Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh – Discovering Insights

About Dr. Sara

Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, PhD is a Social Psychologist and a thought leader in the fields of Cultural Fluency, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sexual Health & Relationships.

Her commitment to the growth of our human community manifests in her multi-dimensional efforts. Dr. Nasserzadeh is a prolific and award-winning author with two books in English, several book chapters, and a multitude of peer-reviewed articles and white papers to her credit. She is highly regarded by her peers and served on the board of various professional organizations.

As a former member of the International Federation of Journalists, “Dr. Sara” created and hosted a program called the Whispers for the BBC World Service on sexuality and relationship issues, which received BBC’s Innovation of the Year Award in 2007 in London. This program “Whispers” which is the first of its kind in the Middle East is still ongoing and reaches millions of Farsi-speaking viewers across the globe.

Beside her clinical work as a psychosexual therapist and couples counselor, Dr. Nasserzadeh has presented more than 500 keynotes and workshops on a variety of topics across the globe. Dr. Nasserzadeh has also been a senior cultural advisor and strategic consultant for governments, international NGOs, UN agencies, Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, professional organizations and private sector across 37 countries.

In 2007, Dr. Nasserzadeh received the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) runner-up award for Excellence and Innovation for her international work in the area of human development in Sydney. In 2011, she was a winner for the Pfizer’s Innovation of the Year Award for establishing company’s Customer Insights Council and for designing an integrative strategic plan to make customers a priority for the enterprise.

Dr. Sara was named as one of the Best Love Doctors by Harpers Bazaar, and one of the Women in the Know by Daily Mirror. DatingAdvice.com named her as one of the 10 Best Sex and Dating Experts in 2015. In March 2018, she was honored by the British Council as a UK Alumni Award finalist in the category of Social Impact. This award is the most prestigious in the category of Education offered by The British Council annually.

She currently serves at the Board of Religion and Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights Task Force of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Dr. Nasserzadeh is based in Southern California and travels widely.

Twitter: @DR_Sara_ FB: Dr.SaraNasserzadeh Instagram: Dr.SaraNasserzadeh

Books & Publications

Dr. Sara recently published her second book, Sexuality Education Wheel of Context with Dr. Pejman Azarmina. The Wheel of Context for Sexuality Education was created as a practical framework to ensure that educators, advocates, and researchers in the field of sexuality education maintain a holistic perspective on a selected number of key contextual factors that may influence, hinder or catalyze our work. The Wheel of Context may also help provide a greater appreciation for the communities we serve and ultimately lead to more desirable outcomes for our programs or projects. It is not only a tool to build consensus and alignments at the onset of a project, but also a medium to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders, create solutions out of conflicting ideas and a measure to deepen our understanding about the root causes of unforeseen barriers and resistance that we may face.

Dr. Sara also co-authored the Orgasm Answer Guide with three esteemed colleagues, which received AASECT’s Book Award Honorable Mention in 2011. Her other awards include the World Association for Sexual Health runner up award for “Excellence and Innovation” in sexuality education (Sydney, 2007) and Pfizer’s “Innovation Award” for her efforts in setting up a global Customer Insights Council for the company (New York, 2010).

Selected Publications

Here is a list of peer reviewed articles, podcasts, white papers, policy reports, books and book chapters that I had the privilege to work on. Please get in touch if you would like further information on any of these.

Media Portfolio

Press and Publications

Inverview: Why Size Actually Does Matter

In this Glamour Magazine article written by Kaitlin Menza, Dr. Sara argues that popularity of a large ‘male package’ is overrated.

Featured: Six of the Best Love Doctors

Dr. Sara believes in using a holistic approach for a healthy mind and body. In her interview with Harper’s Bazaar, we learn that to feel sexy, we need to be both physically and psychologically fit. She describes her holistic approach in treating sexual problems at her practice in London.

View on Website View Screenshot

Article: Dr. Sara on France’s Muslim Face-Veil Ban

In an article by genConnect, Dr. Sara as a social psychologist provides her perspectives on changing cultural norms in response to this controversial news from France.

