Bio

Ryan Matlow, Ph.D., is a child clinical psychologist who serves as Director of Community Research Programs for Stanford’s Early Life Stress and Pediatric Anxiety Program. His clinical and research efforts focus on understanding and addressing the impact of stress, adversity, and trauma in children, families, and communities. In particular, Dr. Matlow seeks to apply current scientific knowledge of the neurobiological and developmental impact of stress and trauma in shaping interventions and systems of care. Dr. Matlow is focused on engaging diverse populations and providing evidence-based individual, family, and systems interventions for posttraumatic stress following interpersonal trauma. For example, he provides training to promote dissemination of Cue Centered Therapy (Carrion, 2015), a flexible, manualized intervention addressing childhood experiences of chronic trauma. Dr. Matlow seeks to develop authentic partnerships to inform program development and trauma-sensitive service delivery in community and school settings.

Clinical Focus

  • Psychology

Academic Appointments

  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Administrative Appointments

  • Director of Community Research Programs, Early Life Stress and Pediatric Anxiety Program (2014 - Present)
  • Affiliate, Human Rights in Trauma Mental Health Laboratory (2014 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Implementing Evidence-Based Mental Health Care in East Palo Alto Schools (Co-PI: Flint Espil), Stanford Spectrum Pilot Grant for Population Health Sciences (2017)
  • Maryon Stone Posdoctoral Fellowship, Pritzker Foundation (2013-2014)
  • Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dissertation Fellowship, University of Denver (2011-2012)

Professional Education

  • PhD Training:University of Denver (2013) CO
  • Fellowship:UCSF Graduate Medical Education Ofc (2014) CA
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of California San Francisco Multicultural Clinical Training Program, San Francisco General Hospital Child and Adolescent Services, Clinical Psychology (2014)
  • Internship:UCSF/San Francisco Gen Hosp (2013) CA
  • PhD, University of Denver, Child Clinical Psychology (2013)
  • MA, San Francisco State University, Psychology (Psychological Research) (2008)
  • BS, University of California, San Diego, Cognitive Science (2003)

Community and International Work

  • One East Palo Alto

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • Ravenswood Family Health Center

    Topic

    Integrated Behavioral Health Care

    Location

    Bay Area

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

  • Tipping Point Community

    Topic

    Mental health and wellness program development

    Partnering Organization(s)

    JobTrain, Aspire East Palo Alto Charter School

    Location

    Bay Area

    Ongoing Project

    Yes

    Opportunities for Student Involvement

    No

Contact

  • rmatlow@stanford.edu
    University - Academic staff Department: Psych/Major Laboratories and Clinical & Translational Neurosciences Incubator Position: Clinical Assistant Professor
    • 1520 Page Mill Rd.
    • Mail Code 5265
    • Palo Alto,  California  94305 
  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic 401 Quarry Rd MC 5719 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 723-4655 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 5265

Links

All Publications

  • Reducing Protections for Noncitizen Children - Exacerbating Harm and Trauma. The New England journal of medicine Matlow, R., Reicherter, D. 2018

    View details for PubMedID 30462590

  • Creating lab reports on psychological outcomes of political violence in human rights criminal cases: The Human Rights in Trauma Mental Health Laboratory at Stanford University Cambodia's Hidden Scars: Trauma Psychology and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia Reicherter, D., Reed, D., Williamson, R., Matlow, R. edited by van Schaack, B., Reicherter, D. Documentation Center of Cambodia. 2016; 2: 268–276
  • Addressing trauma and attachment in Latino immigrant youth and their families Matlow, R. B., Romero, M. B. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. 2016 ; StressPoints: A Quarterly eNewsletter of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
  • The Impact of Appraisals and Context on Readiness to Leave a Relationship Following Intimate Partner Abuse VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Matlow, R. B., DePrince, A. P. 2015; 21 (9): 1043-1064

    Abstract

    The current longitudinal study examined the relative impact of symptoms and appraisals as well as contextual and demographic factors on women's subsequent readiness to leave a relationship following intimate partner abuse. An ethnically diverse sample of women (N = 177) completed measures assessing posttrauma appraisals, symptoms, dependence on the perpetrator, and abuse characteristics. One year later, women reported on their readiness to leave the relationship. Regression analyses revealed that readiness to leave was (a) positively predicted by fear appraisals, (b) negatively predicted by shame appraisals, and (c) significantly associated with additional contextual factors (i.e., dependence on the perpetrator, stalking behaviors).

    View details for DOI 10.1177/1077801215590668

    View details for Web of Science ID 000358593900001

  • The Impact of Appraisals and Context on Readiness to Leave a Relationship Following Intimate Partner Abuse. Violence against women Matlow, R. B., DePrince, A. P. 2015; 21 (9): 1043–64

    Abstract

    The current longitudinal study examined the relative impact of symptoms and appraisals as well as contextual and demographic factors on women's subsequent readiness to leave a relationship following intimate partner abuse. An ethnically diverse sample of women (N = 177) completed measures assessing posttrauma appraisals, symptoms, dependence on the perpetrator, and abuse characteristics. One year later, women reported on their readiness to leave the relationship. Regression analyses revealed that readiness to leave was (a) positively predicted by fear appraisals, (b) negatively predicted by shame appraisals, and (c) significantly associated with additional contextual factors (i.e., dependence on the perpetrator, stalking behaviors).

    View details for PubMedID 26077326

  • Tobacco Use and Its Treatment Among Young People in Mental Health Settings: A Qualitative Analysis NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH Prochaska, J. J., Fromont, S. C., Wa, C., Matlow, R., Ramo, D. E., Hall, S. M. 2013; 15 (8): 1427-1435

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Youth with psychiatric disorders are at increased risk of tobacco use. Outpatient mental health settings have received little investigation for delivering tobacco treatment. This study obtained formative data to guide development of a tobacco cessation program for transitional age youth with co-occurring psychiatric disorders with a focus on outpatient mental health settings. METHODS: Applying qualitative methods, we analyzed transcripts from interviews with 14 mental health clients (aged 16-23) and 8 mental health providers. RESULTS: The youth identified internal (nicotine addiction and mood), social, parental, and media influences to their use of tobacco. Providers' viewed youth tobacco use as a normative developmental process, closely tied to management of psychiatric symptoms, supported by parents, and of lower priority relative to youth alcohol and illicit drug use. Youth and providers believed that clinicians can do more to address tobacco use in practice and emphasized nonjudgmental support and nondirective approaches. Top recommended quitting strategies, however, differed notably for the youth (cold turkey, support from friends, physical activity, hobbies) and providers (cessation pharmacotherapy, cessation groups, treatment referrals). CONCLUSIONS: Mental health providers' greater prioritization of other substances and view of youth smoking as developmentally normative and a coping strategy for psychopathology are likely contributing to the general lack of attention to tobacco use currently. Integrating care within mental health settings would serve to reach youth in an arena where clinical rapport is already established, and study findings suggest receptivity for system improvements. Of consideration, however, is the apparent disconnect between provider and youth recommended strategies for supporting cessation.

    View details for DOI 10.1093/ntr/nts343

    View details for Web of Science ID 000322093700012

    View details for PubMedID 23322765

  • The Influence of Victimization History on PTSD Symptom Expression in Women Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA-THEORY RESEARCH PRACTICE AND POLICY Matlow, R. B., DePrince, A. P. 2013; 5 (3): 241-250

    View details for DOI 10.1037/a0027655

    View details for Web of Science ID 000319307800007