Camille Dieterle OTD, OTR/L, DipACLM/DipIBLM, LRC — Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional
Director of the Graduate Certificate Program in Foundations of Lifestyle Redesign®, and Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
CHP 138B
(323) 442-2269
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Camille Dieterle teaches courses to graduate and undergraduate students in the areas Lifestyle Redesign®, an occupational therapy intervention for prevention and better self-management of chronic conditions; health promotion, therapeutic group treatment, community based program development, environmental sustainability and crafts and creativity.
Prior to teaching full time Dr. Dieterle previously was a clinician and Director of the USC OT Faculty Practice where she utilized Lifestyle Redesign® with clients with obesity, chronic pain, behavioral health difficulties and a variety of medical diagnoses and conditions. Dr. Dieterle is a certified diplomate of the International and American Board of Lifestyle Medicine and a certified yoga instructor.
Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
2008 | University of Southern California
Master of Arts (MA)
in Occupational Therapy
2007 | University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
in English
1999 | University of Georgia
Lieb, L. C., Hodson, T., & Dieterle, C. (2024). Human occupation and environmental sustainability. In T. Brown, S. Isbel, L. Gustafsson, S. Gutman, D. Powers Dirette, B. Collins, & T. Barlott (Eds.), Human occupation: Contemporary concepts and lifespan perspectives. London, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003504610 Show abstract
Unsustainable patterns of human occupation have detrimentally affected the natural world, disrupted ecosystems, and placed the long-term health of humanity at risk, making environmental sustainability a topic of paramount importance to occupational therapists. To minimize damage to the natural environment and promote human health, well-being, and justice, occupational therapists should develop knowledge of environmental sustainability and human occupations. This chapter aims to provide readers with a basic understanding of the impact that human occupation has on the environment, the effects of climate change on human occupation, and the ethical dimensions of sustainability. Additionally, this chapter will introduce readers to the application of occupational therapy theory to environmental sustainability concepts, as well as initiate a discussion of environmental sustainability in occupational therapy practice settings, treatment, and education.
Dieterle, C. (2020). The case for environmentally-informed occupational therapy: Clinical and educational applications to promote personal wellness, public health and environmental sustainability. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/14473828.2020.1717055 Show abstract
Research shows that personal and public health are intrinsically intertwined with ecological conditions and that actions that promote environmental sustainability are good prescriptions for health and wellness. I call this awareness and its implications for occupational therapists ‘environmentally-informed occupational therapy’ (EIOT). EIOT is an approach to occupational therapy founded in the growing body of scientific evidence that demonstrates that what is good for the environment is good for human health and well-being. It looks to nature to inform interventions and helps occupational therapists support their clients, students and communities to make lifestyle choices that contribute to their personal health while protecting and ideally enhancing the environment, e.g. while reducing global warming, preserving natural resources, preventing biodiversity loss, and more. Clinical and educational examples of EIOT are described.
Dieterle, C. (2018). Diabetes. In R. DiZazzo-Miller & F. D. Pociask (Eds.), Preparing for the Occupational Therapy National Board exam: 45 days and counting (2nd ed., pp. 399-412). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Full text
Dieterle, C. (2016). Coaching and Lifestyle Redesign: Coaching as an integral part of preventing and managing chronic conditions. In W. Pentland, J. Isaacs-Young, J. Gash, & A. Heinz (Eds.), Enabling positive change: Coaching conversations in occupational therapy (pp. 93-100). Ottawa, ON: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Publishing. Full text
Koritzky, G., Dieterle, C., Rice, C., Jordan, K., & Bechara, A. (2014). Decision-making, sensitivity to reward and attrition in weight management. Obesity, 22(8), 1904-1909. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20770 Show abstract
Objective. Attrition is a common problem in weight management. Understanding the risk factors for attrition should enhance professionals' ability to increase completion rates and improve health outcomes for more individuals. A model that draws upon neuropsychological knowledge on reward-sensitivity in obesity and overeating to predict attrition is proposed.
