Clinical Leadership

Rev. Desiree Smith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor, Certified Trauma Model Therapist (TMT), author, musician, and ordained Christian minister dedicated to helping individuals heal from trauma through innovative, integrative, and compassionate care.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Capella University and her Master of Social Work from Widener University. She also holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from North Central Theological Seminary.

Desiree is the Founder and Clinical Director of Painted Bird Psychotherapy, a trauma-informed mental health practice grounded in neuroscience, attachment, creativity, and whole-person healing. She is also the Founder and CEO of Hazel Gray Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans, military families, and individuals impacted by trauma through peer support, advocacy, community engagement, and recovery-oriented programming.

Her advanced clinical training includes EMDR (EMDRIA-Trained), Deep Brain Reorienting (Levels 1–3), Martin Warner's Attachment Trauma Interweaves, Flash Technique, Ego State Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Clinical Hypnotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and certification as a Trauma Model Therapist (TMT). She is committed to integrating evidence-based practice with innovative approaches that address the emotional, neurological, relational, and spiritual dimensions of healing.

Desiree is the creator of NEST™ (Nested Ego-State Systems Therapy), an original therapeutic framework and intellectual property of Painted Bird Psychotherapy currently under development for trauma treatment, integration, and personal transformation.

As an author and creative, Desiree explores themes of trauma, resilience, identity, healing, and transformation through both literary and musical expression. She is the author of The Gift of Birden, Red Balloons, and Sonnet de Serpentine, a trilogy often referred to as the Inner Child Series. Through storytelling, symbolism, and creative expression, these works invite readers to explore developmental wounds, self-discovery, healing, and personal growth. Her music similarly reflects themes of restoration, meaning-making, faith, and hope.

Drawing from a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, Desiree develops individualized treatment plans that honor the complexity of each client's story and lived experience. She specializes in the treatment of trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, attachment wounds, anxiety, depression, narcissistic abuse recovery, military and veteran-related concerns, and spiritual integration.

Her therapeutic style blends psychotherapy, EMDR, Deep Brain Reorienting, Trauma Model Therapy, ego-state interventions, inner child healing, clinical hypnotherapy, expressive arts, and faith-integrated counseling to help clients reconnect with their authentic selves and move toward lasting healing and meaningful change.