Schedule and Purpose of This Live Course

Strengthening Marriages in Your Community

Registration: Open now for up to 40 participants

Registrar: Susanne M. Alexander, [email protected]

Course Schedule-Weekly on Sundays, starting October 19, 2025, and ending November 23, 2025

All Zoom sessions are 2 hours long

  • October 19, 2025, Discuss Unit 1, Welcome; Orientation; Honoring Spiritual Assemblies
  • October 26, 2025, Discuss Unit 2, Assembly Role in Supporting Marriages
  • November 2, 2025, Discuss Unit 3, Responding When a Marriage Is in Difficulty
  • November 9, 2025, Discuss Unit 4, Couple Healing and Reconciliation
  • November 16, 2025, Discuss Unit 5, Building Marriage Strength in the Community
  • November 23, 2025, Discussion of Resources; Evaluation of Learning; Plans


Starting Times: 1 p.m. US/Canada Eastern (2 p.m. US/Canada Central; 3 p.m. US/Canada Mountain; 4 p.m. US/Canada Pacific); to find other starting times that match your location, you can use this resource: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html or this one: https://www.worldtimeserver.com/meeting-planner.aspx and use New York City for the US Eastern time zone.

This course draws together members of institutions to study and discuss the content in a live weekly Zoom session. The faculty are marriage professionals who also have experience in Bahá’í administration. The design is to increase knowledge and skills for Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assemblies, their members, or their representatives (such as a Marriage Task Force or other committee) who are responding to requests from married individuals or couples experiencing challenges in their marriages. The intention is that the Spiritual Assembly and its representatives improve their response and that the marriages they are serving have a greater likelihood of improved functioning and unity. (Members of other institutions and community members are also welcome.)

It is also hoped that when skillfulness improves, there is less negative impact from marriages in difficulty on the Assembly itself and on the community that the Assembly serves.

In addition to addressing challenges, this course introduces Assemblies to educational and preventative measures they can take so that individuals and couples are less likely to get into difficulties.

Note: This course is an individual initiative of marriage professionals in service to Spiritual Assemblies in support of an ongoing process of maturation of the institutions. It is not part of an official institutional training program, although the institutions are being kept informed about the course. This is one of many efforts to apply the Bahá’í teachings to the strengthening of marriages.

Course Content

    1. Frequently Asked Questions

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Course Site Use - Instructional Video

    3. Course Schedule, Zoom Link, and Phone Numbers for All Course Sessions

    4. Change Notes for the Course

    5. All Units - Practical Scenarios for Discussion

    6. All Units-ScenariosforDiscussion-2-10-23

    1. Unit 1, Lesson 1: About the Course

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Unit 1, Lesson 2: Guidelines and Principles for Faculty and Participants

