Cameron Diaz and Nicole Richie ‘agree’ that counseling ‘saved’ each of their marriages

Cameron Diaz has only one way to describe his marriage Benji Madden. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” she told her brother-in-law Joel Madden — who is her husband’s twin — during the Dec. 10 episode of his “Artist Friendly” podcast. And that one Bad teacher Star, 52, was candid about what keeps their nearly 10-year union going.

“Therapy is a big thing in our family, thank God,” Cam said. “That’s what we depend on, so you have that obligation to work on it.” Joel, 45, was quick to add that he and the wife Nicole Richie43, is also dedicated to advice. “It’s like going to the gym and learning new moves, building strength,” shared the host, who has previously been open about not pretending “to be perfect” with her spouse: “We go to therapy — lots of therapy .”

In fact, both couples might not be where they are today without the help of professionals. “Cameron and Nicole agree that counseling saved each of their marriages,” a source says exclusively. Life & Style. “It’s what they depend on to keep their individual relationships healthy.”

Cameron Diaz sees Nicole Richie as a ‘role model’

While Nicole may be younger, she and Joel have been dating since 2006 and married since 2010, so Cameron sees her as a role model when it comes to maintaining a romance in the spotlight. “She looks up to Nicole, who basically steered her in the direction of therapy,” the insider claims, noting that Cam has known dated guys like Matt Dillon60, Jared Leto53, Justin Timberlake43 and Alex Rodriguez49, before they tied the knot with Benji, 45, in January 2015. “They practice open communication, honesty, taking time for yourself, date nights without the kids and the simple rule of not going to bed angry. The relationship tools they’ve each acquired are pretty priceless.”

Cameron points out that counseling has been especially helpful when it comes to changing destructive patterns so that she and Benji can avoid “doing the same thing over and over again.”

“Let’s be self-aware,” the actress said, “and go into the next trial a little more equipped to hopefully come out with a different result.”

Of course, couples therapy only works when both parties are willing to make the necessary effort. “It goes back to wanting to do it,” Cameron shared. “You can’t be in a marriage and have a family if … both people are not 100 percent every day. No one can be 99 and the other be 100.”

Fortunately, the Good Charlotte bandmates are up for the challenge. “You have to give Benji and Joel equal credit because these are guys who may look tough but are in touch with their emotions,” says the insider. “They know a happy wife means a happy life.”