LONDON: Reese Witherspoon has faced some tough times in the past few years. Her split with husband Ryan Phillippe in 2006 was particularly difficult for the Legally Blonde actress who has two children with him. The Oscar-winner also recently ended a two year relationship with her Rendition co-star Jake Gyllenhaal.

Reese reveals that during the ‘very humiliating and isolating’ divorce, and her break up with Jake, she has relied on counselling to help her get through the pain. “I’ve had help. Through difficult times I have always found counselling helpful and I don’t think there is anything shameful in that.”

She also credits her close female friends for helping her. “It's tough being a woman. You are supposed to be self-sufficient, but we all need our sisters. I have three women friends who will drop anything to help me and I will do the same for them. I believe in those female bonds, because a lot of stuff happens with men and marriage and divorce, but family and friends are paramount.”