Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Creating World Peace | One Relationship at a Time
Author, Speaker, Thinking Partner
I am fascinated by the way connections work. I am most passionate about exploring how they lead to meaningful and fulfilling relationships, the way they help us grow, how they contribute to our awareness of self and others, and how all of these could be seen similarly and differently across relationships, cultures and organizations.
Love by Design | 6 Ingredients to Build a Lifetime of Love
True love should give your heart a break, not a heartbreak!
Recipient of the 2025 Vincent Clark Award from the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists for significant advances in the field of relational science.
As I am sure you know, the quality of our relationships profoundly shapes the quality of our lives. How we navigate one relationship often reflects how we approach all relationships. Yet, unlike financial or career planning—where clear strategies guide our decisions—we often leave love to chance and luck. But we don’t have to.
In my research and practice for over 2 decades across 41 countries, I’ve identified 8 common relational configurations that reveal how couples connect, and I’ve developed a groundbreaking model of love called the Emergent Love Model. This framework is built on 6 essential ingredients for thriving and lasting relationships: mutual attraction, trust, compassion, respect, shared vision, and loving behavior. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re actionable, research-driven elements that form the foundation of lasting, fulfilling connections.
Ready to design the loving relationship you desire and deserve? Get your copy of Love by Design today, wherever you buy your books, Kindles, and audiobooks around the world!
World Sexual Health Day North America 2025
Mark your calendars for September 12, 2025, as we celebrate World Sexual Health Day with a theme that centers on body positivity and neutrality.
This day is a reminder to embrace our bodies as they are—without judgment or comparison. Let’s foster a culture where everyone can feel empowered, confident, and at peace with their bodies, focusing on health, respect, and acceptance.
Join us as we promote sexual health and wellbeing for all by honoring and loving the bodies we live in.
Capture a Panoramic View of Your Relationship
Scientifically validated 360º degree assessment of modern relationships now available for all couples! Whether you are satisfied, struggling or just want to see where your strengths are as a couple and highlight the areas that need intentional work, RPI is for you.
- You and your partner take the test.
- It takes less than 30 minutes to complete the test.
- The report contains side-by-side comparison of your responses.
Join the Community
Subscribe to The Common Ground, my monthly newsletter on Substack, where I share expert insights on building thriving relationships, from the bedroom to the boardroom.
Learn exactly where to invest your resources—Time, Energy, Attention and Money—to create the fulfilling connections you desire and deserve.
Plus, you’ll receive exclusive bonus content and be the first to hear about upcoming events and special offers!
Sexual wellbeing is essential for every human not optional do you agree? 🙌🏼
Join me and our incredible lineup of speakers to celebrate World Sexual Health Day, 2025🫶🏼
- Free for all
- Virtual
- Register from anywhere (link in bio)
-bring a friend, partner, colleague or your whole community. The larger group we become, the bigger splash we make!
Sorry, no CEs this year to keep the event fully free for all.
@docfaysal @theraemcdaniel @augustmclaughlin @drscottlyons @ChrisWalling @dremilyjamea
#wshd #love #sexualhealth #was @wasworldsexualhealth #loveyourbody
Sexual wellbeing is essential for every human not optional do you agree? 🙌🏼
Join me and our incredible lineup of speakers to celebrate World Sexual Health Day, 2025🫶🏼
- Free for all
- Virtual
- Register from anywhere (link in bio)
-bring a friend, partner, colleague or your whole community. The larger group we become, the bigger splash we make!
Sorry, no CEs this year to keep the event fully free for all.
@docfaysal @theraemcdaniel @augustmclaughlin @drscottlyons @ChrisWalling @dremilyjamea
#wshd #love #sexualhealth #was @wasworldsexualhealth #loveyourbody
Q: Dr.Sara when do I know when my marriage is over?
A: watch my answer in the real.
I look forward to receiving the questions and answering them on Wednesdays . I’m here for you ❤️
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
Q: Dr.Sara when do I know when my marriage is over?
A: watch my answer in the real.
I look forward to receiving the questions and answering them on Wednesdays . I’m here for you ❤️
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
What do you call each other in your coupledom?
Nicknames in intimate relationships often carry more meaning than we realize. A whispered “babe,” a playful “pumpkin,” or a unique term known only to the two of you can become emotional shorthand, shaping your bond and revealing the deeper textures of your connection.
Take a moment to reflect:
What were you called growing up, and who gave you that name?
