Ask Amy: Screen smooch an upsetting scene

Dear Amy: My husband and I have been married for a year, and we're very happy. We are both actors, which makes our life hectic, but it's what we love!

Now he is doing a film in which he has to lustfully kiss another woman, and I'm finding this really painful.

A few years back, my first husband lied and cheated and abandoned me and our daughter, so now I'm a bit sensitive to this sort of thing. I went through therapy, and it helped, but the thought that my husband is going to kiss a beautiful actress hurts and brings up a lot of pain.

He is very understanding and suggested that we both talk to a counselor about the situation before the filming begins.

The problem is that without insurance and with only a couple of weeks before the filming, I doubt this will be resolved by then.

I need to know what to do. I want to feel better.

- Afraid Actress

Dear Afraid: As an actor, you should be able to understand better than most that this goes with the territory.

If you can't speak with your own therapist about this, you and your husband could seek the advice of other actors who have been through this particular experience.

Ruminating about this will not help either of you. Insecurity has a way of doubling back onto you. It will make you seem needy and anxious. Your own anxiety can drive both of you crazy.

If all else fails, you could try to "act" your way out of this.

If you saw this as an acting challenge, you could behave as if you were Joanne Woodward (partner to a successful, frequently kissed actor) - confident, trusting, and able to handle it.