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Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala        

Award Winning Psychologist, Personality Scientist & Author; Founder, Personality Compass

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala is an award winning clinical psychologist, speaker, and researcher dedicated to making evidence-based mental health strategies both accessible and actionable. As the founder of Personality Compass and a professor at the University of Kentucky, she bridges the gap between cutting-edge psychological research and real-world transformation. Her work focuses on intentional personality change, burnout recovery, and transdiagnostic approaches to mental health, equipping audiences with practical tools to foster lasting change. Her insights have been featured in Psychology Today, The Conversation, WebMD, Verywell Mind, and CNET, establishing her as a trusted voice in psychology and mental wellness.

An engaging and dynamic speaker, Dr. Sauer-Zavala has delivered a TEDx talk, keynoted at Cambridge University (Cambridge, UK) and International Society for the Study of Personality Disorders (Sydney, AU). She has trained thousands of therapists worldwide in the Unified Protocol and BPD Compass, innovative mental health treatments she developed. Her speaking clients include organizations such as the University of Kentucky Women’s Forum and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, where she has inspired audiences to rethink how personality shapes emotional health and personal growth. With a compelling mix of scientific rigor and relatable storytelling, she captivates audiences ranging from corporate leaders and healthcare professionals to high-achievers seeking meaningful personal development.

Passionate about debunking mental health myths and empowering change, Dr. Sauer-Zavala is the author of the popular treatment manual, the Unified Protocol, and co-author of the academic book "Neuroticism: A New Framework for Emotional Disorders and Their Treatment." Her forthcoming book, BPD Compass, offers a science-backed, practical guide to understanding and transforming the core personality traits associated with borderline personality disorder. Whether discussing the psychology of burnout, the power of personality adaptation, or the future of evidence-based therapy, she leaves audiences with clear, research-driven takeaways they can immediately apply—all delivered with warmth, humor, and insight.

Speech Topics

Be Who You Want: Using Personality Science to Build the Traits for Success

Your personality is set in stone, right? Wrong!

Countless research studies show that traits can and do change over time and that you can facilitate this process by taking intentional action. So, what if instead of telling yourself “I can’t do [insert activity] because I’m not [insert characteristic] enough, you imagined the life of your dreams and purposefully developed the traits that would help get you there.

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, PhD, a clinical psychologist and personality change researcher, uses her own journey from messy and lazy to off the charts in conscientiousness to illustrate the science-based principles of personality change. She will challenge the notion that you’re stuck with the personality you’re born with and empower you to use your dreams to determine the traits you develop.

Audience Take Aways:

  • How to start moving forward even if you don't know exactly where you're headed
  • How self-limiting believes can you keep you stuck in a personality-type box
  • How to embrace the person you want to be by ACTING like the person you want to be
  • How to celebrate strong wins to keep yourself motivated

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