Meet The Team
At Smiles Trauma Recovery, we believe healing is a journey, not a destination, and you are the expert on your own path.
Serving as trail guides, we bring clinical knowledge, evidence-based tools, support, and a steady presence to help you understand the terrain, recognize your strengths, navigate challenges, and find your way forward.
We don’t walk the path for you. We walk alongside you, helping you build the skills and resilience to move from surviving trauma toward healing, growth, and a life that feels authentically your own.
Lisa Smiles MSW, LCSW
As an EMDRIA-trained EMDR therapist and trauma specialist, I’m passionate about helping people heal from experiences that have changed their sense of safety, connection, and ability to fully enjoy life.
My approach combines clinical expertise and evidence-based trauma treatment with something equally important: genuine human connection. I’m known for making complex concepts easy to understand, meeting clients where they are, and creating personalized treatment plans that fit the person, not just the diagnosis.
I see myself as a guide on the healing journey. I won’t tell you where you need to go, but I’ll help you understand the terrain, recognize your strengths, and equip you with the tools you need to navigate the journey and find your own way forward.
I’m also passionate about developing the next generation of social workers and therapists through clinical supervision and mentorship, helping emerging clinicians build confidence, strengthen their skills, and discover their own authentic voice.
Outside of the practice, you’ll find me exploring nature, spending time with family, and keeping up with my energetic therapy dog, Phil.
Mariah Thomas,BSW Intern
Mariah approaches social work with warmth, curiosity, and a deep respect for the complexity of each person’s story. She is currently completing her Bachelor of Social Work and serves as a social work intern at Smiles Trauma Recovery, where she is developing her practice through trauma-informed care, reflection, and hands-on experience.
With prior experience supporting individuals and families navigating complex systems, Mariah brings an understanding of advocacy, resilience, and the ways life circumstances can shape well-being. She is drawn to work that looks beyond immediate concerns to understand the whole person, including their experiences, strengths, relationships, challenges, and goals.
Working alongside Lisa, Mariah is expanding her understanding of trauma and healing while learning how evidence-based, compassionate care can support meaningful change. She strives to create a space where people feel heard, respected, and understood as she continues growing into the social worker she is becoming.
Riah, Medical Administrator
Riah is often the first voice you’ll hear and an important part of your experience with our practice. As our medical administrator, she manages scheduling, insurance questions, billing, records, and referral coordination with warmth, discretion, and attention to detail.
Riah also serves as a point of contact for attorneys, physicians, case managers, rehabilitation teams, and other healthcare professionals. She helps coordinate communication with treating providers and supports the administrative processes that connect clinical care with the broader needs of recovery.
With a trauma-informed approach to every interaction, Riah understands the importance of handling sensitive information and complex circumstances with care. She helps ensure that documentation and communication are managed with clinical integrity, professionalism, and discretion, including when records may support understanding of psychological impact, treatment needs, and functional impact within appropriate legal contexts.
Whether you are seeking care, coordinating a referral, or navigating the documentation needs of a claim, Riah is committed to making the process as clear, respectful, and supportive as possible.
Dr. Phil, Therapy Dog
As our therapy dog, Phil has a special talent for sensing when emotions are high. When clients appreciate a little extra support, he’s happy to come close, offer his quiet companionship, and remind us that sometimes the best thing we can do is simply pause and breathe.
Phil takes his job seriously, but he also believes in a healthy work-life balance. Outside of the practice, you’ll find him enjoying naps, paddle boarding, and exploring the great outdoors. He especially loves hiking, camping, and adventures through the Arizona backcountry.
Whether he’s offering a comforting presence or enjoying a well-earned nap, Phil brings a little more warmth, joy, and connection to the practice. 🐾
People first.
Remember how to be human
You'll find more than clinical expertise here. You'll find an authentic relationship, real conversations, and a place where you feel seen, understood and supported.