiful, talented, and most importantly a great role model for her young fans. It’s wonderful how she is working to take the stigma out of mental health issues and therapy.
Lili is awesome. And Cole is a pretty great photographer! He has a solid portfolio.
You definitely have to therapist-shop and find someone who has both a personality and an approach you click with. I don’t care what any mental heath or spiritual worker tells you, therapy is not a one-size-fits-all. I’m a therapist, and tell clients to shop around before deciding on me–it saves a lot of time and money.
I can tell you that, as a psychiatrist who does therapy, you have to find the therapist that works for you. We’re all different. Some people work best with a therapist who is maternal or paternal. Others work best with someone no nonsense, blunt, and straight to the point. But regardless, your therapist should NEVER make you feel bad about yourself or treat you with cold indifference. That’s just never therapeutic (and I know therapists who are like this). There is nothing wrong in shopping around for the right person and any therapist who has a problem with it, is not a very good one anyway! I’ve had people come in that I just knew I couldn’t work with and I’ve recommended other therapists for them to check out. You have to know when it isn’t going to work, when it isn’t going to be therapeutic, and when to cut your losses, both as a patient and a therapist.
@paranormalgirl said, “But regardless, your therapist should NEVER make you feel bad about yourself or treat you with cold indifference. That’s just never therapeutic (and I know therapists who are like this).”
— Thank you so much for this comment. I am in therapy now, and your sharing this is really helping me to make the decision to do what is best for me.
You’re welcome, and best of luck. YOU are the only person who ultimately matters in the patient therapist equation.