PERSONALITY COMPASS

Traits You Need for the Life You Want

Helping people break out of their personality type boxes & intentionally cultivate traits that will bring them closer to their values/goals. 

PERSONALITY COMPASS

Traits You Need for the Life You Want

Helping people break out of their personality type boxes & intentionally cultivate traits that will bring them closer to their values/goals.

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala

Shannon Sauer-Zavala, PhD AuthorSpeakerScientific ResearcherLicensed Psychologist

Whether you’re looking for therapy for anxiety, depression, or borderline personality disorder (BPD); continuing education for therapists in the Unified Protocol or BPD Compass; or a dynamic keynote speaker on intentional personality change—Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala offers expert support grounded in science. Based in Kentucky and serving clients across PSYPACT states, Dr. Sauer-Zavala helps individuals and professionals alike align with their values, improve mental health, and build the traits they need to thrive.
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Therapy & Coaching

Individual Support

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Therapist Training

Therapist Training

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Inspiring Keynotes & Workshops

Inspiring Keynotes & Workshops

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PERSONALITY COMPASS

Meet Shannon

Dr. Sauer-Zavala is Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience providing award-winning cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for people struggling with anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder (BPD). She is based in Lexington, Kentucky and offers therapy to clients in PSYPACT-participating states via Telehealth.

She is also an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky (UK) where she leads research on how personality traits impact emotional well-being. he is the co-developer of the Unified Protocol and the creator of BPD Compass (Cognitive-Behavioral Modules for Personality Symptoms), a short-term, customizable treatment that targets the root traits underlying common mental health conditions.

As Founder and Director of Compass Mental Health Training & Consulting, Dr. Sauer-Zavala has trained thousands of therapists worldwide in transdiagnostic, trait-focused approaches to mental health treatment. She has led continuing education workshops and trainings in countries including Ireland, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Hong Kong, Japan, Brazil, and across the U.S.

A dynamic speaker, Dr. Sauer-Zavala is also available for keynotes, corporate workshops, and community events. Her signature message: your personality is not set in stone. 

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Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
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PERSONALITY COMPASS

What We Do

  • for Meeting Planners
  • for Individual Support
  • for Mental Health Providers

for Meeting Planners and Event Organizers

Keynotes & Workshops

Helping people break out of their personality type boxes & intentionally cultivate traits that will bring them closer to their values/goals

for Individuals Seeking One-on-One Support

Work with Dr. Sauer-Zavala

Personality Coaching & Psychological Treatment

for Mental Health Providers & Organizations

Expert Training in COMPASS

Personality-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • for Meeting Planners
  • for Individual Support
  • for Mental Health Providers

for Meeting Planners and Event Organizers

Keynotes & Workshops

Helping people break out of their personality type boxes & intentionally cultivate traits that will bring them closer to their values/goals

for Individuals Seeking One-on-One Support

Work with Dr. Sauer-Zavala

Personality Coaching & Psychological Treatment

for Mental Health Providers & Organizations

Expert Training in COMPASS

Personality-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Individual support

Individual Support Icon

Self-help Resources

Everyone deserves access to the resources to become their best selves. Shannon is proud to free CBT worksheets and mindfulness meditation audios to help people meet their goals.
Therapist Training Icon

Personality Coaching

What if, instead of getting stuck in a "personality" type box, you imagined the life of your dreams and intentionally cultivated the the traits that will help get you there. Shannon can help set meaningful changes in motion.
Inspiring Workshops Icon

Psychological Treatment

Dr. Sauer-Zavala is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience working with people with anxiety, depression, & borderline personality disorder. She is able to provide Teletherapy in 42 US states.
For Mental Health Providers & Organizations

Clinician Training

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Workshops

Check out our Workshop Calendar for upcoming continuing education webinars. Dr. Sauer-Zavala also offers customs workshops of various lengths (one-day, two-day, three-day) and formats (in person, zoom) by request.
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Certification Programs

Become certified as a Unified Protocol or BPD Compass practitioner or trainer. These programs involve weekly, remote consultation (with optional tape review), following a course of treatment with one client.
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Program Implementation

Interested in rolling out efficient, personality focused treatment at your site? Dr. Sauer-Zavala can provide consultation on adapting Compass to fit your organization's needs
Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala delivers engaging keynotes and workshops on intentional personality change, helping audiences understand how to build the traits they need to reach their goals—backed by cutting-edge psychological science.
FOR MEETING PLANNERS & EVENT PLANNERS

Keynotes & Workshops

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala delivers engaging keynotes and workshops on intentional personality change, helping audiences understand how to build the traits they need to reach their goals—backed by cutting-edge psychological science.

Watch my TEDx: The Power of Personality Change

"I speak about the how we are in the driver's seat when it comes to developing the traits we need to thrive in the lives we want"

Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
PERSONALITY COMPASS

What people are saying

    "I enjoyed the real-life applications from the speaker’s own clinical experience”

      "Dynamic presenter with unassuming, but well-informed approach”

        "Very articulate – enough energy to sustain a day"

          “Dr. Sauer-Zavala’s enthusiasm for the topic was much appreciated”

            “The best public speaker I’ve seen”

            Learn More about Intentional Personality Change

            Shannon’s Blogs

            Toxic Self-Care Culture

            Originally published on Psychology Today. Face masks won't fix a life built around burnout and misalignment You lit the candle....

            personality coaching
            PERSONALITY COMPASS

            Take Personality Compass Assessment

            Break free from your "Personality Type" and intentionally develop the traits that will move you toward the life you want.

            PERSONALITY COMPASS

            Podcast Appearances

            How Can We Help?

            I’m interested in one-on-one support (therapy/coaching)

            I’m a mental health professional interested in continuing education

            I’m interested in booking Shannon for a speaking engagement

            I’m a journalist interested in interviewing Shannon for an interview?

            I’m reaching out on behalf of a clinic or organization

            Or send me a message (scroll to contact form at the bottom of the page)

            I am interested in better understanding my personality and meeting with Dr. Shannon for 1-2 coaching sessions to help align my traits with my personal and professional goals
            I’m an interested in a course of therapy to address difficulties that are interfering with my quality of life.