Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh
Creating World Peace | One Relationship at a Time
Love by Design | Available Now
Are you ready to build the relationship you deserve and desire?
If you feel dissatisfied or disillusioned in your romantic partnership, you’re not alone. Many of us were raised with the idea that true love means finding our “other half” and that a spark is the best foundation for successful long-term partnerships and marriages. We drive ourselves crazy chasing that feeling… but what if our understanding of what makes a strong coupledom is flawed?
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.
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We’re continuing to introduce our incredible speakers for WSHD - North America.
Debby Herbenick, PhD, is an award-winning, internationally recognized researcher and an AASECT-certified sexuality educator. She is a professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health and the author of five bestselling books about human sexuality.
Dr. Herbenick will offer age-appropriate tools to not only talk to tweens, teens, and college-aged kids about s*x and consent, but also build a healthy foundation with younger children. She has some concrete advice for parents and providers which they can share directly with their children so that—if and when their children become s*xually active with partners—they are more likely to have it safely.
@debbyherbenick
@wasworldsexualhealth
#relationships
We’re continuing to introduce our incredible speakers for WSHD - North America.
Debby Herbenick, PhD, is an award-winning, internationally recognized researcher and an AASECT-certified sexuality educator. She is a professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health and the author of five bestselling books about human sexuality.
Dr. Herbenick will offer age-appropriate tools to not only talk to tweens, teens, and college-aged kids about s*x and consent, but also build a healthy foundation with younger children. She has some concrete advice for parents and providers which they can share directly with their children so that—if and when their children become s*xually active with partners—they are more likely to have it safely.
@debbyherbenick
@wasworldsexualhealth
#relationships
We all carry labels from our childhood, whether in the form of criticisms or compliments (‘you are X and Y’). As years pass, we often neglect to reassess if these labels still define us—or if they ever did.
Consequently, we find ourselves either constantly striving to live up to these expectations or actively avoiding them, thereby denying ourselves the chance to authentically embody who we truly are or wish to become. I encourage you to reflect on this concept for yourself and those around you.
The next time you feel compelled to offer a compliment, especially to a loved one, recognize that you are labeling them with something and you are offering an expectation alongside your compliment. Consider whether this label aligns with their aspirations, serves their growth and relational dynamic.
from the book: Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to build a lifetime of love. #lovebydesignbook #emergentlove #thriving_relationships #couples #selflove #loveblueprint
We all carry labels from our childhood, whether in the form of criticisms or compliments (‘you are X and Y’). As years pass, we often neglect to reassess if these labels still define us—or if they ever did.
Consequently, we find ourselves either constantly striving to live up to these expectations or actively avoiding them, thereby denying ourselves the chance to authentically embody who we truly are or wish to become. I encourage you to reflect on this concept for yourself and those around you.
The next time you feel compelled to offer a compliment, especially to a loved one, recognize that you are labeling them with something and you are offering an expectation alongside your compliment. Consider whether this label aligns with their aspirations, serves their growth and relational dynamic.
from the book: Love by Design: 6 Ingredients to build a lifetime of love. #lovebydesignbook #emergentlove #thriving_relationships #couples #selflove #loveblueprint
Meet our speakers for this year’s WSHD - North America:
With over 37 years of clinical experience as a psychotherapist, Rick Miller, LICSW will explore the profound influence of mothers on their gay sons and how these relationships shape their lives. Rick is a pioneer in creating mind/body scripts for gay men and the executive director of Gay Sons and Mothers.
@wasworldsexualhealth @rickmillerlicsw
#relationships
Meet our speakers for this year’s WSHD - North America:
With over 37 years of clinical experience as a psychotherapist, Rick Miller, LICSW will explore the profound influence of mothers on their gay sons and how these relationships shape their lives. Rick is a pioneer in creating mind/body scripts for gay men and the executive director of Gay Sons and Mothers.
@wasworldsexualhealth @rickmillerlicsw
#relationships
In memory of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I fondly recall our unexpected meeting over breakfast in Sweden in 2009, where her inquiry about an empty chair sparked a friendship that lasted years. Dr.Ruth’s warmth, wit, and sharp intellect left a lasting impression on me, as did her invitation to connect when back in New York.
