Nearly two years after ending her "toxic" marriage, Valerie Bertinelli shares her experiences of learning to trust again in a new relationship.
Valerie Bertinelli, the beloved actress and former Food Network star, recently opened up about her journey of healing and the challenges of regaining trust after a traumatic marriage. In a candid Instagram post, she revealed that she has found love again with writer Mike Goodnough, but the path to this new relationship has been marked by vulnerability and a confrontation with her past demons.
After her divorce from businessman Tom Vitale was finalized in 2022, Bertinelli embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery. Determined to break free from the patterns that had held her captive in her previous relationship, she began to address her buried traumas and emotional wounds.
Valerie Bertinelli's Journey to Trust after Toxic Marriage
"I wanted my life to be different than it was and I wanted to be a whole and emotionally healthy human being," Bertinelli shared on Instagram. "Being vulnerable and authentic are two things I thought I had really worked on and accomplished, but I really thought I had conquered most of my demons."
However, the arrival of Goodnough in her life served as a catalyst for her to confront her lingering fears and insecurities. "I'm in love," she admitted to People magazine earlier this year, acknowledging the complexities of navigating a new relationship after the scars of the past.
Valerie Bertinelli's Journey to Trust after Toxic Marriage
Bertinelli explained that rebuilding trust after experiencing betrayal and emotional abuse is a daunting task. "I’m hearing that being in a relationship after healing from a toxic one will bring out some triggers you didn’t know were still buried," she wrote on Instagram. "And ain’t that the truth."
She had previously referred to Vitale as "The Narcissist" and admitted to tolerating the intolerable for far too long. Before their divorce, Bertinelli confessed to Hoda Kotb that she struggled to imagine ever trusting anyone again.
Despite her initial reservations, Bertinelli found solace and support in Goodnough. "He is the most thoughtful, kind, gentle, intelligent, funny, and grateful man I’ve ever met," she gushed on Instagram. "Learning to trust again after having that trust destroyed is not an easy thing. Those demons want to protect you from being vulnerable and emotionally exposed ever again."
However, Bertinelli's determination to overcome her past traumas and embrace a fuller life prevailed. "He is worth fighting the rest of my demons for," she declared.
Bertinelli's journey of healing and the challenges of regaining trust after a toxic marriage resonate deeply with many who have experienced similar pain. Her willingness to share her experiences and embrace vulnerability serves as a source of hope for those who seek to break free from the shadows of their past and find love again on their own terms.
