Matthew Schreiber is an acting assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and a front-line clinical psychiatrist at the Seattle VA in the outpatient and inpatient consult services. His interest is in psychiatric medications and especially safe and effective prescribing. A primary focus for Dr. Schreiber is education and training of psychiatry residents, and he appreciates the opportunity to develop connections between different disciplines working in mental health care. He teaches on the topic of anxiety disorders for both the fulltime Integrated Care Fellowship and the Community-Based Integrated Care Fellowship.
What do you find most satisfying about working on the Integrated Care Training Program (ICTP)?
I enjoy the amazing fellows, who have brought a huge range of experiences, fantastic different approaches and perspectives to the program. They bring up great points and thought-provoking questions, and I always learn from them whenever I teach.
What are your ideas about new programs and/or new directions ICTP should develop?
I am really interested in psychopharmacology, especially teaching about everyday, practical prescribing–how to make medication use safer and more effective, and I’d love to work more in teaching in this area in integrated care with its unique features and opportunities.
What led you to where you are today professionally?
Before working at the VA, which I love, I spent a lot of time doing research in labs, and I learned I’m much better at working with patients!
What is the best praise or advice you’ve received?
The best advice I have gotten is—be true to yourself and do what you love.
Describe your perfect day outside of work (real or imagined).
Anytime I can take my sons out for ice cream, it’s a perfect day.
What book are you reading and what do you like about it?
What Psychiatry Left Out of the DSM-5 by Edward Shorter—it’s fascinating to learn about the history of mental health and how our perspectives continue to change and evolve, and yes, I do read this stuff for fun!