Even months later, Jennifer Aniston is still reeling from the loss of her estranged mother, Nancy Dow — and the bereavement has brought her closer to a familiar face, her ex-husband Brad Pitt.

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Even though she thought she worked through the heartbreak with the help of therapy, it’s all coming back to haunt her — and she’s turned to ex-husband for help during this emotionally complicated time.

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“She’s been looking to [Brad] for guidance and advice,” a source tells In Touch exclusively. “Her husband, Justin Theroux, is trying to help, but Brad understands her better than anyone else. Jen needs Brad more than ever right now.”

Part of the reason Brad, 53, is Jen’s only hope is because he was there when things fell apart between the 48-year-old and her late mother — including the ordeal that led to their estrangement when Nancy sold a story about Brad and Jen’s engagement to a tabloid TV show.

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“Brad knows the history of Jen’s complicated relationship with Nancy and doesn’t judge her for the feelings she’s having,” the source continues. “He pointed out that Jen didn’t love her mom, and she’s mourning the loss of the mother she would never know. Jen was deeply touched and realized he was right.”

Jen has continued to come to terms with many facets of her life — including the fact that her childhood wasn’t as traumatic as she remembers it, or the fact that Brad is much more “evolved” than the person she married all those years ago. And the new Brad, the source explains, has been “tremendously helpful” since he first reached out to Jen following Nancy’s passing.

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Understandably, she’s thankful to have this newer, more mature Brad by her side as she works through her most difficult and testing times.

“Jennifer is so grateful to have him back in her life,” the source gushes.

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