Purpose of Meeting
I am requesting your support in referring couples to my “2 Have & 2 Hold” Remarriage Workshop. The 8-hour workshop will fulfill one of the final requirements for my Doctor of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and for graduation from Eastern University in Philadelphia, PA, in May 2026.
*Workshop Criteria: Individuals and spouses are 45-65 years old, and both are in a second marriage following a divorce or considering a second marriage after divorce. Both spouses need not be present.
My doctoral project topic, “To Have and To Hold”: Redefining and Reinforcing Remarriage After Divorce in Middle Adulthood, was selected after observing that, although the number of remarriages was increasing, divorce rates were higher among remarriages than among first marriages. In addition, despite the transitions and milestones of middle adulthood, there was little research on this developmental phase. My hypothesis was that remarriage required redefining and an increased understanding of the unique individual, relational, and systemic factors that contribute to the success and challenges of second unions. The literature reviewed highlighted themes of addressing “baggage” from the first marriage, the influence of religious and societal views, and the need for remarriage preparation consisting of pre-remarital counseling, psychoeducation, and therapy to provide couples with specialized support.
The goal of this 8-hour workshop is to bring couples together in a safe space to share and learn through a PowerPoint presentation, the Remarriage Assessment, the development of the Remarriage Resource kit, and the Remarriage Shared Vision Statement.
Couples will receive a light breakfast, lunch, a workshop folder, and a completion certificate. Pre- and post-workshop quizzes, along with a workshop evaluation, will gather valuable feedback. As a gesture of appreciation, couples can receive two free couples’ therapy sessions after attending the workshop (valued at 150.00)
Ultimately, each couple’s participation will provide vital feedback to expand knowledge and enable more informed, specialized care for this dynamic population. The achievement of learning outcomes will be evaluated and presented to university faculty, fellow students, and guests at my Doctoral Symposium following the workshop.
I am forging ahead full speed. Therefore, once you have spoken with a couple that meets the criteria, I would like to contact them to provide additional information and answer any questions.
Thank you for your support in helping me complete my doctoral project and begin the work of- Redefining and Reinforcing Remarriages.
Veronica Walker-Douglas, LCSW, Doctoral Candidate