View on Website View Screenshot

Interview: Ultimate Sex Tips from the Women Who Know Best!

An interview with the Daily Mirror: 25 tips from Dr. Sara and 5 other top sexologists in England on how to put the ‘x’ back in your sex.

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Press Release: Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh to Star in NAKED IN A FISHBOWL

A press release announcing Dr. Sara’s guest star performance in Naked in a Fishbowl in 2011. According to Dr. Sara, “It will be a pleasure to join the talented cast of Naked in a Fishbowl. I will use any channel to get accurate sexual health information to people out there.”

View on Website View Screenshot

Radio

Dr. Sara Joins the NPR Worldview to discuss the cultural context of banning a popular movie in India. March 2015, NYC Studios.

Dr. Sara Joins The NPR Worldview to discuss the influencing factors around “The culture around silence” around sexual molestation and abuse.

“THE WHISPERS” (DAR-EGOOSHIHA)

Dr. Sara was the creator and host of this award-winning radio/online program on sex and relationships for the BBC World Service, Persian section. In this photo, Dr. Sara is receiving the BBC World Service Award for the Innovation of the Year from Mark Thompson, Director-General of BBC in February 2007.

Listen to the Whispers

WBEZ WORLDVIEW INTERVIEW AT NPR STUDIOS, NYC

Dr. Sara joins Worldview to shed some light on the sexual realities of the Middle East at the NPR studios in New York, April 2012.

Listen

SEX IN ISLAM – ABC RADIO NATIONAL

Dr. Sara was interviewed by ABC’s (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) leading religion journalist Stephen Crittenden twice, first when she was invited by the UNESCO Institute of Education in Hamburg in 2002, and then when she was attending the World Congress for Sexual Health in Australia in 2007. The Religion Report was a program that covered religious affairs in Australia and around the world from 1999 to 2009.

Videos

Big Think

Dr. Sara on Big Think talking about love, chemistry and lofe without sex. Available here.

New Dawn Show

Two segments discussing health benefits of sex and orgasm.

gen|Connect|U

Two episodes on genConnect about faking organism and the secrets of sex.

Q & A with Dr. Sara

Question: “My partner only likes anal sex. Is he gay?”

Naked in a Fishbowl

Dr. Sara improvising on an off-Broadway show in New York.

Downloadable Resources

Coming Soon!

Speaking

From the Stage

Speaking Engagements

Dr. Sara offers keynote lectures, plenary sessions and training programs across the world. She has delivered over 500 professional presentations and workshops across 42 countries and more than 200 workshops for the public.

Her audience range from couples to MDs, psychologists, therapists, counselors, researchers and educators from one side to executives, board members, policy makers and UN officials.

Here is a list of organizations that invited Dr. Sara to benefit from her expertise and unique perspectives:

Stanford University, Apple Health Center, UNESCO, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Nursing, College of Sex and Relationship Therapists, UNFPA, World Population Foundation, World Association for Sexual Health, European Federation of Sexology, University of Tlaxcala, Tehran Medical School, SUNY Medical School, Wagner College, Asian Federation for Sexology, Porterbrook Clinic, Institute of Education, University of London, Cornell University, Oxford University, Cambridge University, Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Feminine Weapon and Columbia University.

Culture

From Cultural Literacy to Inter-Cultural Proficiency

The issue of cultural literacy, competency and humility has been one of the most sought-after areas that Dr. Sara is talking about. She brings a unique cross-cultural perspective weaving the intricacies of Western vs. Eastern cultures, but also the importance of family values, education, socioeconomic status, religion, spirituality, personal values and core beliefs in shaping one’s sense of culture.

Her talks on culture has been customized based on the target organization or venue:

At professional conferences and meetings, Dr. Sara talks about the importance and role of culture in evaluating patients and clients coming from varying backgrounds and cultures.
At corporations, this talk morphs into interpersonal dynamics, corporate culture and cultural humility in dealing with challenging employee relationships.
Elsewhere, Dr. Sara is invited to talk about how programs, services and products can be developed and marketed in a culturally-sensitive manner.

