by Anna Kendrick has become known for her witty humor and down-to-earth nature, both on-screen and off. However, the actress recently made a bold revelation, candidly opening up about how therapy has deeply impacted her emotional health and well-being.
In a raw and heartfelt interview, Kendrick explained her experiences with therapy over the years and how it has helped transform her outlook and equip her with skills to manage challenges. Her openness in discussing mental health reflects a growing public awareness of therapy’s benefits.
The Difficulties of Show Business
Kendrick first started her acting career as a child, scoring a Tony nomination at just 12 years old for her Broadway debut. She explained the strange dichotomy of growing up in the entertainment industry — dealing with very adult situations and material at a young age, while still developing as a person.
“There was always this underlying feeling that I had to have it together, to be ‘on’ whenever I was in public or doing press,” she revealed. “If I wasn’t perfectly put together or enthusiastic all the time, it meant I was ungrateful or difficult.”
She described feeling increasing pressure to be “on” as her career took off. The stresses only intensified after garnering acclaim for her breakout role in Up in the Air opposite George Clooney.
“I was terrified that any misstep would ruin everything,” she confessed. “There was this voice inside telling me I didn’t deserve the success, and it would all come crashing down.”
The Desire to Live More Authentically
After years of hiding her struggles, Kendrick realized she wanted to live more authentically. “I was tired of feeling like I had to put on an act or hide parts of myself,” she shared.
She started to understand many of the emotions she was experiencing — like anxiety, self-doubt and people-pleasing tendencies — were shared by others as well.
Still, taking the step to enter therapy was daunting.
“There’s still a stigma, especially when you have a public-facing career,” she explained. “You don’t want to be perceived as ‘crazy’ or ‘damaged goods.’”
But, after approaching it carefully, she found an excellent therapist she connected with. “It was such a relief to talk to someone impartial, who didn’t see me as ‘Anna Kendrick, actress.’ I could just be a person working through private struggles.”
Examining Core Issues
Kendrick emphasized that therapy is not an instant fix — it requires commitment and courage to slowly unpack your issues. But, by examining the roots of her emotional patterns, she gained much-needed clarity and perspective.
“For me, I had to realize a lot of my anxiety stemmed from childhood experiences,” she revealed. “Being uncertain of my worth and needing validation from others’ approval — these things shaped my relationship with myself more than I realized.”
Through therapy, Kendrick was able to trace how her early experiences influenced her adulthood:
- Fears of failure and not measuring up started early. As a child actor, her identity became enmeshed with achievement. Not getting a part felt like rejection of her as a person.
- She realized she derived a sense of safety from rigidly controlling her food intake and body image. This false sense of control carried over into trying to control her career success.
- She linked her people-pleasing tendencies to anxiously trying to avoid conflict as a child. She came to recognize when she sacrificed her needs to appease others.
- Her therapist helped her understand how blanketing statements like “I’m not enough” or “I’m inadequate” were cognitive distortions that obscured reality.
Developing Healthier Ways of Thinking
Kendrick emphasized that while awareness of her issues was a start, she had to actively develop new skills as well. A huge aspect of therapy involves identifying dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns and consciously shifting them.
“It felt uncomfortable at first,” she shared. “My old habits and mindsets were so engrained. But over time, I was able to catch myself when I fell into old thought patterns and consciously direct my thinking in a healthier direction.”
Through CBT techniques, mindfulness principles, and other methods, she learned how to:
- Counter overly critical inner voices with more compassion and reason
- Interrupt spiraling negative thoughts by bringing her attention back to the present moment
- Prioritize self-care activities that boosted her mood like exercise, time with friends, etc.
- Set healthy boundaries around work obligations to reduce burnout
- Recognize accomplishments and build more balanced self-esteem
“I still have bad days of course, but they don’t send me into a shame spiral like they used to,” she said. “I have so many more psychological tools now.”
The Ongoing Journey
Kendrick emphasized that managing mental health is an ongoing process without an end point. Even years later, she still touches base regularly with her therapist during stressful periods.
“I’m much better equipped now to deal with challenges when they arise,” she said. “But I’m not done — I’m still a work in progress and always trying to improve.”
She also noted it takes time to undo the effects of unhealthy thought patterns built up over years. But she highlighted the importance of self-compassion through the ups and downs.
“Be patient and kind to yourself. Don’t get discouraged just because you haven’t reached the finish line,” she advised. “As long as you keep making positive steps forward, you’re moving in the right direction.”
Benefits Beyond Acting Career
Most profound for Kendrick was realizing therapy gave her so much more than coping tools for navigating show business. The personal growth she experienced touched all areas of her life.
“It helped me let go of things that no longer served me, develop healthier relationships, and make so many small but impactful life changes,” she revealed. “I’m more confident asking for what I need, I have an easier time embracing vulnerability, and I don’t let other people’s opinions hijack my emotions anymore.”
Ultimately, Kendrick says therapy empowered her to live life more fully and fearlessly.
“I spent so many years inhibited by my insecurities,” she shared. “Now my career is only one facet of my life — and not my sole source of happiness. I have a much deeper sense of inner peace.”
Demystifying the Process
Kendrick says she hopes to help demystify the process of therapy. She wants to encourage others — especially those in the spotlight — to take control of their emotional health.
“This stuff is nothing to be ashamed of. But you have to be committed to doing the work and pushing past your comfort zone,” she stressed.