    3. Unit 1, Lesson 3: Honoring Spiritual Assemblies

      FREE PREVIEW
    4. Unit 1, Lesson 4: Confidentiality

    5. Unit 1 - Scenarios for Breakout Groups

    1. Unit 2, Lesson 1: Assemblies and the Institution of Marriage

    2. Unit 2-Lesson 1-Quotations-Marriage-10-6-18 (PDF)

    3. Unit 2, Lesson 2: The Power of the Covenant

    4. Unit 2, Lesson 3: Service--Benefits and Balance

    5. Unit 2, Scenarios for Breakout Groups

    1. Unit 3 - Explanation of Year of Waiting Flowcharts

    2. Unit 3-EXAMPLE-Year of Waiting and Divorce Flowchart-US NSA.pdf

    3. Unit3-EXAMPLE-YOWDivorceFlowChart-OttawaCanadaLocalSpiritualAssembly-July282013.pdf

    4. Unit 3, Lesson 1: Building a Foundation of Trust

    5. Unit 3, Lesson 2: Communication Skills

    6. Unit 3, Lesson 3: Meeting with Individuals and Couples

    7. Unit3-Lesson3-ConductingInitialMeetingswithIndividualsandCoupleswithMarriageProblems-5-8-21.pdf

    8. Unit3-LSAReflectionandGuidingQuestions-Meeting-Ind-Couple-12-27-22.pdf

    9. Unit3-TheArtofListeningfromMindfulMatrimony-Copyrighted.pdf

    10. Unit 3-DevelopingtheSkillsofSendingandReceiving-MindfulMatrimony-Switzer.pdf

    11. Unit3-Non-Violent Communication Method.pdf

    12. Unit3-LSAWorkshop-Consultation-1.pdf

    13. Unit3-LSAWorkshop-Consultation-2.pdf

    14. Unit 3 - Scenarios for Breakout Groups

    1. Unit 4, Lesson 1: Providing Encouragement and Hope

    2. Unit 4-Handout for Couples-Encouragement.pdf

    3. Unit 4, Lesson 2: Resources for Accompanying Couples

    4. Unit4-Lesson2-PreservingBahaiMarriagesMemoResearchDept1990.pdf

    5. Unit4-Lesson2-PreservingBahaiMarriages2009.pdf

    6. Unit 4, Lesson 3: Providing Referrals for Help

    7. Unit4-Lesson3-Non-Bahai-Counselors-2-4-21.pdf

    8. Unit 4 - Scenarios for Breakout Groups

    1. Unit 5, Lesson 1: Introduction to Relationship, Marriage, and Family Education

    2. Unit 5, Lesson 2: Potential Actions for Individuals, Couples, and Assemblies

    3. Assemblies Upholding the Laws of the Faith (incl marriage)

    4. Unit 5, Lesson 3: Potential Lines of Action

    5. Relationship-Marriage-FamilyEd-BahaiCommunity-12-6-20.pdf

    6. Unit 5 - Scenarios for Breakout Groups

About this course

  • $80.00
  • 68 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

Ways to Approach This Course

  • You can take this course as an individual member of a Spiritual Assembly or as an appointed individual who is supporting marriages in the community on your own for personal development.

  • Your entire Spiritual Assembly or appointed marriage support team can take this course by individuals registering.

  • If you are unable to afford part or all of the fee, and you wish to request a discount, then please email [email protected].

Appreciations!

“As Spiritual Assemblies are being asked by the Universal House of Justice to 'rise to a new stage in the exercise of their responsibilities as channels of divine guidance...', the St. Johns County Assembly feels blessed to have cultivated a relationship with you. Your dedication to develop and implement an educational program that focuses on empowering couples, Assemblies, and individuals, has transformed our local Assembly. Our study with you has increased our capacity to serve our community. This guidance and education we received is allowing our community to begin the process of shaping new patterns of community life that will promote healthy marriages, strengthen the family, and increase bonds of affection in the greater community. We look forward to working with you in the future.”

Spiritual Assembly of St. Johns County, Florida

“The Course was extremely useful and applicable to my personal service in that I serve on a Counselling Committee in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The quotations, some of which I had never seen before, provided clear insight into many of the challenges that arise during a year of waiting. The course deepened and elevated my appreciation for the fact that a "Baha'i Marriage" is a sacred and divinely ordained eternal institution unlike any other institution in the history of civilization. The quotations provided guidance in what we needed to know and learn. The scenarios gave us practical experience in how to deal with reoccurring and similar situations. The discussions were a bridge to the future in that they inspired many of the participants to engage in supportive activities with the Assemblies in their home communities. Yes, I would highly recommend the course for individuals who serve on those institutions in the communities. I would also highly recommend the course for anybody in a marriage or anyone considering getting in a marriage or anyone considering getting out of a marriage. Thank you very much to all of the faculty who made the course an engaging and rewarding learning experience.”

David Andrews, Member Counselling Committee, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

“The course is a comprehensive and much needed source of information and guidance, especially in this time when relationships are being swept back and forth by a variety of divisive forces. Thanks so much for your gracious hosting and in-depth content. It's a ton of work and we all appreciate it so much.”

Clark Connelly, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Marriage Counseling Committee

“The course offers Local Spiritual Assemblies an excellent opportunity to think about the role of healthy families in the advancement of the Plan and, consequently, the responsibility to help build and maintain these cells of society as points of light that light up and illuminate everyone around them. Grateful for the opportunity.”

Fariba Vahdat, National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil

“This course about marriages in difficulty has offered a wealth of resources, organized in a systematic manner in trying to touch on all essential elements, and grounded in study of the guidance available to us. The exploration also takes into account various research in the field of communication, intimacy, and relationships, thereby offering a scientific input to balance the spiritual approach to very real problems. It was a very useful exercise, one that I recommend for all individuals, couples, and institutions to become familiar with. I hope it becomes available to a greater audience each passing year.”

Hayat Rushdy-Hanna, Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

“I am extremely grateful to Transformation Learning Center for offering this vital course. I was so impressed with the breadth and depth of knowledge and experience of the faculty, and their commitment to this field and course. I highly recommend any member of an LSA or individual called on to help with challenged marriages in a community take this course. It provided so much clarity about essential issues--and also provide a valuable space to talk through approaches to issues that have little clarity. Thank you!”

