Randye J. Semple, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC). She has authored over 40 scientific journal articles, book chapters, and other professional publications. Dr. Semple is Consulting Editor for Spirituality in Clinical Practice and serves on the steering committees for Mindful USC and the Center for Mindfulness Science, the University's mindfulness initiatives, and on the research committee of the American Mindfulness Research Association. She is the lead developer of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C), an evidence-based group psychotherapy that is being researched and implemented worldwide. Dr. Semple presents and publishes widely and provides workshops, consulting, invited lectures, and other training opportunities. Her website is https://sites.google.com/site/randyesemplephd. Christopher Willard, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and educational consultant with a specialty in mindfulness. Based in Boston, he speaks on the topic of mindfulness and meditation with young people nationally and internationally, and teaches at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Willard is on the board of directors of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy and is President of the Mindfulness in Education Network. He has been practicing sitting meditation since 1999. He is coauthor of The Mindfulness Matters Program for Children and Adolescents: Strategies, Activities, and Techniques for Therapists and Teachers and coeditor of Teaching Mindfulness Skills to Kids and Teens, among other books. His website is www.drchristopherwillard.com.
Clinicians and teachers are on the lookout for time-tested approaches to introducing mindful awareness practices to children and teens. Drawing on their many years of experience, Semple and Willard address this critical need magnificently. This is the first book to provide a research-based, developmentally appropriate mindfulness program to support recovery, build resilience, and cultivate flourishing in a range of clinical and educational settings. The pathways apply aspects of mindfulness to specific issues, and include instructions for adapting the activities for various contexts and ages. --Patricia A. Jennings, PhD, Curry School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia Instead of a cookie-cutter approach, Semple and Willard give users a tremendous amount of flexibility to design programs for particular groups of children and teens. The authors smartly provide pathways that address different clinical problems (for example, ADHD, depression) with targeted mindfulness practices. Teachers and therapists alike will find the 'Challenges and Tips,' 'Cautions and Contraindications,' and 'Suggested Practice Activities' extremely helpful. This outstanding book is a valuable tool. --Jason Thomas, MS, licensed educational psychologist and mindfulness facilitator, Los Angeles, California A 'must-have' resource for any professional who wants to share the adventure of mindfulness with children. Semple and Willard have developed a comprehensive, step-by-step manual. They provide detailed descriptions of engaging mindfulness exercises and activities, starting with the most basic attending skills and culminating in ways to integrate mindfulness into daily life. With an emphasis on safety, Semple and Willard describe adaptations for diverse populations, complete with recommendations regarding possible contraindications and complications. --Roger S. Nolan, MA, LMFT, mindfulness-based psychotherapist, South Pasadena, California