Why Is Josh Duggar Not In ‘Jill & Jessa: Counting On’ After Leaving Rehab?

“Jill & Jessa: Counting On” returns Tuesday, but viewers shouldn’t count on seeing the eldest Duggar sibling. Though Josh Duggar is out of rehab, he isn’t jumping back in front of the camera just yet. It’s been revealed that Josh’s absence on the TLC reality show is a business decision.

TMZ’s sources have claimed that “the family is focused on rebuilding their brand after his molestation scandal and trying to move forward without rehashing the past.” That doesn’t just go for “Counting On.” Apparently, Josh won’t be featured on any Duggar specials in the foreseeable future.

Josh’s scandals led to the cancellation of “19 Kids and Counting.” The show was axed after it was revealed that Josh had molested several young girls as a teenager. The family remained in the spotlight when Josh’s account on Ashley Madison, a website for men seeking extramarital affairs, was exposed. He entered rehab shortly after that in August 2015.

Watch a “Jill & Jessa: Counting On” trailer below:

The absence of Josh in “Jill & Jessa: Counting On” isn’t too surprising. He also wasn’t in the initial three-part special that aired in December. His absence is largely due to the fact that he wasn’t physically with the family during the first months of filming. He was in rehab until last week. He reportedly was in a long-term treatment program at Reformers Unanimous in Rockford, Illinois.

The Duggar family revealed he recently left treatment after seven months. “Josh has completed his residential rehabilitation program,” the family posted on their website. “We are so thankful for everyone who worked with Josh in this program. It was a crucial first step in recovery and healing for Josh. Josh has now returned to Arkansas, where he will continue professional counseling and focus on rebuilding relationships with his family.”

His absence certainly hasn’t stopped his family from talking about him. Though December’s three-part special focused on Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald, they discussed Josh quite a bit. His wife Anna was also shown, and she’ll appear again in the full season.

“Jill & Jessa: Counting On” Season 1 premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT on TLC.