Valerie Bertinelli Says She's 'Learning to Trust Again' with New Boyfriend After Having 'Trust Destroyed' Previously

Valerie Bertinelli is "learning to trust again," she said in a new Instagram post.

In the post from Tuesday, June 25, the cookbook author became vulnerable when sharing an update about healing from a past "toxic" relationship. She is currently dating writer Mike Goodnough and has been very open about their loving connection.

Bertinelli, 64, said she started her "healing journey" in late 2022 before she began dating Goodnough. Berintelli finalized her divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale in November 2022. "I wanted my life to be different than it was and I wanted to be a whole and emotionally healthy human being," she said now.

"Being vulnerable and authentic are two things I thought I had really worked on and accomplished," she continued, "and I really thought I had conquered most of my demons."

The celebrity chef wrote of a recent hurdle: trust.

"I have heard that being in a relationship after healing from a toxic one will bring out some triggers you didn’t know were still buried," she said. "And ain’t that the truth. 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."

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She concluded her post by praising her beau for all he has done for her. "This man is worth fighting the rest of my demons for. He is the most thoughtful, kind, gentle, intelligent, funny, and grateful man I’ve ever met," she said.

Bertinelli signed off by complimenting his looks: "And look at him. 🥰 I mean…"

Bertinelli was married to financial planner Vitale from 2011 until 2022, and before that she was married to Van Halen frontman Eddie Van Halen from 1981 until 2007. Van Halen died in 2020 after being diagnosed with throat cancer.

She has been candid about her breakups, sharing words of wisdom online and at speaking events.

"When something is toxic, and it's only ever been that…Do your best to heal your way to indifference," she wrote on her Instagram Story in March 2023. "You do not have to forgive to move on🤍."

Bertinelli told PEOPLE about her new relationship, which started online.

“I’m in love,” she said in an April cover story. “It’s a seesaw of emotions because I was adamant I was never falling in love again."