Methods. A total of 52 participants in a weight-management program completed a complex decision-making task. Decision-making characteristics-including sensitivity to reward-were further estimated using a quantitative model. Impulsivity and risk-taking measures were also administered.
Results. Consistent with the hypothesis that sensitivity to reward predicted attrition, program dropouts had higher sensitivity to reward than completers (P < 0.03). No differences were observed between completers and dropouts in initial BMI, age, employment status, or the number of prior weight-loss attempts (P ≥ 0.07). Completers had a slightly higher education level than dropouts, but its inclusion in the model did not increase predictive power. Impulsivity, delay of gratification, and risk taking did not predict attrition, either.
Conclusions. Findings link attrition in weight management to the neural mechanisms associated with reward-seeking and related influences on decision-making. Individual differences in the magnitude of response elicited by rewards may account for the relative difficulty experienced by dieters in adhering to treatment.
Dieterle, C. M. (2014). Lifestyle redesign programs. In M. E. Scaffa & S. M. Reitz (Eds.), Occupational therapy in community-based practice settings (2nd ed., pp. 377-389). Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis. Full text
ReSPONs Seed Grant for the University Park Peace Garden Project | 2022
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
Growing by design ⟩
April 21, 2023
When designing the USC Peace Garden, student landscape architect Daniela Velazco prioritized people and planting.
Peace garden, narrative research study selected for post-pandemic initiative funding ⟩
February 25, 2022
Innovative community-focused projects are part of USC Chan’s $2.5M ReSPONs Initiative.
Making the case for environmentally-informed occupational therapy ⟩
April 22, 2020
As Earth Day turns 50, Camille Dieterle looks at the future of occupational therapy's approaches to more sustainable living
Embracing the Unknown ⟩
December 5, 2019
Student Ambassador Catherine interviews fellow OTD student Ana Sanchez about her decision to pursue the OTD and her residency at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) bringing Lifestyle Redesign® services to college students.
Reducing Their Carbon Footprint through Cycling ⟩
October 2, 2019
In honor of National Walk and Bike to School Day, Student Ambassador Kaho interviews two USC Chan faculty, Drs. Camille Dieterle and Cheryl Vigen, who regularly bike to the university.
Earth Day Q&A with Camille Dieterle ⟩
April 20, 2018
In recognition of Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, Camille Dieterle — an assistant clinical professor at USC Chan and passionate advocate for all things environmentally friendly and sustainable — spoke with our Student Ambassador Erika about occupational therapy, the environment and…
Sane in the city: 5 tips to manage the pressures of life in the urban jungle ⟩
April 13, 2018
Like every major metropolis, L.A. can be a noisy, overstimulating place — but USC experts suggest some ways to stay mentally and physically fit.
85 Trojans representing at 2013 OTAC conference ⟩
October 22, 2013
85 Trojan alumni and faculty will be presenting at the 2013 Conference of the Occupational Therapy Association of California, Oct. 24-27 at the Sacramento (Calif.) Convention Center. On the evening of Friday Oct. 25, be sure to join your USC Trojan Family at the conference's alumni cocktail mixer.…
128 Trojans Presenting at 2013 AOTA Conference ⟩
April 23, 2013
128 USC alumni, faculty, and students are scheduled to present at the 2013 Conference of the American Occupational Therapy Association, April 25-28 at the San Diego Convention Center. Presentation formats include a pre-conference institute, workshops, short courses, research and professional posters…
Camille Dieterle Takes Center Stage at USC Women’s Conference ⟩
March 11, 2013
By Kim Hasday At the 5th annual USC Women’s Conference assistant professor of clinical occupational therapy Camille Dieterle spoke onstage before hundreds of USC alumnae, parents, students, faculty, staff and friends at historic Bovard Auditorium. The March 7th conference, hosted by the USC Alumni…