Throughout our interactions, whether sharing stages or meals, Dr. Ruth never ceased to surprise me with her unique perspectives and unwavering humor. Her boldness in discussing sexual health and relationships, coupled with her infectious joie de vivre, made her a true pioneer in the field. I was deeply honored when she likened my work to hers, playfully calling me the “Dr. Ruth of the Middle East” upon hearing about my show for the BBC World Service.
While Dr. Ruth brought lightness and laughter to many, it’s important to acknowledge that her viewpoints sometimes sparked controversy and discomfort among #metoo advocates and sexual rights activists. Her stances on gender, rights, and consent evolved differently than many expected, causing division in some circles.
Despite these complexities, I choose to remember Dr. Ruth for her contributions to sexual health education and her unapologetic zest for life. Her legacy as a fearless advocate and educator will endure, inspiring generations to come. As we reflect on her life, let us honor the joy and wisdom she shared, even as we grapple with the nuanced impact of her later years.
@kristen.lilla
•
📷 photo credit: @erikakapin
In memory of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, I fondly recall our unexpected meeting over breakfast in Sweden in 2009, where her inquiry about an empty chair sparked a friendship that lasted years. Dr.Ruth’s warmth, wit, and sharp intellect left a lasting impression on me, as did her invitation to connect when back in New York.
Throughout our interactions, whether sharing stages or meals, Dr. Ruth never ceased to surprise me with her unique perspectives and unwavering humor. Her boldness in discussing sexual health and relationships, coupled with her infectious joie de vivre, made her a true pioneer in the field. I was deeply honored when she likened my work to hers, playfully calling me the “Dr. Ruth of the Middle East” upon hearing about my show for the BBC World Service.
While Dr. Ruth brought lightness and laughter to many, it’s important to acknowledge that her viewpoints sometimes sparked controversy and discomfort among #metoo advocates and sexual rights activists. Her stances on gender, rights, and consent evolved differently than many expected, causing division in some circles.
Despite these complexities, I choose to remember Dr. Ruth for her contributions to sexual health education and her unapologetic zest for life. Her legacy as a fearless advocate and educator will endure, inspiring generations to come. As we reflect on her life, let us honor the joy and wisdom she shared, even as we grapple with the nuanced impact of her later years.
@kristen.lilla
•
📷 photo credit: @erikakapin
Join our panel of experts Jessica Fern, MS and Adrian Scharfetter, PhD as they delve into the art of nurturing trust in relationships, offering insights that transcend boundaries and embrace diverse forms of love and connection.
Moderated by author and journalist August McLaughlin, host of Girl Boner Radio, this panel will explore poly-amorous relationships. 🙌🏼Registration link for the World Sexual Health Day is in my bio 🙌🏼
Registration is free for all or for $50 for 6 hours of AASECT CEs.
@wasworldsexualhealth @augustmclaughlin @jessicafern411
#relationships #lovebydesign #emergentlove
Join our panel of experts Jessica Fern, MS and Adrian Scharfetter, PhD as they delve into the art of nurturing trust in relationships, offering insights that transcend boundaries and embrace diverse forms of love and connection.
Moderated by author and journalist August McLaughlin, host of Girl Boner Radio, this panel will explore poly-amorous relationships. 🙌🏼Registration link for the World Sexual Health Day is in my bio 🙌🏼
Registration is free for all or for $50 for 6 hours of AASECT CEs.
@wasworldsexualhealth @augustmclaughlin @jessicafern411
#relationships #lovebydesign #emergentlove
Here are some practical steps for you to move away from harmful perfectionism:
•Noticing Negative Emotions: such as unnecessary anxiety, fear of failure, frustration, or being overly self-critical.
•Impact on Well-Being: such as causing stress, burnout, procrastination, or feelings of inadequacy
•External Validation: Noticing tendencies to seek validation or approval from others through perfectionism, rather than focusing on intrinsic satisfaction or personal growth.
•Rigid Thinking Patterns: Recognizing rigid thinking patterns where mistakes are seen as failures (and you get stuck in negative self-talk) rather than opportunities for learning and growth.
•Developing awareness: about whose standards you are trying to live by?
•Perfectionism as a Defense Mechanism: Understanding that perfectionism may serve as a defense mechanism to protect against criticism, guilt, rejection, or feelings of unworthiness.
•Impact on Relationships: Noticing how perfectionism affects your relationships, such as setting unrealistic expectations for others or being overly critical. This I see in a perfectionists personal and professional relationships all the time.