Wheel of Context

Over the past few years, Dr. Sara has developed a unique model to analyze contextual matters that can increase the chances of success in any setting or profession.

Psychologists, counselors and therapists benefit from this talk by learning how to incorporate the wheel of context in understanding their patients’ or clients’ problems and offer more effective advice or therapies.

Executive and business professionals use the wheel of context to broaden their understanding of market dynamics, historical events, culture and other factors to better plan for commercialization and marketing of their products and services.

The wheel of context has also been used extensively in topics such as sexuality education, psychosexual therapy and client assessment. It was created as a practical framework to ensure that educators, advocates, and researchers in the field of sexuality education maintain a holistic perspective on a selected number of key contextual factors that may influence, hinder or catalyze our work. It also helps provide a greater appreciation for the communities we serve and ultimately lead to more desirable outcomes for our programs or projects. It is not only a tool to build consensus and alignments at the onset of a project, but also a medium to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders, create solutions out of conflicting ideas and a measure to deepen our understanding about the root causes of unforeseen barriers and resistance that we may face. Visit wheelofcontext.com for more information and free downloadable resources.

Emergent Love Model

After more than a decade working with hundreds of couples across 37 countries and 4 practices in Tehran, London, New York City and Palo Alto-California, I diagnose our relationships with “major confusion” syndrome. I offer workshops for the public as well as colleagues to share these valuable and context-informed learnings. My hope is that they could:
1) Compare and contrast between various schools of thought regarding the concept of love.
2) Question the common sense around the concept of love
3) Differentiate between Love-first Model of relationships and Emergent Love Model.
4) Apply the Emergent Love Model in the process of dating or improving their current relationships.
4) Identify and describe foundational elements necessary to create a long-term, sustainable and relationships. Relationships that not only survive but thrive.

Consulting

Private Practice

Peer Consulting

Private Practice

Dr. Sara’s practice and the process of Sex & Relationship Consulting is designed to enable clients to discover insights which they then an use to optimize their relationships, personal or professional. You can book your appointments for a consultation with Dr. Sara individually, as a couple or with a small group of friends. If you have any questions before booking your appointment, please visit the contact page and we will get back to you soon.

Common areas of work

Dating advice: how to find the right match, how to connect to the person you like and how to best express yourself.
Relationship Consultation: moving from arguing to talking, balancing a demanding job and a fulfilling relationship, and managing expectations.
Sexuality Counseling: overcoming relational, emotional and physical issues, communicating what partners want in a non-threatening way, defining what is ‘normal’ and what is not in relationships, pain issues and lack of interest.
Communication advice: creating the most genuine and effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that could help you form and grow your relationships with co-workers, employees and your employer.

Initial Consultation

This is the first face-to-face consultation or virtual session that you individually or together with your partner will have with Dr. Sara. It takes about 120 minutes where you will describe your concern(s) in detail. She will ask you specific questions and at the end of the session, you and Dr. Sara will set realistic goals for the process of your work and decide what path is the best way forward.

Individual and Couples Consultations

Ongoing consultations are scheduled at the beginning of each month. They will be on a weekly basis initially and take 50 minutes each. You can attend the sessions together as a couple or individually, depending on how it suits your program. Dr. Sara and you will review your progress every six sessions. After you achieve your goals, you will arrange for appointments every other weeks and then once a month or every other months. After that, you can book ad hoc sessions as boosters! Your commitment to the process and the homework you are assigned to determines your level of success.

Confidentiality

The content of the sessions will be kept confidential. There are exceptions to this (such as harming yourself or others) which we shall discuss on your first visit. You will be informed before any information discussed with anyone else. If you are a public figure, please inform us in advance so the appropriate measures could be taken to secure your privacy/confidentiality on your arrival and departure.

Disclaimers

Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh is a social psychologist. She is an Accredited Psychosexual Therapist by The College of Sex and Relationship Therapy (COSRT) in the UK and a Certified Sexuality Counselor and Training provider by the American Association for Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). She is not a mental health practitioner and if needed she would make suggestions for your referral to a licensed mental health professional in that field. Dr. Sara practices within the scope of sexuality and relationship consulting, which are not covered by insurances.

