Randye J. Semple, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC) where she teaches and provides clinical training and supervision to USC psychiatry residents.
Dr. Semple is Principal Investigator and Project Director of the USC Child and Adolescent Collaborative for Trauma-Informed Care, a National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Category III Community Treatment and Service (CTS) Center. The purpose of USC-CACTIC is to increase access to effective trauma treatment and services for children, adolescents, and their families, who have experience traumatic events. The USC-CACTIC is supported by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA award number 1H79SM087898).
She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University and is licensed to practice in New York and California (see Curriculum Vitae).
Dr. Semple is co-author of the books Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Anxious Children and The Mindfulness Matters Program for Children and Adolescents: Strategies, Activities, and Techniques for Therapists and Teachers.
Dr. Semple's work in the area of mindfulness with youth has been at the forefront of increasing international interest in mindfulness-based therapies in mental health care for two decades. The media has followed her work in radio and newspaper interviews. She presents on this topic at local, national, and international professional conferences; in scientific papers and book chapters; and through workshops, invited lectures, and other training opportunities.
Dr. Semple's research and clinical interests are in the application of mindfulness to psychological health and well-being. One current research focus is the development and integration of mindfulness-based interventions for children in clinic and school settings. Research projects have included:
A clinical trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for perinatal women with mood disorders
Collaborative studies with the Pasadena Unified School District and ABC Unified School District to bring The Mindfulness Matters Program to elementary school classrooms
Adaptation and evaluation of MBCT-C for adolescents with bipolar disorder and prodromal psychosis
Development and evaluation of a brief mindfulness-based intervention to reduce PTSD in patients hospitalized with severe burn injuries
A collaborative study with Five Acres School to bring mindfulness to children with behavioral or emotional problems
A collaborative study with Mindful Schools and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Schools District to train K-5 teachers to create mindful classrooms.
Development and validation of an innovative self-report assessment tool: the Mindfulness Inventory for Children and Adolescents.
Additional MBCT-C program information and research support is available at
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare