Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh

Creating World Peace | One Relationship at a Time

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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Relationship Panoramic Inventory

Do you feel like you are literate in the language of relationships but not fluent enough with your partner?
Do you feel like you are working on your relationship but haven’t gotten to where you want?
Do you feel like you are satisfied in your relationship but not quite thriving?
Do you want to know your strengths and areas for improvement as a couple?

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Oct 9

Vulnerability can help you feel closer to your partner in most cases. But for some, opening up emotionally is difficult, for a myriad of reasons.

If you're looking to foster more vulnerability in your relationship—and help your partner open up—but don’t know how, check out my post for some helpful tips!

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #vulnerability

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Oct 8

Contrary to popular belief, sexual pleasure can be an autonomous act. If we know ourselves and our bodies, as well as our paths to arousal, we are more likely to experience orgasms and enjoy sex in general.

Instead of waiting passively for our partners to “give” us orgasms, we have a responsibility to ourselves to understand our own sexual nature, in order to access our own pleasure. This includes showing our partners what we like more of, less of, and how.

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #research #sex #sexuality

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Oct 7

According to new research recently published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, young people are having less sex than ever before. For many young people who are exploring their sexuality, and sense of self in a digital age, a sexual partnership can both be both daunting and unappealing.

Interestingly enough, so many young people are looking for friendships to gratify them in ways that a romantic partnership might (without engaging sexually). For many, a healthy friendship can provide the mutual support and connection they might otherwise seek in a romantic partnership.

Does this resonate with you? Let me know in the comments!

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #research #sex #sexuality

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #research #sex #sexuality

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Oct 6

Dating can be expensive. From trips to dinner dates and gifts, pursuing a relationship can be financially onerous.

Here are some common scenarios and dilemmas that I heard about just this past week:

Even if I have the financial means, I don’t want to invest a lot on a date that might not lead to a meaningful relationship.
I want to “spoil” my date partner and show them a good time but don’t want to make them uncomfortable especially if they are not financially in an equal state.
I am disappointed that my date did not insist on grabbing a bite after a walk in the park, I wonder if the person is stingy or thoughtless and cannot think about another person’s needs if they don’t have the same needs.
I am tired of paying for impressive and expensive dinners without any follow-up dates
I really didn’t like the fact that my date assumed I should be paying for our lunch without even offering.

These all could be true at any time really but especially in times of economic uncertainty, be sure to tailor your dating practices. Prioritize budget-friendly activities and look out for free events that feel right for your overall lifestyle. And try and perceive it as an opportunity to connect more intimately with your partner, without the distractions of fancy restaurants and lavish gifts.

In summary, go for more quality time and less impressive experiences (for example, a coffee and a walk rather than a sit-down dinner at an expensive restaurant or a bar).

Does this resonate with you? What other creative ideas do you have for a date that does not require a lot of financial investment?

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #dating #recession

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Oct 5

In order for a relationship to evolve and grow, it’s important to move on from hurtful experiences in the past that left you with emotional bruises or wounds. You can move on with scars (a reminder of the past experiences and what you learned from them) but you cannot be in a thriving relationship with open and bleeding wounds. Minimizing and forgetting what happened is not often realistic because that would lead to stifled anger within.

What I often recommend to couples is this: carve out a specific time and space to go through your wounds together—address the wounds actively, instead of being passive. I recommend that the space is neutral (not your bedroom for example) and the time be limited (maximum 1 hour at a time). Then, take turns sharing your pain and hurt while the other person receives the information with no need to justify, defend, or share their part. Sometimes just knowing that our partner has heard us and witnessed our pain without judgment helps us heal.

Each partner is a changing entity. In young relationships, each partner can undergo serious transformation throughout the entirety of the relationship. Throughout all these transitions, there are ruptures that are not always repaired properly and because of this, some relationships deal with lingering anger or resentment from the past.

In summary here are some tips to help you with healing from past hurtful experiences in your relationship:

Create a specific space and time to communicate with one another
While appreciating that the hurt is there, don’t let it cast a shadow on the everyday joy that you have together
Practice letting go of what you can and do not feel pressured to forgive if you’re not ready
Validate the pain and ask yourself how that feeling is serving you

To learn more, join our community for monthly newsletters, packed with tips, insights, and advice for deepening relationships.

Link in bio or cut and paste this link into your browser: https://www.sara-nasserzadeh.com/join-the-community/

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #past #present #healing #practice

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Oct 4

The summer can sometimes be a bit hard for those that have a difficult relationship with their bodies. That difficulty can often eclipse our contentment or ability to be present and enjoy the moment we’re in.

If you struggle with your body image, check out this post for some affirmations.

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #partnership #advice #tips #emotions #affirmations #selflove #bodyimage #summer

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Oct 3

The Covid-19 lockdowns impacted people in so many different ways. For some, the lockdown was harrowing and lonely, but for others, the time inside provided a respite from daily life. For many, they experienced both feelings.

In looking back at the lockdowns, and this new research from the University of Cambridge, it’s important to recognize why so many people reported feeling better—not worse —when they were trapped at home. Isolation allowed many people to pause from daily life and prioritize their mental health. It was as if they had permission not to push themselves so hard to catch up with the speed that the world expected them to operate at. Instead of feeling lost in the chaos of life, they were able to slow down and reassess.

Let me know in the comments—did lockdown give you a chance to breathe? Name one change you in light of slowing down during the lockdowns.

For me, it was the ability to take better care of my physical health by adding a daily walk into my schedule. I know it sounds very small to many but living in Los Angeles (where we drive almost everywhere) and working on my computer for hours at a time seemed to be very “normal” before the pandemic. Now that I am going for my daily walks, I realize how “abnormal” it was and how critical it is not to go back to that sedentary lifestyle.

Your turn to share:)

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #covid #isolation #wellness

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Oct 2

Long-distance relationships can be hard, no matter what stage the relationship is at. Like any relationship, being content in your coupledom requires effort—for long-distance relationships, this means you just have to get creative!

If you’re in a long-distance relationship and need some creative ideas for connecting with your partner, check out my post!

Save this post & share it with your partner to discuss!

How do you you nurture your long-distance relationship?
#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #therapy #longdistance #love #coupledom

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Oct 1

So many people rush into dating or a relationship without having thought about whether or not they’re ready—emotionally, physically, financially, socially, spiritually, and so on. Dating is often a lot of work that requires time, energy, clarity of mind, vulnerability, and more.

Before you jump into the dating scene or begin a relationship, consider whether or not you’re ready for this new step. The more ready you feel, the more you actually are! In turn, you’ll find greater relationship and dating satisfaction!

#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #help #ready #prepare

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Sep 30

New research from The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships investigated the ways in which relationships can impact our overall well-being, even lessening the impacts of depression.

Sometimes in relationships, couples experience this self-expansion, learning more about the world, people around them, and the views of others. Research suggests that people who experience this type of self-expansion in coupledom actually benefit from alleviated symptoms of depression.

Do you feel self-expansion in your coupledom? If so, drop a heart in the comments.
#relationships #emergentlove #couples #love #partnership #advice #tips #emotions #depression #selfexpansion

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/articles-heterodoxy/202207/how-your-relationship-can-improve-you

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Speaker, Researcher, Author and a Thinking Partner

With expertise in Sexuality, Relationships and Intercultural Fluency

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Sara Nasserzadeh’s Latest Book

Sexuality Education Wheel of Context

A practical framework for educators, advocates, and researchers to maintain a holistic perspective on key contextual factors.

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Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh

Beverly Hills, California

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