Work with me
Learn to deliver personalized, evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder with BPD Compass.
Developed from more than a decade of research on personality and mental health, BPD Compass gives therapists a practical framework for identifying and targeting the specific personality patterns driving each client's symptoms.
BPD Compass Training for Therapists
Explore BPD Compass Training
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On Demand Training
New to BPD Compass? Start with an introductory workshop you can watch anytime.
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Live Workhops
Attend an upcoming live BPD Compass training workshop (including Q&A) for clinicians.
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Certification
Develop deeper competency in the full BPD Compass treatment.
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Clinical Consultation
Get support applying BPD Compass or personality-based treatment in your clinical work.
What is BPD Compass?
BPD Compass is a short-term, personalized treatment for borderline personality disorder that targets the personality traits driving each client's symptoms. Rather than requiring every client to complete the same treatment components, therapists use assessment to identify which patterns should become the focus of treatment.
The treatment is also available in The BPD Compass Workbook, a step-by-step guide that therapists can use alongside clients or individuals can work through independently.
BPD Compass was developed and tested through federally funded clinical research examining whether a shorter, personalized approach can effectively treat BPD and commonly co-occurring conditions. Explore the science behind BPD Compass →
START HERE
The BPD Compass
On-Demand Webinar
New to BPD Compass? This two-hour workshop is the easiest way to get started.
In this on-demand training, I introduce the BPD Compass approach to treating borderline personality disorder and show you how personality can provide a practical roadmap for deciding what to target in treatment.
You'll learn how BPD Compass organizes treatment around three core personality dimensions—negative affectivity, disinhibition, and antagonism—and how this personalized approach can help you address BPD symptoms alongside common concerns like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eating disorders.
Originally presented as a live workshop for mental health professionals, the recording is now available to watch whenever it works for you.
120 minutes · On demand · $15
BPD Compass Certification & Continuing Education
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Therapist Certification
For Individual or Small Group
Ready to move from learning BPD Compass to using it confidently in your clinical practice? Therapist Certification provides individualized training, consultation, and feedback as you apply BPD Compass with your own clients.
Weekly video consultation with BPD Compass developer Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
Personalized feedback and guidance as you apply the treatment to your own cases
Support translating the BPD Compass framework into effective, individualized treatment
Upon successful completion, you’ll be recognized as a Certified BPD Compass Provider and featured in our provider directory, making it easier for clients and colleagues to find clinicians trained to deliver BPD Compass.
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Trainer Certification
For Individual or Small Group
Want to build BPD Compass expertise within your organization? Trainer Certification prepares experienced clinicians to support other therapists in delivering BPD Compass with fidelity and competence.
Weekly video consultation with BPD Compass developer Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala
Personalized guidance on implementing and supervising BPD Compass
Expert review of audio-recorded sessions across a course of BPD Compass treatment to assess adherence and competence
Support establishing therapist fidelity for clinical, training, or research settings
Upon successful completion, you’ll be recognized as a Certified BPD Compass Trainer, qualified to support clinicians within your organization in delivering BPD Compass in clinical practice.
Clinical Consultation
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Targeted support for BPD Compass and the Unified Protocol
Targeted support for BPD Compass and the Unified Protocol
Have a specific clinical or research question you’d like expert input on? À la carte consultation is designed for those moments when you want focused guidance without committing to a full certification program.
Meet one-on-one with Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala, developer of BPD Compass and co-developer of the Unified Protocol, to troubleshoot a challenging case, work through treatment sticking points, plan a research or implementation project, or deepen your understanding of these evidence-based approaches.
Book a single session when you need it, or schedule several as questions arise.
Upcoming BPD Compass Workshops
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BPD Compass
Sept 7-9, Time TBD | In person
Join Dr. Sauer-Zavala in Switzerland at the 8th International Congress for Borderline Personality Disorder. She’ll be presenting an introductory workshop on BPD Compass. Walk away with proven tools to apply personality focused treatment with your clients
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BPD Compass
Nov. 12-15, Time TBD
Join Dr. Sauer-Zavala for an introduction to BPD Compass presented at the 60th annual convention for the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Learn the theory, research, and practical tools associated with this efficient approach.
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![Nighttime view of Louisville's skyline with illuminated buildings and a bridge over the river, with the text 'Live from Louisville' at the bottom.]()
BPD Compass
Nov. 8, Time TBD | In person
Join Dr. Sauer-Zavala for a 3-hour workshop on BPD Compass - our modular treatment for borderline personality disorder developed & tested right here in Kentucky. Walk away with proven tools to use with complex clients with BPD and co-occurring conditions.
“I did not consider myself a "personality person" going into the training, but that shifted when I heard Dr. Sauer-Zavala's explanation and application of personality factors to target multiple symptoms shared across diagnoses that commonly co-occur with BPD.”
— L.G, Workshop Attendee
Looking for support with the Unified Protocol
I also offer training and consultation in the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP).
What People Are Saying
The BPD Compass workshop was very informative, interesting, and useful. Has good clinical application for treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. Shannon provided up to date information and taught the workshop very well.
— David M., Workshop AttendeeI was thoroughly impressed with and strongly recommend attending one of Dr. Shannon Sauer-Zavala's webinars! Dr. Sauer-Zavala's webinar was well presented, providing attendees with comprehensive information on BPD, personality traits (and their link to HiTOP), and the BPD Compass intervention, all while balancing accessibility, such that attendees of diverse clinical backgrounds could easily follow.
— Luis G., Workshop Attendee
This was one of the better webinars I have attended and I am really appreciative of the way this information felt familiar AND newly organized. It really seems to be helping me target some areas of concern that I was struggling with in a way that did not create additional burden on me as a student. Thank you so much!
— Workshop Attendee
The webinar with Shannon was excellent! I learned a lot, she is very clear in her explanations. I loved it!
— Milagros C., Workshop Attendee
My experience has been most enriching. Consultations with Shannon Sauer-Zavala were enormously helpful. Her insights and knowledge exceeded my expectations, week in and week out. It would not be an overstatement to say that her input has been transformational for me professionally.
— Joan A., Unified Protocol Certification Client
Shannon's explanations and examples were incredibly clear and informative! Throughout the workshop I felt that I was able to keep track with her and understand each piece of the background and treatment process. You can tell that she has put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into this treatment and to her clinical work through the ease of understanding in her presentation. I had few questions throughout the webinar as everything felt like it made sense, could be applied to my clinical work, and provided me with a greater understanding of the components of personality that I may not have quite grasped through another avenue of learning. Great workshop that seems like it would help any clinician, regardless of if they work directly with personality pathology or not!
— Workshop AttendeeFast forward to this semester, when I am now working with clients. Your training helped me connect with a client with borderline personality disorder and your workbook is informing my treatment approach. I feel much more equipped and prepared to help my client because of your training and resources. Learning and connection like this will never cease to delight me, and I am thankful for you and what you do.
— Stefphanie G., Workshop Attendee