Melissa Harbit

Melissa Harbit

Professor of Psychiatry

Additional Titles & Roles


  • Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs
  • Director of Forensic Psychiatry
  • Associate Director, Psychiatry Residency Training Program

Education & Training


  • Fellowship: Forensic Psychiatry: University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY, 2002
  • Residency: Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 2001
  • MD: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1997
  • BS: Psychology: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 1993

Major Awards


  • Best Doctors in America, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2019
  • Excellence in Teaching Award, Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, 2009
  • Chief Resident in Psychiatry, Washington University, 2001
  • Psi Chi, National Psychology Honor Society, 1992
  • The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts Honors Program, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

Areas of Clinical Interest


Forensic Psychiatry
Inpatient Psychiatry
Outpatient Psychiatry

Key Publications


    • Swallow M., Ciccone JR: Legal Digest. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law 30(3): 447-456, 2002.
    • Swallow M., Yutzy, S.H., Dinwiddie, S.H., Forensic Issues. In Rubin, E.H., Zorumski, C.F. (Ed.) Washington University Adult Psychiatry, St. Louis, MO., Blackwell: 420-428, 2005
    • Dinwiddie, S.H., Swallow, M., Yutzy, S.H., Ethical Issues in Psychiatric Practice. In Rubin, E.H., Zorumski, C.F. (Ed.) Washington University Adult Psychiatry, St. Louis, MO., Blackwell: 429-537, 2005.
    • Newman WJ, Harbit MA (2010). Folie a deux and the courts. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 38(3): 369-75.
      Read publication »Folie a deux and the courts.

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