How Therapists Can Talk About Sexuality Without Shame | Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh

What if love isn't the foundation of a great relationship—but the result of one? In this episode of the **Therapy Wisdom Podcast**, Brian Spielmann sits down with Dr. Sara Nasserzadeh, psychologist, psychosexual therapist, couples therapist, author, and educator, for a fascinating conversation about love, sexuality, intimacy, culture, relationships, and what therapists need to understand about the people sitting in front of them. Dr. Sara shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in Iran to creating a BBC radio program that openly discussed sexuality and relationships with Persian-speaking audiences around the world. She explains how her work across cultures shaped her understanding of intimacy and ultimately led to her **Emergent Love Model**. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Why love may be an emergent outcome rather than the starting point of a relationship • Why sexual chemistry isn't necessarily enough for lasting love • How therapists can become more comfortable talking about sexuality • Why avoiding sexuality in therapy means missing a major part of identity • How culture shapes intimacy, relationships, and sexuality • Why therapists need genuine interest—not just curiosity—when discussing sex • How to help clients become more aware of their relationship patterns • Why thriving relationships require more than chemistry • What Dr. Sara learned from working with hundreds of couples • How her research identified the ingredients associated with thriving relationships • Why therapists need to understand their own reactions to sexuality • How feedback and observation can reveal relationship blind spots Dr. Sara also shares stories from her groundbreaking BBC program **The Whispers**, which gave millions of Persian-speaking listeners a place to ask questions about sexuality and relationships that were rarely discussed publicly. For therapists, psychologists, counselors, coaches, and other mental health professionals, this episode offers a culturally sensitive and practical look at **sexuality, intimacy, couples therapy, and the conditions that allow love to thrive.** What do you think: **Does love come first—or is love something we create through the way we relate to each other?** Share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to the **Therapy Wisdom Podcast** for more conversations with leading therapists, clinicians, educators, and mental health experts. #TherapyWisdom #CouplesTherapy #SexTherapy #Psychotherapy #Relationships