Dr. Philip C. Kendall stands as a preeminent figure in clinical psychology with a distinguished career spanning over four decades at Temple University. He currently holds the esteemed titles of Distinguished University Professor and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology while serving as Director of the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic, which he founded in 1985. After earning his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1977, he established himself as a leading authority in child and adolescent mental health treatment through rigorous scholarship and clinical innovation. His career trajectory from early researcher to one of psychology's most influential figures has been marked by consistent contributions to evidence-based practice and theoretical advancement in the field.
Dr. Kendall's most significant contribution to the field is the development of the Coping Cat program, an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment for childhood anxiety disorders that has fundamentally transformed clinical practice worldwide. This groundbreaking program, along with his other treatment protocols, has been translated into over a dozen languages and implemented across more than fifteen countries, demonstrating exceptional global impact on youth mental healthcare. His prolific scholarly output includes more than 850 publications comprising over 35 books and 20 treatment manuals, earning him an impressive h-index of 159 that places him among the most highly cited researchers in the social and medical sciences. The rigorous methodology and clinical sensitivity evident in his work have established new standards for the assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in youth, influencing generations of clinicians and researchers.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Kendall has profoundly shaped the field through his exceptional mentorship, having directly trained over 150 doctoral students and participated in approximately 200 dissertation committees throughout his career. He has received numerous prestigious honors including the 2025 American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Scientific Applications of Psychology and the American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award for Impact in Psychology, recognizing his transformative influence on the discipline. His leadership extends to professional service as former President of both the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, where he continues to influence policy and practice globally. Dr. Kendall remains actively engaged in advancing computer-assisted mental health services for youth, ensuring his pioneering work continues to address contemporary challenges in children's mental healthcare with the same rigor and innovation that has characterized his entire career.