Ley Schleich, Spiritual Assembly of Anchorage, Alaska, USA

“Nurturing and supporting marriages that are thriving and flourishing are foundational to our community's health and wellbeing. It was helpful to understand the relationship cycle from: family's health and well-being to searching for a mate, to finding a marriage partner, investigating the character of the potential mate, all the requirements for Baha'i marriage, starting marriage, nurturing and growing the marriage, supporting and protecting the marriage and working on challenges. Also, it was helpful to know what could help a marriage that is in crisis and what resources to use when during the lifecycle of a marriage. It is an exciting time in the Baha’i Community to have such deepened and experienced Baha’is who are also trained and knowledgeable professionals collaborating at the Transformation Learning Center who can serve as resources to the Local Spiritual Assemblies.”

Khotan Harmon, Spiritual Assembly of Austin, Texas, USA

“Outstanding programming. All that I hoped for and more. It’s a very special relationship you have helped to create with all the participants. In my mind, I believe you have created a learning community of the highest order, one that can easily be recognized through a number of unique traits and characteristics inherent in its design. I believe that the relationship that participants have with the numerous learning resources available to them (including each other) are functioning as one. Even without mentioning the notion of a learning community to students, the design of the material and the role that the participants play is already encouraging its organic establishment.”

Howie Cummings, Spiritual Assembly of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

“Really, a wonderful effort and evolving resource! So comprehensive, specific, factual, inspirational, and useful! Thank you sincerely for your hard work in giving birth to this. ”

David Trautman, Virgina, USA; Social Worker

“I wanted to share my feedback on how valuable this course has been to me, both from a personal perspective and as a Baha'i community member responsible for Baha'i Family life in Houston. Your organization and the effort each and every one has taken to address the multiple issues that are faced by the community members deserves an Oscar trophy. Marriage and human personal issues are such complex situations. Most LSAs and individuals are not equipped to handle such situations, which are often referred to the LSA when early prevention may have saved a marriage. Sharing these resources with seminar participants, and ultimately with the community is such a blessing. Thank you to the entire faculty members for sharing your insight and experience with the participants. ”

Mack Nosrat, Houston, Texas, Marriage Committee

Faculty/Advising Team

Susanne M. Alexander (Relationship/Marriage Coach), Leslie Asplund (Psychotherapist), Daniel Dashnaw (Marriage and Family Therapist), Marie Gervais (Coach), Dave Grammer (Marriage and Family Therapist), Wendy Hanevold (Psychologist), Karen Tucker Lynch (Family Coach), Riaz Mostaghim (Marriage Therapist), Taravat Ostovar (Psychologist), Ana Maria Pavon Marin (Clinical Counsellor), Shiva Sabet-Kazilas (Marriage and Family Therapist), Lolita Schmalenberg (Social Worker; Psychotherapist), David Trautmann (Social Worker), Kacey Wilson (licensed Clinical Psychologist), and Shiva Yan (Individual, Couple, and Family Therapist)

Karen Tucker Lynch

Coordinator

Hi, I’m Karen Tucker Lynch, your facilitator and companion on this learning journey helping Assemblies support couples with challenged marriages and prevent marriage problems. For many years I have used and honed my skills to serve the Cause of Baha’u’llah. Some of the roles I have performed include: being an Assembly member, secretary, and chairperson; developing course work 'Applying Consultation for Family Unity' for the Portland Assembly’s Office of Marriage and Family; serving as the Project Coordinator for the Northwest Regional Council’s Office of the Secretariat; coordinating the Portland Metro Bahá’í Sunday school; and children’s class teacher in our community and neighborhood. I’m a professional life coach with Dawn of Well-Being (dawnofwellbeing.net). In addition to helping individuals and families achieve their goals, we provide them opportunities to improve the quality of their lives and relationships in their families. Professionally I’m a certified training developer and trainer. I’ve helped people develop new skills, identify creative solutions to problems, enhance family communication, and explore new opportunities. I hold a Masters degree in group and family communication. Over the years, I have integrated the Bahá’í teachings, laws, and principles into my years of service, education, and professional development. I’ve examined how to strengthen family unity through applying the Bahá’í marriage teachings and laws.

