My Why: Deni Smith

Deni was born in Charlottesville, VA to her mom and dad after they married upon her father’s return from the Vietnam War.  They moved soon after his graduation from the University of Virginia to Richmond, VA where she has lived most of her life. She is the oldest of three sisters.  She is married with three children, two boys 21 and 20 and one 10 year old girl.  Her family is rounded out by their yellow lab, Cooper.

Deni is a double graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a masters degree in social work.  She graduated with her MSW in 1998.  She is  a licensed clinical social worker and has spent her career working with our most vulnerable populations.  She has worked in the field of foster care, HIV medical case management, homeless services, corrections, private practice and now as the Clinical Director of Warriors Heart VA.  She worked for many years running the mental health programming for two local jails.  In addition to clinically supporting the inmate population, she worked alongside the Sheriff’s Office deputies with one of the job responsibilities being supporting them clinically assisting them in debriefing and processing work related trauma. In addition, throughout her career she has worked with veteran’s and other first responders who have struggled with addiction and mental health concerns.

She enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time.  Spending quality time watching movies together, going to local events and spending weekends at local amusement parks.  She is a roller coaster enthusiast!

My Why:

Work in the field of addiction has been a primary focus for me over my career. I am passionate about the work that I do with clients and strive to provide compassionate trauma informed care.  My passion stems from my own personal story.  Since I was young my mother struggled with addiction most of my life.  She unfortunately succumbed to her addiction by overdose in 2000.  I often say that what she was unable to provide for me while living due to her struggles with drug addiction, she has more than provided to me in the afterlife.  I know she has had a significant hand in guiding me in my career to be of service to others with similar struggles.  I work to honor her memory every day.  I am grateful that I was led to Warriors Heart and that I can be a part of the Warriors Heart family and mission engaging in the very important work of supporting our warriors.