(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Michelle Williams says starring in Blue Valentine was "a form of therapy".

The actress lost her former lover Heath Ledger from an accidental overdose in 2008. Michelle has a six-year-old daughter, Matilda, from their three-year-relationship, and found his death terribly hard to deal with.

Michelle says starring in the critically acclaimed independent drama Blue Valentine opposite Ryan Gosling helped her heal after the tragedy.

"You could call it that," she replied, when asked if the film was a form of therapy for her.

"That film also took me to lots of dark places and sometimes when you confront sadness and fear it can resolve lots of issues in your head. What really resonated with me was how the film started with the purity and joy of their relationship and then later it's all gone and it's frightening how happiness can give way to such anguish and loss."

Michelle thinks the 2010 romantic drama was a milestone in her life and career. The stunning star credits it for helping her come to terms with Heath's death.

"I felt that I had gotten back to where I was and that I felt like myself and was rediscovering a lot of emotions that I had buried since Heath's death," she explained.

"Maybe the intensity of the film and the fact that my character was falling in love with Ryan's character had something to do with that." (C) Cover Media