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Holly Matto

Holly Matto

Associate Professor
Phone: (804) 828-0715
E-mail: hmatto@vcu.edu

Helping a challenging population

“Specifically, my research is in the area of substance abuse assessment and treatment with chronic substance dependent adults. I like the problem area but loved the population itself on the clinical level.

“Working in the area of substance abuse is the epitome of what a social worker does — employing a biopsychosocial perspective to the challenge of living that affects individuals, families and communities.

“I like working with real everyday issues and grappling with societal questions. The heart of the profession is the people it directly and indirectly affects. I feel there’s a certain courage social workers have to have when it comes to tackling the tough issues.”

Education

  • Ph.D. – University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md.
  • M.S.W. – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • B.F.A. – Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

Research interests

  • Intersections among biology, environment and behavior
  • Substance abuse assessment and treatment intervention with chronic substance dependent adults

Courses taught

  • Advanced Social Work Research Methods and Statistics I
  • Research for Planning and Administrative Practice I
  • Research for Planning and Administrative Practice II
  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
  • Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
  • Art Therapy in Social Work Practice

Selected publications

  • Matto, H.C., Strolin-Goltzman, J., & Mogro-Wilson, C. (in press). Dual Processing Treatment Modality: An innovative treatment to decrease physiological craving in substance abusers. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery.

  • Matto, H.C. & Spera, C. (2009). Estimating Person-Environment Transactions on Intention to Change Drug Using Behaviors. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, June/July.

  • Adams, K.B., Matto, H.C., & LeCroy, C. (2009). Limitations of Evidence-Based Practice for Social Work Education: Unpacking the Complexity. Journal of Social Work Education, 45(2).

  • Mogro-Wilson, C., Strolin-Goltzman, J., & Matto, H. (2009). Methodological Issues for University Collaboration with a Rural Latino Community and Substance Abusing Population. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 9 (2),204-214.

  • Matto, H.C., Strolin-Goltzman, J., & Mogro-Wilson, C. (2008). A Pilot Study of a Dual Processing Substance Abuse Treatment Intervention with Adults. Substance Use & Misuse, 43(3), 285-294.

  • Carlson, B.E., Smith, C.A., Matto, H.C., & Eversman, M. (2008). Reunification with children in the context of maternal recovery from drug abuse. Families in Society, 89 (2), 253-263.

  • Strolin-Goltzman, J., Matto, H., & Mogro-Wilson, C. (2007). A comparative analysis of a dual processing substance abuse treatment intervention: Implications for the development of Latino-specific interventions. Hispanic Health Care International, 5(4), 162-168.

  • Matto, H.C., Miller, K.A., & Spera, C. (2007). Examining the Relative Importance of Social Context Referents in Predicting Intention to Change Substance Abuse Behavior Using the EASE. Addictive Behaviors, 32(9), 1826-1834.

  • Matto, H.C. (2007). An Innovative Treatment: Stage I Evaluation of a Dual Processing Treatment Protocol on Self-Regulation Capacities of Chronic Substance Dependent Adults. Best Practices in Mental Health, 3, 41-51.

  • Carlson, B.E., Matto, H.C., Smith, C.A., & Eversman, M. (2006). Reunification Following Drug Abuse Treatment: Recovering the Mother Role. Journal of Drug Issues, 36(4), 877-902.

  • Matto, H.C., Miller, K.A., & Spera, C. (2006). Measuring the Influence of Social Context Referents in Substance Abuse Treatment: An Instrument Validation Study. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 6(3), 13-23.

Professional affiliations

  • Society for Social Work and Research
  • National Association of Social Workers