Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver have reportedly embarked on couples therapy in a bid to mend their broken marriage.

The pair split last summer after news emerged that Arnold had fathered a secret child with their housekeeper Mildred Patricia Baena14 years earlier.

Now reports are suggesting the former couple are attending counselling in a last-ditch attempt to save their family.

Sources have revealed to the New York Post that Maria is devoted to her Catholic faith and the thought of divorce worries her. Meanwhile, Arnold has reportedly told those closest to him that he realises the error of his ways.

"Arnold and Maria are having marriage counselling to work through their issues to get back together," a friend told the publication. "Maria is a devout Catholic and doesn't believe in divorce, but is still struggling with the humiliation she endured by him. He is promising the moon and telling Maria he has completely changed his ways. Maria's friends are warning her to be careful, saying he'll never change.

"Arnold is desperate to win her back, mostly because he realises he can't live without her, and partly because he doesn't have the political clout without her. Winning her back would be the best way to show the world he has been forgiven for his transgressions."

Maria filed for divorce on July 1 after news broke of Arnold's infidelity, but the pair have since been spotted out together.

They wed in 1986 and have four children together.