In your current meaningful relationships (whether with a partner, close friend, or family member) what names do you use for one another? Are they affectionate, respectful, commanding, or simply habitual?
How do these names influence the emotional tone or power dynamic between you? Were they chosen with care, or adopted without much thought?
My nickname growing up was “the little black fish” . The name was given to me by my dad after a character in the children’s storybook, describing a little fish who always wanted to see and explore the world beyond her small pond. I’m still very much that little blackfish exploring the world and trying to find an answer for my existential questions!
🗣️Share a favorite nickname you use or one you have left behind. I’m sure everybody has a story and we can all inspire one another🫶🏼
🔗Linked to my full TEDx talk is in my bio.
#lovebydesignbook #love #thrivingrelationships #intentionalliving #names #nicknames
What do you call each other in your coupledom?
Nicknames in intimate relationships often carry more meaning than we realize. A whispered “babe,” a playful “pumpkin,” or a unique term known only to the two of you can become emotional shorthand, shaping your bond and revealing the deeper textures of your connection.
Take a moment to reflect:
What were you called growing up, and who gave you that name?
In your current meaningful relationships (whether with a partner, close friend, or family member) what names do you use for one another? Are they affectionate, respectful, commanding, or simply habitual?
How do these names influence the emotional tone or power dynamic between you? Were they chosen with care, or adopted without much thought?
My nickname growing up was “the little black fish” . The name was given to me by my dad after a character in the children’s storybook, describing a little fish who always wanted to see and explore the world beyond her small pond. I’m still very much that little blackfish exploring the world and trying to find an answer for my existential questions!
🗣️Share a favorite nickname you use or one you have left behind. I’m sure everybody has a story and we can all inspire one another🫶🏼
🔗Linked to my full TEDx talk is in my bio.
#lovebydesignbook #love #thrivingrelationships #intentionalliving #names #nicknames
Little acts of etiquette go a long way in keeping your love alive 🫶🏼 Couples who have emergent love start the day with warm greetings and appreciation
• They have meaningful check‑ins
• They express gratitude and admiration
• They prioritize “over‑communicating” to stay emotionally aligned ( this is not only verbally!)
Try this with your children too, you will see the results💕
Curious which one could elevate your relationship toolkit? Share your favorite or try one tomorrow and let me know how it goes in the comments!
Read the full article. Link in my bio ⛓️💥
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
#morningroutines
Little acts of etiquette go a long way in keeping your love alive 🫶🏼 Couples who have emergent love start the day with warm greetings and appreciation
• They have meaningful check‑ins
• They express gratitude and admiration
• They prioritize “over‑communicating” to stay emotionally aligned ( this is not only verbally!)
Try this with your children too, you will see the results💕
Curious which one could elevate your relationship toolkit? Share your favorite or try one tomorrow and let me know how it goes in the comments!
Read the full article. Link in my bio ⛓️💥
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
#morningroutines
True loving relationship will elevate you and celebrates what matters to you at various phases of your life.
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
True loving relationship will elevate you and celebrates what matters to you at various phases of your life.
#love #loving #lovingrelationship #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #couples #marriage #dating #thrivingrelationships #drsaranasserzadeh
New offering 🫶🏼 Wednesdays Q& A ❓Do you have a question about your relationships at home or at work? Put them below in the comments or DM me. I’ll go through them on Wednesdays 🙌🏼
#community #lovebydesignbook #thrivingrelationships #relationshipsfrombedroomstoboardrooms
New offering 🫶🏼 Wednesdays Q& A ❓Do you have a question about your relationships at home or at work? Put them below in the comments or DM me. I’ll go through them on Wednesdays 🙌🏼
#community #lovebydesignbook #thrivingrelationships #relationshipsfrombedroomstoboardrooms
Are there any parts of you that you think are not welcomed by your partner in your coupledom?
#couples #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #drsaranasserzadeh #thriving #thrivingrelationships #love #beingseen
Are there any parts of you that you think are not welcomed by your partner in your coupledom?
#couples #lovebydesignbook #emergentlovemodel #drsaranasserzadeh #thriving #thrivingrelationships #love #beingseen
To my older and new friends on the page, I’m so grateful that you’re here. Let me know how I can better serve our community by sending me your messages and comments.🫶🏼
To my older and new friends on the page, I’m so grateful that you’re here. Let me know how I can better serve our community by sending me your messages and comments.🫶🏼
Voices of Trust and Impact