Past Clients’ Experiences

“Working with Dr Nasserzadeh was my secret weapon — she was my business (and sometimes personal) Cyrano de Bergerac. As a C level executive working with a largely male senior team and board, Dr Nasserzadeh’s astute insights and communications strategies proved critical in helping me navigate my way through numerous tricky conversations and situations. I am deeply grateful for her wise counsel and feel lucky to have her in my life”.

– Jules K., C level executive of tech startups, formerly at Google. 2016

Clare: “We had been having problems, fighting and arguing. Couple’s therapy wasn’t really working but when we met Sara and she introduced elements of both relationship and sex coaching, I felt we are moving somewhere. We were unlucky the first two times round so having a third counselor who was helpful, non-judgmental, positive with a constructive advice restored my trust.

Sara was a true coach. [She] gave me also inspiration for future once problems were overcome in order to maintain good and healthy relationship ‘in the kitchen and in the bedroom’. It wasn’t always easy, but the end result was worth it. The process did not cure my issues overnight but it helped me be aware of how to see things more calmly and clearly. Now I can say, it was the best thing to happen to us! We learned about each other, we learned about ourselves, and we learned about relationships in general. It was difficult, and frightening at times. We worked through a lot of what was going on for us, and we’re better off for having been in couple’s therapy alone. Now we have a little boy and future does not seems daunting any more. We have some useful tools from Sara”.

Gabriel: “It seemed as though we were spending more time angry with one another than happy together. Looking back, I know now that I was being self-righteous and seeing Clara as the problem. For example, I would focus on how she said things and getting uppity about that. Sara coached past that to listen to what Clara was actually saying and really respond to that, rather than making a knee-jerk response.

Sara helped me to look at my own behavior and understand how I was creating my own rut and then getting stuck in it. Her guidance helped me unlearn some of my worst habits, and really connect with Clara instead. I think going to her saved our relationship. We’re now very happy together and the proud parents of a wonderful son, conceived and born since our time with Sara”

– Clare & Gabriel TK. 2013

Peer Consulting

Advanced Consultation Group for Couples and Sex Therapy

Story behind the group

Since I moved to the Bay area 3 years ago, many colleagues approached me and asked if I could form a group only for advanced sex therapists. Considering the lack of resources and support in Northern California around sex therapy, in 2019, I am planning to start such a group. I will be combining information and skills’ practices through actual practical tools (toys, videos, etc.) as well as experiential work. Self-care will be a fundamental part of our work too. Most recent research in the field will be shared and discussed. At this advanced group, we can really look deeper into ourselves as practitioners as well as what we can offer to a wider range of clients.

Who Can Attend

Specific previous education in the field of human sexuality and clinical experiences are needed to qualify for this group. This is to ensure value for all. If you are interested, but you lack the education or required experiences, then please look into joining me for a cohort of HAT Training to gain systematic training in psychosexual therapy (starting first week of January).

Format and Fees

Registration is needed by December 31st to guarantee your spot. .
3 hours every month except for July and August (overall 10 months for 30 hours): Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May10, June 14- No meetings in July and August-, Sept 13, Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13.
We will meet at my office in Palo Alto (467 Hamilton Avenue).
Light refreshments will be provided
Please dress comfortably as we will move about and might walk to different places as well.
Second Fridays of the month 9-12 pm (Jan11, we will meet from 1 to 4 pm to get us started)
$250 per session for a total of $2500 payable upon registration (other options are available)
I ask that you kindly commit to all 10 sessions to keep the integrity of the group (if you have to miss a session, material from that session will be shared with you and I will make myself available to walk you through them, if needed).
BBS and AASECT CEs are provided

Format of each session will be:

Checking in
Experiential
Topic of the Day (decided by the group the session before)
Case Studies (at least 2 deep dives). If the group has no cases to present, I will bring 2 cases to each session to be discussed and analyzed
Cultural, religious, bio-psycho aspects will be discussed in depth.
Self-Care practice
Bonus: site visit, guest speakers, updates in the field

There will be one group per 8 participants to ensure quality of the sessions.

