Marriage Educators

Dennis Lowe, Ph.D. T. 310.506.8551
Dr. Lowe is the founding director of Pepperdine University's Center for the Family, a marriage and family education center. His speaking topics include: marriage education, marriage mentoring, working through the faith community to teach marriage/parenting skills, a "healthy relationship" course and marriage education in a university setting, use of the PREP program (and trainings.)

Rita DeMaria, Ph.D. T. 215-628-2450
Dr. Rita DeMaria is a member of Council for Relationships in Philadelphia and director of its PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Skills) Program. A marriage and Family therapist since 1974, DeMaria's practice specializes in marriage education, counseling, enrichment, divorce prevention and premarital assessment and counseling. More information about her work can be found at: www.marriagedoctor.com. In addition, Dr. DeMaria has couples who are willing to be interviewed.

Greg Smalley, Psy.D. T. 417.335.5882
Dr. Smalley is the president of the Smalley Marriage Institute, a not-for-profit ministry passionate about helping couples who are in distress. SMI's nationally recognized Intensive Programs are taking couples from the bring of divorce and dramatically changing the way these couples interact. Internal research suggests that 93% of these couples are still together. Dr. Smalley has published over 100 articles, appeared on Focus on the Family, and has written four books including: The Men's Relational Toolbox, co-authored with his father Gary and brother Michael Smalley (published in 2003 by Tyndale House).

Youth Educators

Kay Reed T. 510-528-7975
Ms. Reed is the president of The Dibble Fund for Marriage Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people learn skills which enable successful relationships and marriages. Ms. Reed and The Dibble Fund serve as nationwide advocates and resources for youth marriage education and publish materials which help teach relationship skills.

Marriage Researchers/Authors

Susan Heitler, Ph.D. T. 303.388.4211
Dr. Heitler is author of Power of Two Marriage Skills Workshops, which are based on her book The Power of Two and its companion Power of Two Workbook. A frequent contributor of cases to the famed "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" column in Ladies Home Journal, Dr. Heitler's specialty is conflict resolution in marriage. She writes on the skills couples need for marriage success, methods of marriage therapy, and the role of marriage difficulties in depression.

Judith Wallerstein, Ph.D. T. 415.924.5750, extension 2
Dr. Wallerstein is best known for her long-term studies on divorce and her extended face to face interviews with adults and children. Her most recent book is the Unexpected Legacy of Divorce. She is also the author of The Good Marriage How and Why Love Lasts (Houghton Mifflin 1995), which is a clinical study of 50 happy marriages.

Community Organizers

Kelly Simpson, M.A. Pschology, L.M.F.T., C.S.C T. 214.369.5717
Ms. Simpson is the author of Active Relationships programs and the founder of the Families are Relationships Foundation. She is also the lead spokesperson for the Dallas area, "Healthy Marriage Initiative" community coalition. She is able to speak on: the Admnistration's Healthy Marriage Initiative, community coalition building, relationship education vs. therapy/counseling, and relationship skills programming and outcomes.

Bob Tures, Ed.D. T. 928.773.7833
Dr. Tures is the Program Director for Strong Families Flagstaff, an organization devoted to developing a variety of skills training programs for couples. Among the topics he is able to speak on are: the linkage between couples' skills and childbirth, the challenges involved in designing and building a Community Healthy Marriage Initiative, integrating the program CONNECTIONS into high school curriculums, and visions for the future of the marriage movement.

Divorce Change-Agents

Judy Parejko, M.S.- Family Studies, T. 715-235-1419
Author of Stolen Vows: The Illusion of No-Fault Divorce and The Rise of the American Divorce Industry. Ms. Parejko previously worked as a family court mediator and is currently involved in researching archival legal materials to better understand the origin and intent of "no-fault" divorce. She is now working with others to educate church leaders (in particular, leadership within the Catholic Church) about the great need for their help in defending marriage against attack from civil authorities, as well as encouraging church leaders to establish church-based "marriage hospitals" for the casualties of "relationship wrecks".