Eliza Dushku is closing the door on Hollywood and stepping confidently into a brand-new chapter—one that’s all about healing, growth, and helping others.
The 44-year-old actress, best known for her roles in Bring It On, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dollhouse, just revealed that she’s officially graduated with a master’s degree from Lesley University. Her focus? Clinical Mental Health Counseling—with certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“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,” Eliza wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.
This milestone comes eight years after Eliza stepped back from acting, choosing instead to focus on inner work, personal transformation, and building a different kind of life.
“After nearly a decade of inner work and building a new life, I’m so grateful for this moment in time. To my highest self—for taking this wild leap away from everything I knew and making it happen 🙌. To my boys + ♥️—for the little sacrifices made & love you gave, each day to honor and support this dream 🙏,” she continued.
It’s clear that this journey wasn’t just academic—it was deeply personal. Eliza took time in her message to thank her community and everyone who supported her through the process: “And 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.”
She added, “Today, I stand grounded and ready to support others on their journeys of becoming—through self-discovery, healing, and transformation. The connectedness I feel in holding safe, compassionate space for those who seek the undertaking is such lifeblood now. To possibility, hope, and healing, all.”
This isn’t just a career pivot—it’s a whole new mission. Eliza described her new role as her “true calling,” and it’s clear she’s approaching it with the same passion and dedication that made her a standout on screen.
After years in the public eye, she’s now focusing on helping others do the inner work she herself has embraced. It’s a full-circle transformation, and one she seems more than ready for.
