Matthew Racher, CRPS, MSW, RCSWI is a dedicated mental health clinician with a passion for providing compassionate, community-based care. He holds a Master of Social Work from Barry University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Music Business from the University of Miami. As both a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) and a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI), Matthew brings professional training and lived experience to his clinical work.
Matthew’s experience spans a variety of care settings and populations. Most recently, he has served as a mental health clinician at a substance use treatment center supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. He has also worked with people who inject drugs (PWID) as a Patient Navigator in a hospital-based research study through the UHealth Department of Infectious Diseases, and helped implement a low-barrier medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program that included on-demand tele-harm reduction services—allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to access telemedicine care in the field. His background also includes peer counseling, harm reduction outreach, and mentorship in after-school programs focused on youth and social-emotional development.
Over the years, Matthew has been fortunate to receive recognition from organizations aligned with his values in mental health advocacy and recovery. He was honored by NAMI Florida and the NASW Miami-Dade Unit, receiving the Student Social Worker of the Year Award and recognition for his contributions to recovery education and outreach. He has participated in public education efforts, including QPR Gatekeeper presentations on suicide prevention, and previously served as a Special Government Employee on a drug development review board with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Matthew continues to volunteer with NAMI Miami-Dade in support of community education and engagement.
In both clinical practice and community outreach, Matthew is committed to person-centered, trauma-informed care that emphasizes dignity, cultural responsiveness, and empowerment. He has shared his personal story through platforms such as This Is My Brave and One Mind in Napa Valley, California—helping to reduce stigma through music and storytelling. His work reflects a strong belief in the healing power of community, connection, and creative expression.
Matthew also brings a research-informed perspective to his practice. He has collaborated on NIDA-funded, hospital-based studies focused on PWID and worked alongside international thought leaders on serious mental illness (SMI), contributing to important discussions on the often-overlooked negative symptoms of schizophrenia and psychosis. His insights highlight the value of integrating lived experience into treatment models that promote motivation, engagement, and functional recovery. He remains dedicated to advancing innovative, person-centered frameworks that help individuals pursue long-term recovery and thrive.
I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to help. Let's connect.
