Director of Mental Wellness and Representation

Creating safer spaces for creators and more meaningful stories for audience

What is a Director of Mental Wellness and Representation?

The entertainment industry thrives on powerful stories, but behind the scenes, the creative process can often take a toll on mental wellness, especially for underrepresented talent. As a licensed clinical social worker and cultural consultant, I step in to bridge that gap.

As Director of Mental Wellness and Representation, I design and implement systems that prioritize the psychological safety of cast and crew while supporting authentic, inclusive storytelling. This role exists to ensure creative teams feel supported, empowered, and represented at every stage of production and promotion.

Dr. Mercedes Samudio, LCSW Director of Mental Wellness and Representation
Dr. Mercedes Samudio LCSW Director of Mental Wellness and Representation

Why This Role Matters?

  • Mental Wellness on Set: I help prevent burnout, compassion fatigue, and trauma responses in high-pressure environments.

  • Authentic Representation: I provide consultation on scripts, casting, and press strategies to avoid harmful stereotypes and tokenization.

  • Safer Press Tours: I prepare talent for emotionally complex interviews, especially when discussing personal identity or sensitive topics.

  • Long-Term Impact: My work enhances production culture, protects talent relationships, and builds audience trust.

What I offer:

  • On-set and virtual mental health support for cast and crew

  • Representation consulting for scripts, character arcs, and cultural storylines

  • Crisis support and debriefing for difficult scenes and storylines

  • Training and workshops on trauma-informed leadership and inclusive production practices

  • Support for press tours, fan interactions, and public appearances

Dr. Mercedes Samudio LCSW Director of Mental Wellness and Representation

Media Appearances

Dr. Mercedes Samudio, LCSW, has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, NPR’s KQED Forum, Studio 1A, and The Kojo Nnamdi Show, where she has shared her expertise on parenting, mental wellness, and representation.

She has also been a featured guest on popular podcasts like The Well Woman Show and This Hour Has 50 Minutes and has spoken at national events, including the Positive Parenting Conference and the Institute of Child Psychology Summit.

Across media and stages, Dr. Samudio’s Shame-Proof Parenting™ framework and cultural expertise have equipped audiences with strategies to heal, connect, and thrive.

Who I Work With?

Studios, production companies, showrunners, and independent filmmakers who are committed to building healthier sets and telling more authentic stories.

LETS WORK TOGETHER

I have collaborated with studios, media platforms, and creators at the intersection of mental health, representation, and pop culture…

…including projects within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other major franchises.

Shame Proof Parenting

#1 Amazon Bestseller | Award-Winning Guide for Raising Whole, Healthy Kids

Parenting doesn’t need more shame—it needs more connection.

Whether you're navigating tantrums, tween emotions, or teenage rebellion, this book helps you:

  • Communicate with clarity

  • Discipline without guilt

  • Build a parenting style that actually works for you

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing this right?”—this is your answer.

  • Raising a shame-proof child means learning how to heal the parts of us that were raised in silence

    Dr. Mercedes Samudio

  • We need to love ourselves and each other enough to disrupt generational harm.

    bell hooks

  • Your child doesn’t need perfection—they need your love, your boundaries, and your presence.

    Shame Proof Parenting Proverb

  • Every time you choose connection over control, you’re changing your family’s future.

    Shame Proof Parenting Proverb

  • You are your best thing.

    Toni Morrison

  • Even as we grieved, we continued to parent. That is radical.

    Ijeoma Oluo