Commonly Asked Questions

Testimonials

“ I have been a couple counselor for 11 years before I started seeing an increase of presenting sexual problems at my practice. I am glad I reached out to Sara especially in cases that I thought I could not do much more. Sara is authentic, creative in her approach and her knowledge of various aspects of sexual issues is second to none. I am really glad I met her!” Kim Wallace, PhD Couple Therapist

“ I attended Sara’s group supervisions online. This group is a rich resource for me. Where I practice there are not many people who deal with sexual issues. I can come into the group with anything really. From self reflection and doubts to issues with patient management. Her approach is truly holistic and our group is like my professional family now.” Nahid Farahi, MD Psychiatrist

“Being supervised by Sara is a unique experience all around. My supervision and training with her through her HAT program provided me an opportunity to grow and learn new skills as a beginner therapist. Sara has the ability to inspire and challenge you while making you feel comfortable and connected in both one-on-one and group settings. She awakens a passion in you. Sara’s knowledge and wisdom come from her world travels and involvement, not just what goes on in the therapy room. Learning about diversity, especially when the topic is sexuality, is invaluable to the practice of therapy. I have learned so much about being a professional from Sara as well. She is caring and supportive throughout the process and this models how to be with clients. I am so glad that I invested in myself and my clients by taking the training with Sara.” Lynn Kufner M.Ed., Ed.S.

Institutional Support

World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) has devised the International Guidelines for the Standard Practices in various disciplines in the field of Human Sexuality. One of Dr. Sara’s responsibilities as an Executive Officer at WAS and an elected member of these committees has been to help colleagues within various regions and countries to implement successful sexuality education programs for their institutions, communities and at the national level. You can contact her to arrange for consultation if your organization, NGO, university or association is in need of help to evaluate programs or implement standards of practice in place.

WAS standards of professions for the Sexuality and Relationship Education and Promotion could be viewed here and the guidelines for the Sex and Relationship Counselors and Psychotherapists could be accessed here.

Student Supervision

Over the years, I have worked with talented students from across the world as an external supervisor for their thesis and dissertations.

The topics ranged within the realm of social psychology, social marginalization (or exclusion), socio-cultural issues, sexual health and relationship education, clinical services and therapeutic approaches.

I have supervised or been an external examiner for students from Sydney University, New York University, Tehran University, University of Cambridge, University of Lyon, Columbia University graduate school of Journalism and so on.

Topics included:

The role of sexual communication in couple’s overall relationship satisfaction
Economics of sex
Disability and sexuality
Immigrants attitudes towards sexuality
Effective sexual health curriculum for schools
Influencing factors on gender identity of young men
Sexual development in the context of culture
Influence of cultural values on sexual development of young men and women
The use of systems approach in assessment and diagnosis of sexual dysfunctions within a couple’s dynamic

If you are a doctoral student and would like me to be your external supervisor/advisor, I could review your research proposal and if the topic was within the area of my expertise, you would be asked to formalize this relationship through your university and then your supervision meetings with me typically in the format of Skype sessions on a monthly basis could begin.

Training

SAR with Dr. Sara

Training

Dr. Sara provides a range of services to professionals and practitioners whose work directly or indirectly involves dating individuals, couples, psychosexual issues, cross-cultural and complex relationships.

For healthcare providers and mental health practitioners interested in the assessment and treatment of psychosexual issues for individuals and couples, she has developed a unique program that holistically addresses different dimensions of assessments, diagnosis and treatment of such problems. This program is called Holistic Assessments & Therapies (HAT) for psychosexual issues and it is offered over 1 year through in person meetings and online support groups. Read more and register for 2019 below.

Holistic Assessment and Therapies Model (H.A.T.)

Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment/Management of Sexual Dysfunctions

In response to the demands from colleagues, I started offering the H.A.T. training, Holistic Assessments and Therapies model for the Assessment, Diagnosis, Management and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunctions, since arriving in California two years ago (prior to that in New York and London).

The training is called H.A.T. to represent various hats that we wear when facing clients presenting with any sexual issues.

