By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter Producer
MANHATTAN — A married couple is suing a therapist whose wacky tips for wedded bliss almost destroyed their relationship, the New York Post reported.
Brooklyn actors Guido Venitucci., 44, and Heather Aldridge, 39, claimed they were on the brink of divorce after Venitucci followed Upper West Side shrink Jeffrey Mechanic's weird advice - to have an affair.
But now the two have found something to unite over: an $8 million lawsuit against the couples counselor.
The pair accused Mechanic, 57, of "manipulating the emotions of Venitucci in order to gain control over him," according to the newspaper.
"He would tell me constantly that my wife was not capable of satisfying me," Venitucci told the Post.
"For 10 years, I was faithful. Then I just caved in and had an affair."
Venitucci, an Italian-born actor who appeared in "The Royal Tenenbaums," and Aldridge, an actress and New York City school teacher, said in the suit that they had paid Mechanic $150,000 — $300 per session, over 11 years — for his services.
And the therapist also shared his twisted logic with another client, urging lifestyle gur Blair French to cheat in an effort to save her marriage.
French, 38, who is also suing, has since divorced, the Post reported.
"He encourages people to have affairs," she said.
"He makes people feel it's OK. He gives them permission to do it. It's almost like he's telling them it will help their current marriage."
French and her former husband began seeing Mechanic in 1996 and continued until their divorce 10 years later, according to the Post.
"I felt like I was in a cult. The more I tried to leave, the more he'd become enraged," French told the paper.
Mechanic's lawyer, Charles Gayner, said the charges were ridiculous.
"They are absolutely frivolous," Gayner told the Post. "We deny all the allegations. We are disappointed to see they are going this route."
Mechanic, whose practice is located on West 72nd Street near Riverside Drive, was licensed by the state Education Department in 1994, the Post reported.
