The Bachelor Joey Graziadei has revealed how he and fiancee Kelsey Anderson benefited from couples counseling once cameras stopped rolling.
The couple were forced to keep their romance a secret after becoming engaged in Tulum, Mexico on the season finale of The Bachelor.
Despite the challenges of not being able to go public with their relationship, they were able to continue to grow together with the help of a therapist.
Speaking with People, Joey revealed how the couples counseling - which was given to them by the show - helped them communicate with one another as they began their new lives together.
'It's definitely not easy because we both do appreciate the physical touch,' Joey, 28, told People. 'We communicate so much better when we're actually with each other in the same room. But the couples' counseling made a huge difference for us to not only be able to find better ways to communicate, but also learn how each of us communicate differently.'
The couple underwent virtual therapy, where Joey says they 'learned a lot about each other'.
The tennis pro teacher says the counseling 'made a world of difference.'
'Even though this time has not been the easiest — because who would want to be apart from someone when they get engaged? — I think it's going to help us in the future.'
Joey landed The Bachelor role after coming in second on Charity Lawson's season of The Bachelorette. Lawson ultimately selected Dotun Olubeko - who even offered words of wisdom to Kelsey after she said yes to Joey.
'Dotun gave me great advice,' she told People. '"Just go through it with no refunds." So I'm like, "You don't have any refunds here. This is a non exchangeable." So regardless of what obstacles come our way, I know that we're going to be able to get through it.'
Describing the 'close' friendship he has forged with Dotun, Joey also said Charity had 'been there for both of us.'
The latest Bachelor has been asking for advice and trying 'to lean on the people that have been doing this and successful through it.'
'There's two sides. There's the idea of just understanding what all of this is like, and it's also talking to the couples that have been able to make it through it,' he said. 'So we've been trying to do a little bit of both, and I think it's been really helpful for us to just understand that we're not alone.'
He called The Bachelor journey a 'very unique experience' but noted he's not the first to have gone through the challenge of finding their partner on the show.
'They have been successful going through it, and we're going to try our best to lean on them for help because they'll get it,' he said.
Fortunately the wait to go public is now officially over - on Tuesday the couple made their relationship Instagram official.
The couple posted sweet snaps of them together, from their engagement to a cute pamper session they had together as Kelsey flashed her dazzling engagement ring.
'Just checking in as the luckiest guy in the world…' Joey proclaimed in the caption. 'What a beautiful ending to such an amazing experience. All of this started back in January of 2023, when I received a DM from a Producer on the Bachelor who asked me if I’d be interested in going on a Reality TV Show to find love. I questioned if it would be for me, if it could actually work, if it was the right atmosphere for me to find a true love.
'I now sit here today knowing that it was hands down the best decision of my life. Everything that has happened since that day has led me to this remarkable woman that is unlike anyone I have met in my life. She is kind, beautiful, goofy, original, authentic, and my bright light.
'“I always knew I wanted to have a beautiful life, I just didn’t know how beautiful it could be until I met you”. I love you forever Kelsey. This is only the beginning.'
Joey became engaged to Kelsey during Monday's live season finale after she accepted his marriage proposal in Tulum.
'I can't wait another minute to tell you that I love you,' Joey said to Kelsey. 'There is something about you. You have this infectious energy that makes me smile. It's a feeling I've never had before.
'I know during this time that we built a very strong flame and the only reason I know that flame will never go out is because you are my light. I have known for a while that I wanted to have a beautiful life. But I truly didn't know how beautiful that life could be until I met you.'
Joey then dropped to one knee and proposed to Kelsey. She tearfully said yes.
