Dr. Patricia Ann George
A USC psychology professor with two doctorates, Dr. George turns the research on happiness into practices people actually use, at work and at home. Her happiness course became one of USC's most popular classes. Now she brings it to organizations.
About
Patricia Ann George holds two doctorates from the University of Southern California, in Clinical Psychology and in Brain and Cognitive Sciences. Her research examined cognitive reserve in Alzheimer's disease, category learning in neurodegenerative disease, and how the two halves of the brain communicate. She knows how happiness is measured because measurement is her training.
At USC she teaches Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Marriage and Family, and the course she created: the Science of Happiness. It is discussion based, students practice the research each week, and it quickly became one of the most popular classes on campus.
Off campus, she is a sought-after speaker for corporations, schools, parents, youth athletic groups and women's organizations. She has practical, first-hand experience overcoming adversity, and it shows up in every talk. Audiences leave with specific things to do, not just things to think about.
The science
Research on wellbeing points to three sources. Two of them are largely out of our hands. The third is not, and it is bigger than most people assume.
Figures are approximate and reflect the positive psychology literature Dr. George teaches from.
We should feel empowered to take control of our own happiness. By regular practices that focus on positivity, we can consistently improve our mood.
Dr. Patricia George, USC Dornsife Magazine
How every talk is built
Work with Trish
Research-backed, tailored to the room, and practical from the first minute. Signature talks:
Certify your people leaders and wellbeing champions to teach the practices themselves. Dr. George delivers the content, the facilitation method and the materials, so the program lives inside your culture rather than depending on an outside presenter.
Dr. George's 30-Week Happiness Challenge turns the research into one short practice a week: strengths, gratitude, presence, play, connection, awe, sleep and more. For organizations it is delivered on a learning platform with wellbeing metrics, built and hosted in partnership with Montivo Group, and can be extended to a full year. Optional book club with discussion guides extends the learning.
Watch
Speaking and audiences
Dr. George has spoken to corporations, universities and schools, parent and youth athletic groups, women's organizations, physicians and attorneys, on the same research she teaches at USC.
Leadership offsites, all-hands, employee resource groups, and wellbeing programs for teams under sustained pressure.
Faculty professional development, student wellbeing, senior seminars, and parent evenings built on the same evidence base she teaches at USC.
Practical sessions for people who spend their days taking care of others, and need something that works for themselves.
What audiences say
Everyone LOVED her presentation and found her discussion on ‘The Science Behind Happiness for Women’ extremely relevant.
Her ability to take detailed, scientific research and explain how to apply it to our lives kept the group engaged.
Her presentations were the most well-received professional development events that I have hosted.
Get in touch
Share the event, the group, and what you hope people walk away with. She will reply with a few options for format and timing.