Angelina Jolie has begun therapy with her children, two weeks after filing for divorce from Brad Pitt. Photo / AP
Angelina Jolie has begun therapy with her children, two weeks after filing for divorce from Brad Pitt. Photo / AP
Angelina Jolie has begun family therapy with her six children, two weeks after her shock split from Brad Pitt.
The 41-year-old Hollywood star is "staying strong for her kids" in what has "been a traumatic situation", a source told People magazine.
"She did what she felt she had to do to protect the safety of the kids," the source said.
Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from her husband Brad Pitt and is demanding sole physical custody of their six children. Photo / AP
The Maleficent star reportedly barricaded herself inside a secluded LA-area rental home with her kids, friends and brother James Haven after news of the split broke.
At home, Jolie's kids - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox - have been watching movies and playing in the pool.
"They didn't leave the rental house for days," a source close to the family told People. "It was hard for all of them. They are used to more activities and more entertainment so it's difficult for them to just stay at the house. The younger kids don't understand what's going on."
Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt last month, citing "irreconcilable differences", and they agreed to a temporary custody arrangement granting Jolie full custody and permitting Pitt visitation with a therapist present for the first meeting.
The temporary term ends on October 20, when the Department of Child and Family Services will make new recommendations.
Jolie and Pitt will also attend counselling as part of the agreement, with the Fight Club actor also agreeing to voluntary drug and alcohol testing.
Angelina Jolie with her daughter Zahara and Brad Pitt with Jolie's son Maddox. Photo / AP
The news follows reports Pitt is "totally crushed" by the split and allegations he physically and verbally abused his son Maddox in a drunken tirade on board a private plane. He has denied the claims.
"He can't believe this is what his life has become, and he's in bad shape, but the kids are the only thing he's hanging onto," a source told Us Weekly. "He's been leaning heavily on his family and speaks to his parents and close friends and his manager constantly. His mum has been talking to him constantly."
The Hollywood powerhouse couple was together for 12 years, and married for two, after meeting on the set of 2005 movie Mr & Mrs Smith.
