It’s only been less than a year since Joy-Anna Duggar married Austin Forsyth, but it seems the newlyweds are already experiencing some rough patches.
Earlier this week, for example, accusations that Austin had abused Joy made their way across social media.
Now, the Forsyths are reportedly addressing their issues head-on with a trip to a marriage counseling retreat.
Of course, the Duggars don’t believe in traditional forms of therapy, so Joy and Austin’s options are limited.
Any help that they seek must be rooted in their religious beliefs, and they’re obligated to keep it all in the family for secrecy’s sake.
As a result, the young couple is pushing conflict of interest concerns to the side and seeking help at a retreat hosted by Austin’s parents.
”Getting some work done at camp. We have the Spring Marriage Retreat coming up on April 20-22, come hear Austin and I share our testimony,” an ad on the Forsyth’s website reads.
The retreat promises “powerful truths from scripture encouraging couples to strive for a marriage the way God designed it to be….Coupled with team building activities, and humorous games, these 2 night, 3 day events are perfect for rekindling, reviving and renewing any love story!”
It sounds like pretty lighthearted stuff … and perhaps that’s the problem.
Joy and Austin aren’t looking to rekindle the flame ahead of their silver anniversary.
These are two very young people who didn’t get to spend any time alone together until their honeymoon, and who welcomed their first child almost exactly nine months after tying the knot.
Now the difference in their personalities is abundantly clear to fans, and it’s reached the point where Austin’s constant annoyance with Joy’s childlike personality has allegedly pushed him into verbal abuse territory.
Unfortunately, they live in a world where even if they decided they’re both miserable and horribly ill-suited for one another, divorce is simply not an option.
Joy and Austin don’t need trust falls and couples archery; they need real treatment for a licensed therapist.
Unfortunately, that sort of thing simply doesn’t fly in Duggar Land.
Watch Counting On online for more from reality TV’s most controversial family.