My goal is to start something similar to the great training I received in England and the Manhattan Sex Therapy Group that we formed 10 years ago in New York City. A community of highly skilled and trained professionals who continue to grow together. I would also like to make this growth as systematic as possible.

Many professionals in the field receive ad hoc training on various topics related to sexuality. Furthermore, couples therapy and psychosexual therapy seem to be one field in Northern America yet many colleagues who studied marriage and family therapy state that their training in sexual function and dysfunctions were limited.

While professionals may feel very knowledgeable, they may not be sure how much they know or how much they don’t. This gap becomes only apparent when they are faced with a new client or a new presenting problem that involves sexuality. This training is designed for professionals to acquire skills to practice with confidence.

The HAT training provides valuable additions to professional’s current knowledge and skill sets. Upon Completion of the training practitioners can:

Assess, and diagnose sexual dysfunctions by using a holistic approach that includes: bio-psycho-social dimensions of the presenting problem as well as other perspectives: such as culture, family dynamics and discourse analysis
Design and suggest holistic treatment plans and therapies utilizing the data that is: collected through the HAT assessment process. This will include learning of how to take holistic history, assign practical and case-specific homework for success, review feedback with client/s and make appropriate referrals to other professionals who can complement their treatment plans.
Apply practical framework discussed during the sessions and utilize them in various settings with clients from various cultural, educational and religious backgrounds.
Critically analyze their developmental needs in this area and identify opportunities for co-therapies, referrals, receiving supervision and continuing education.

H.A.T. training is approved for 20 hours of CEs for BBS, Social Workers and 30 hours CE from AASECT
Starting in January 2019, it will run for 10 months, First Friday of each month in Palo Alto: January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7-no sessions in July and Aug-,Sept 6,October 4,November 1, December 6.
Each session runs for 2 hours (didactic, experiential and case studies)
The Timing will be 9-11 pm.
Guest educators will be joining us for some modules
Fee: $1700 (an additional $50 for CEs will apply).
Payments will be received in full upon registration. If you prefer other arrangements please let me know.

As the next step, please contact us to schedule a phone conversation so we could learn more about your clinical and personal needs that could be fulfilled through this training.

All the educational material, practice templates to use at your practices plus a handbook is included in the price of the course.

If you are an intern psychologist or associate and would like to attend HAT, please check the right box on the registration form so we could arrange an interview for you. This is to ensure that the material could be helpful t you at this stage of your career.

Who can attend?

Due to the experimental nature of the training, attendance in person twice a year is mandatory. The rest of the modules, content and consulting supports are offered via phone and online platforms so you can study at your own pace.

Clinical and Counseling
Psychologists
Marriage and Family Therapists
Clinical Social Workers
Professional Clinical Counselors
Educational Psychologists
Mental Health Counselors
Others: Physical Therapists and Nurses who joined our groups before

What will happen after becoming HAT certified?

By the end of the training (end of 2019), individuals who meet the requirements of attendance will be HAT certified. This will automatically make them eligible to join the global HAT community. This program also meets partial requirements to become AASECT certified. You will have access to all resources, practice material (which you can download and use in your offices), interviews and so on.

Registration form

Interested? Contact us for more information.

SAR with Dr. Sara

Sexual Attitude Reassessment

5 Senses and Beyond: Assumptions, Perceptions and Expectations

Discover insights & optimize relationships through this unique SAR experience.

What is SAR?

SAR is a process-oriented, structured group experience to promote participants’ awareness of their attitudes and values related to sexuality, and to assist them in understanding how these attitudes and values affect them professionally and personally. SAR is an in-depth exploration of one’s values, beliefs and attitudes and includes experiential, audio-visual, panel experiences. This SAR is unique in that it focuses on our five senses and brings rich elements of various cultural contexts.

Who can attend?

Professionals working in the field of human sexuality,
Graduate students with an interest in sexuality and related subjects, and
Anyone who would like to explore their values, beliefs and attitudes.

To book for SAR in New York (March 2019) or invite Dr. Sara to host a SAR for your group or organization please contact us.