Josh and Anna Duggar Say They’re in Marriage Counseling

Reality TV personality Josh Duggar speaks in favor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., on Aug. 29, 2014. (Danny Johnston/AP Photo)

Josh and Anna Duggar, of reality TV fame, have revealed they are attempting to build their relationship through counseling, according to a statement posted on the Duggar family’s website.

The Duggars said on Friday: “Since the residential treatment program ended, we have been working with a professional marriage and family counselor to take important steps toward healing,” read the statement. They thanked fans “for the prayers, love and encouragement.”

Josh, 28, the eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar---the parents of the Arkansas family featured on TLC’s reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting”---left a treatment program in March. He went to rehab at a faith-based treatment center for seven months, returning home two months ago, it was reported.

“It isn’t easy and some days are very difficult,” Josh and Anna’s statement continued. “It is a long road to rebuild trust and a truly healthy relationship.”

“As the future unfolds, we are taking one day at a time and we are grateful for your continued prayers for both of us and our sweet children,” the statement added.

Josh and Anna, who were married in 2008, have four children.

Last year, “19 Kids and Counting” was canceled by TLC after police reports from more than 12 years ago surfaced, saying he had abused five girls when he was 14. Last year, amid the scandal and other allegations, Josh admitted that he had “acted inexcusably.” The show was canceled after TLC made the announcement on July 16, 2015---just three days before Josh and Anna had their fourth child. It was reported last year that the Duggar family would lose an estimated $25 million per year due to the show’s cancellation, loss of endorsements, book deals, and other deals based on the show.

In a March episode of “Jill & Jessa: Counting On,” Anna spoke about visiting her husband while he was in rehab.

“This visit was great because it definitely gives a lot of hope, but also the weight of everything is there and so it definitely drives me deeper to my faith,” she said, according to People magazine.