Faculty Member

Ana Maria Pavon Marin

Facilitator

Ana Maria Pavon Marin is a seasoned professional in counseling, mediation, and law across Spain and Canada, focusing on multicultural relationships, trauma, and resilience. During over 30 years of dedicated work with immigrants, refugees, and vulnerable populations, Ana Maria has also served and serves on various Bahá’í institutions and is actively engaged in community-building efforts. She holds master's degrees in mediation and counseling psychology, coupled with expertise in human rights law and faculty positions at the University of Valencia. Currently, Ana Maria serves as a senior registered clinical counselor, supervisor, and trainer with non-profit organizations while maintaining a private practice. Her specialties include working with individuals, couples, and families experiencing multicultural issues and trauma. She is active in interfaith dialogue and serves on several boards of non-profits promoting peace, inclusion, and social justice.

Faculty Member

Riaz Mostaghim

Facilitator

Riaz Mostaghim serves as a private family and marriage counsellor in the Ottawa area of Ontario, Canada. He also has extensive experience serving people with special needs and their families and offering personal development/relationship counseling. Some of his experiences include managing a residential facility for people with special needs; serving as an instructor at Thompson Rivers University, in British Columbia, Canada; and directing rehabilitation programs for individuals with brain injuries for the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa. Riaz holds a BA in Psychology from the National University of Iran in Tehran and an MA in Special Education from the University of California, San Francisco. Riaz has been a Bahá’í all his life. He served on Local Spiritual Assemblies in Port Moody, Coldstream, and Kamloops, British Columbia, and in Kanata, Ontario. He has served as a Protection Assistant to an Auxiliary Board Member and on the Counselling Committee of the Bahá’ís of Ottawa, Ontario. Riaz has been actively involved with The Rotary International since 1989, as a member of the club in Kamloops and also now in Kanata. He served on the Board of Directors for the Rotary Home in Ottawa for twelve years. Riaz and his wife Sima have been married for almost 50 years. They have two wonderful sons, and 2 grandchildren.

Instructor(s)

Marie Gervais

Facilitator

Marie Gervais, PhD., is a Certified International ACC Coach, and a Certified Emotional Success Coach. Additionally, she has completed training in Internal Family Systems and Brainspotting moving toward certification. She uses emotional regulation, visualization, body sensation, and breathwork to help clients with workplace distress, career mapping, and removing emotional blocks to work. Marie has been a Bahá’í since 1979, serving as a Local Spiritual Assembly member since that time, and as Assistant to the Auxiliary Board for many years. Additionally, Marie is actively involved in the Institute process, works within a nucleus, and coordinates capacity building for neighborhood core activities, including training children’s class teachers, tutors, and Junior Youth animators. Within the context of marriage transformation, Marie, together with other Assembly-designated representatives, has coached many Bahá’í couples in challenged marriages and offered local and regional marriage workshops for all ages in Alberta, Canada. [email protected] https://www.linkedin.com/in/leaderstraining/ https://shiftworkplace.com

Instructor(s)

Susanne M. Alexander

Relationship and Marriage Educator and Coach; Course Developer and Administrator

Hi, I’m Susanne M. Alexander, your course creator and companion on this learning journey. While I am a Relationship and Marriage Educator and Coach, I’ve also had a lot of experience. I’ve likely walked in your shoes. I’ve been single, dating, engaged, married, divorced, and widowed (currently married). I am a child, stepchild, sibling, step-sibling, parent, step-parent, grandparent, and step-grandparent. All of this has given me a diversity of experience to share! I meet with clients globally via the Internet for relationship preparation and navigating, marriage preparation, and couple relationship or marriage strengthening. I coordinate the faculty team and am the lead instructor here at Transformation Learning Center (www.transformationlearningcenter.com). My company is Marriage Transformation®, www.marriagetransformation.com, where I am President and also the author and publisher of numerous books. Books authored or coauthored include Couple Vitality, Creating Excellent Relationships, All-in-One Marriage Prep, Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts!, and Re-Vitalizing Our Marriage. I am certified by Prepare-Enrich to offer a research-based assessment to couples at any stage and accompany them through learning about themselves and their readiness for the next stage in their relationship (www.prepare-enrich.com) I'm also certified to offer the Character Foundations Assessment and have Completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. I'm a member of the National Alliance for Relationship and Marriage Education. Media and Writing Experience: Quoted as an expert in Upjourney.com, HerCampus.com, eHow.com, Washington Woman, Ladies Home Journal, Inc., and more. I'm also a journalist with a background in freelancing for Newsweek, SimpleMarriage, and many others. I have been creating and offering online relationship and marriage courses for over 10 years.