Award Winning Psychologist, Personality Scientist & Author; Founder, Personality Compass
Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala Biography
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.
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Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala Speaking Topics
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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
Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala Videos
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
Speaking fees for Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala speak about?
Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Innovation, Mental Health, Professors, Psychology, Research & Exploration, Science, Social Sciences, TED -
Where does Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala travel from?
Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala generally travels from Lexington, KY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent. -
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AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala for your next private or corporate function. -
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Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Be Who You Want: Using Personality Science to Build the Traits for Success. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala for your event is available upon request. Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala generally travels from Lexington, KY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Judson Brewer, Wendy Suzuki, Kim Gorgens, Lisa Kaltenegger and Jayshree Seth. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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