Angela Oakley is opening up about the work behind her marriage, saying therapy has become one of the most important tools in strengthening her relationship with husband Charles Oakley.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member recently reflected on the couple’s ongoing counseling journey during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Rather than portraying therapy as a temporary solution, Oakley described it as a lasting commitment that continues to benefit their nearly decade-long marriage.
“We are in counseling,” Angela said. “Counseling is forever.”
She added that one of her biggest personal lessons has been accepting that she does not always have to win every disagreement.
“And my biggest takeaway is, I’m not always right. Sometimes, Charles can be right. You know, like, I hate it here,” she joked.
Charles Oakley, the former NBA standout who was seated in the audience, offered his own perspective on how the couple navigates conflict.
“She always thinks she’s right,” Charles said. “So I just let her go and let her have it her way ’cause arguing ain’t going to go nowhere but bad. When we start arguing, it’s going to end up bad. So I just said, ‘Hey, it’s your way.’”
“And I like it that way,” Angela responded with a laugh.
A Marriage That Has Faced Public Challenges
Angela and Charles have not shied away from discussing difficult chapters in their relationship throughout the current season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Earlier this season, Angela revealed that the couple’s therapist, Dr. Wendy, has played a significant role in helping them overcome several obstacles. She credited counseling with improving communication and rebuilding trust after periods of financial strain and public scrutiny.
The couple also revisited one of the most difficult periods of their marriage following Charles’ highly publicized 2017 arrest after an altercation at Madison Square Garden. The charges were later dismissed, but Angela said the incident created emotional challenges that affected their relationship during their first year as husband and wife.
“We were newly married,” Angela recalled. “He needed to heal, and I couldn’t heal him during this time. I was just like, ‘You know what? We’re going to try to work through this at a distance.’”
“And we did live separately,” she continued. “So us just recommitting to one another, I feel like is important at this moment, because everything that happened since we got married, it affected us.”
Their openness has become a recurring storyline throughout the Bravo series. Angela previously acknowledged that financial setbacks from unsuccessful real estate investments placed significant pressure on their marriage. She ultimately decided to step away from those projects to prioritize her family and relationship.
Looking Ahead Together
Despite past struggles, Angela says she and Charles are now in a much stronger place because they continue putting in the work. She has repeatedly emphasized that counseling is not a sign of failure, but a long-term investment in their marriage.
The couple has also discussed the possibility of renewing their vows as a symbolic way to celebrate how far they have come. According to Angela, recommitting to each other feels meaningful after overcoming years of personal, financial and public challenges together.