USC News: USC Occupational Therapists Redesign Lifestyles ⟩
November 19, 2012
"Most students can use a little lifestyle redesign. Whether they stress out too much or sleep too little, USC’s occupational therapists can bring the balance back to their lives . . ." The full article about USC's Lifestyle Redesign® intervention, which quotes Division faculty clinicians…
46 Trojans Presenting at OTAC 2012 ⟩
October 1, 2012
46 USC faculty, alumni, and students are scheduled to present lectures and/or posters during the Occupational Therapy Association of California 2012 Conference, October 4-7 in Pasadena. Click below to view the full list of USC presenters, to plan your conference accordingly, and remember to reunite…
USC Trojans Shine at 92nd AOTA Conference ⟩
May 1, 2012
Division Associate Dean and current American Occupational Therapy Association President Florence Clark PhD (’82), OTR/L, FAOTA, presided over the 92nd annual AOTA conference, April 26-29, in Indianapolis, Ind. Conference highlights included a rousing Opening Ceremony, Clark's Presidential Address…
Trojans Presenting at OTAC Conference 2011 ⟩
October 11, 2011
The Occupational Therapy Association of California's 35th annual Conference begins this Thursday! Click below for the full list of Trojan alumni, faculty, staff and students who will be there presenting, and remember that the USC Alumni and Student Reception is the evening of Friday, October 14. See…
Squeezing More Activities Into a Busy Day ⟩
March 21, 2011
While many people harbor a secret hope to magically stretch their daily schedules to fit in more exercise, reading or even napping, licensed occupational therapist Camille Dieterle has ideas for making such wishes come true. To read more, go to Squeezing More Activities Into a Busy Day.
Keck Medicine of USC and USC’s health sciences schools make sustainability a priority ⟩
Leigh Hopper, in
USC Today | May 21, 2024
By upcycling ocean plastics, reducing harmful anesthesia gases and transforming medical supply chains, the USC health system and medical research schools hope to curb pollution.
Eco-grief is real — here’s what you can do about it ⟩
Nina Raffio, in
USC Today | September 6, 2023
USC experts including Associate Clinical Professor Camille Dieterle discuss the profound effects of the climate crisis on human health and well-being.
The USC Peace Garden opens gates to the public ⟩
Terence Holton and Alia Noll, in
USC Annenberg Media | September 5, 2023
With the help of USC Sustainability, the USC Peace Garden is hoping to immerse students in nature.
Student muralists spruce up Peace Garden near University Park Campus ⟩
Grayson Schmidt, in
USC Today | November 21, 2022
Just a few blocks northeast of the University Park Campus, a 120-year-old house, once boarded up, now shines with freshly painted murals that bring a little vibrancy to Trojans’ commute with a simple greeting that adorns the mural’s bottom-left corner: “Welcome to the Peace Garden.”
Peace garden brings community greenery ⟩
Erin Walton, in
Daily Trojan | September 29, 2022
University members are working to spruce up a small plot of land near Shrine Auditorium, gathering weekly to garden and host wellness events through the University Park Peace Garden. Camille Dieterle, associate professor of clinical occupational therapy, leads the Garden Project, which is funded by the USC Chan School of Occupational Therapy ReSPONs grant.
Plant care and self care: How students are finding botanical calm amidst college chaos ⟩
Chloe Rose Lewis, Mia Brower, Michael Fiumefreddo, Liza Monasebian, India Otto and Samuel Reno, in
USC Annenberg Media | April 26, 2022
To help navigate the stresses and responsibilities, cultivating house plants can help students feel less overwhelmed. Camille Dieterle weighs in on the environment's impact upon mood and occupations.
Community explores ways to manage climate anxiety ⟩
Bianca Arzán-Montañez, in
Daily Trojan | April 20, 2022
As the university celebrates Earth Week, students, staff and faculty look for ways to deal with climate anxiety. To facilitate productive coping in response, Dr. Camille Dieterle collaborated on a workshop titled "Finding Calm in the Storm: A Workshop on Climate Anxiety and Love for Our Planet."