Here are some practical steps for you to move away from harmful perfectionism:
•Noticing Negative Emotions: such as unnecessary anxiety, fear of failure, frustration, or being overly self-critical.
•Impact on Well-Being: such as causing stress, burnout, procrastination, or feelings of inadequacy
•External Validation: Noticing tendencies to seek validation or approval from others through perfectionism, rather than focusing on intrinsic satisfaction or personal growth.
•Rigid Thinking Patterns: Recognizing rigid thinking patterns where mistakes are seen as failures (and you get stuck in negative self-talk) rather than opportunities for learning and growth.
•Developing awareness: about whose standards you are trying to live by?
•Perfectionism as a Defense Mechanism: Understanding that perfectionism may serve as a defense mechanism to protect against criticism, guilt, rejection, or feelings of unworthiness.
•Impact on Relationships: Noticing how perfectionism affects your relationships, such as setting unrealistic expectations for others or being overly critical. This I see in a perfectionists personal and professional relationships all the time.
This mindset shift is not about lowering ambition but about finding fulfillment in the present, which can often be overlooked in our pursuit of future goals.
Embracing JOMO can also deepen our connections with our surroundings and others because it creates a mindset that allows us to be more present and genuinely engage with family, friends, and colleagues with whom we want to create more fulfilling bonds and experiences without distraction.
Curious about FOMO, JOMO, and ways to cultivate more joy in your life? Comment below with “I am ready for JOMO” and I will send you the link to my this month’s newsletter which has plenty of tips on the topic!
This mindset shift is not about lowering ambition but about finding fulfillment in the present, which can often be overlooked in our pursuit of future goals.
Embracing JOMO can also deepen our connections with our surroundings and others because it creates a mindset that allows us to be more present and genuinely engage with family, friends, and colleagues with whom we want to create more fulfilling bonds and experiences without distraction.
Curious about FOMO, JOMO, and ways to cultivate more joy in your life? Comment below with “I am ready for JOMO” and I will send you the link to my this month’s newsletter which has plenty of tips on the topic!
The United States is made up of immigrants, religious refugees, outcasts, and dreamers who sought a place to experience freedom, live with a sense of agency and autonomy over their lives. It’s essence lies in its diversity, where individuals from different backgrounds have the opportunity to live interdependently, while acknowledging and respecting each other’s independence –an ideal to celebrate and strive for.
We each arrived in the US through unique paths, but as immigrants, we unite in our fight for freedom and human rights for all. Despite the tumultuous climate at times, we take pride in our nation`s commitment to these ideals.
On this Independence Day, I encourage you to think about what independence actually means and how it applies to you and your relationships. When it comes to relationships, both independence and interdependence are essential. Without one, the other will not be possible.
Independence involves knowing where you end and the other begins, having a healthy sense of who you are and how you want to be treated by others. it involved a sense of agency over your thoughts and deeds and being able to take responsibility for them as they impact yourself and others around you.
Interdependence transcends mere independence by nurturing relationships where mutual respect, equity, and support thrive without diminishing individual identities.
#July4th #independence #interdependence #diversity #independenceday ✨photo courtesy of Fergal Spelman
The United States is made up of immigrants, religious refugees, outcasts, and dreamers who sought a place to experience freedom, live with a sense of agency and autonomy over their lives. It’s essence lies in its diversity, where individuals from different backgrounds have the opportunity to live interdependently, while acknowledging and respecting each other’s independence –an ideal to celebrate and strive for.
We each arrived in the US through unique paths, but as immigrants, we unite in our fight for freedom and human rights for all. Despite the tumultuous climate at times, we take pride in our nation`s commitment to these ideals.
On this Independence Day, I encourage you to think about what independence actually means and how it applies to you and your relationships. When it comes to relationships, both independence and interdependence are essential. Without one, the other will not be possible.
Independence involves knowing where you end and the other begins, having a healthy sense of who you are and how you want to be treated by others. it involved a sense of agency over your thoughts and deeds and being able to take responsibility for them as they impact yourself and others around you.
Interdependence transcends mere independence by nurturing relationships where mutual respect, equity, and support thrive without diminishing individual identities.
#July4th #independence #interdependence #diversity #independenceday ✨photo courtesy of Fergal Spelman
