Eliza Dushku, best known for her iconic role as Faith on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has taken a transformative step in her life and career, trading Hollywood scripts for healing sessions as she embarks on a new journey as a mental health counselor.
Earlier this month, the 44-year-old actress graduated with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To mark the milestone, Dushku shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, walking across the commencement stage to receive her diploma. The post also featured celebratory photos with her husband Peter Palandjian, their two sons, and fellow graduates.
“Graduating with my master’s degree (!!) feels like more than an achievement — it feels like a deep calling realized. True growth, energy, and passion — manifested,” Dushku wrote in the caption. She praised her “highest self” for making the bold decision to leave behind a life she knew and pursue something deeply meaningful. She also thanked her children “for the little sacrifices made & love you gave, each day to honor and support this dream.”
In a touching tribute to her support network, Dushku wrote, “To my family, friends — new and old — my colleagues/classmates, professors/teachers, and community, I give thanks: for rooting me on, encouraging me day in and day out, and affording me the grace, strength, and space to step fully into these past years of clinical training.”
“Today, I stand grounded and ready to support others on their journeys of becoming — through self-discovery, healing, and transformation,” she concluded. “To possibility, hope, and healing, all.”
Dushku began her studies in 2017, stepping away from acting to focus on mental health — a shift she has since described as her “true calling.” According to a recent press release, she is now certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
In a 2024 Boston Magazine interview, she revealed that her decision was fueled by personal trauma and a desire to support others through healing. “I had the means to shift directions and choose a course in my life that focused on healing myself so that I could help heal others,” she explained. “This is just absolutely so clearly my real calling, my real purpose.”
Dushku has been candid about her past, including allegations of abuse and harassment throughout her career. In 2018, she detailed a $9.5 million settlement with CBS after accusing Bull co-star Michael Weatherly of sexual harassment. Her experience further propelled her into trauma-informed therapeutic work.
With her academic journey complete, Dushku is now focused on helping others navigate healing, proving once again that slayers can come in many forms.