Dr. Matthew L. Schwartz, DSW, LCSW, MBA, CFSW (“Dr. Matt”) was born and raised on Long Island, New York. He earned his B.A. in Applied Linguistics in 2008 (concentrating on Sociolinguistics & Hebrew). After his undergraduate career, Matthew emigrated to Israel from New York where he landed as a dual citizen. He spent time in a Hebrew Immersion program (Ulpan) on Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael where he spent half the day studying Hebrew, and the other half milking cows.
Following this, Matthew was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces, where he would earn the Certificate of Excellence from BG. Yoav Har-Even, and would then go on to complete the Non-Commissioned Officer Course for Foreign Relations, as well as the course for Information Security through the Intelligence Corps. Matthew served in the Foreign Relations Branch in a variety of positions, including Head of Office for Lt. Col. Eran Carasso, and later as an NCO Mission Manager in the Overseas Office. Matthew’s final position was as the Instruction NCO for Overseas Training Division’s Battalion Commanders Course. He would complete his service honorably as a Staff Sergeant/NCO serving 37 months in total. During his time in Israel, Matthew lived in several locations, including Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael, Tel Aviv, Kibbutz Zikim, Ashdod, and Jerusalem.
Returning to Long Island, Matthew worked in business (specifically accounting and human resources) while he completed his MBA at the University of Phoenix. Eventually moving to start his own business as a freelancer, Matthew later became a Visiting Scholar at NYU, working with Dr. Natalie Jeremijenko at her XClinic & Environmental Health Clinic where he provided consultation services.
Matthew eventually moved back to Buffalo and began working in Buffalo non-profits and eventually answered his calling by attending the University at Buffalo School of Social Work’s MSW program, graduating with his MSW in 2018, and his Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in 2023.
Matthew worked as an integrated, Financial Social Worker in agency practice in Buffalo, New York from 2018-2022. In 2022, Matthew transitioned to private practice where he specializes in Forensic Social Work, Financial Social Work and Solution Focused Brief Therapy. Dr. Schwartz is the Director of Research for the Center of Financial Social Work. He is also a past Board of Directors member of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Association (SFBTA) and a past chair of their Conference Planning Committee. Additionally, Dr. Schwartz is a past member of SFBTA’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the I.T. Committee.
Dr. Schwartz co-authored the seminal textbook on Financial Social Work: Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice which is a recipient of a 2026 Most Promising New Textbook Award from the Textbook and Academic Authors Association (TAA).
Following the October 7th attacks on the Nova Festival, Dr. Schwartz began volunteering with Keep Olim’s Tikvah Mental Health Program, providing free Telehealth trauma counseling to those affected by the events of October 7th. In 2026 Dr. Schwartz moved his family and his practice to Rehovot, Israel, where he continues his work, providing Telehealth services to patients in New York, and Florida. In his free time, he enjoys the company of his cat, the sounds of bebop jazz, and a good cup of espresso.