Brisa Samudio, LCSW
Brisa is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in behavioral health since 2004. Her experience in the field has centered on trauma resolution and social determinants of health. She has had extensive experience working with a wide array of diverse populations including children & adolescents in the foster care system, veterans, and in community health centers. Licensed in both California and Tennessee, Brisa currently works in the private practice as the founder of and practitioner at the Samara Group. Additionally, she has recently launched a startup to continue the work of her collaborative community team. In her time away from work, she enjoys music of virtually all genres, - with a special fondness for live music - travel, making good memories with loved ones, bikram yoga, & having the occasional conversation with her pets. She is a certified clinical trauma professional through the International Association of Trauma Professionals and is trained in EMDR. Her clinical case management work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and the American Journal of Managed Care.
Sally Smith-Kendrick, MSSA
Sally is Samara Group’s veteran clinician: in addition to serving for 10 years in the United States Marine Corps & receiving an honorable discharge, she has been with Samara since 2019. While serving, she attained Combat Water Survival 3 (CWS-3) & Government Secret Clearance as well as many other accolades. As a veteran case manager with more than 10 years of field experience, she has a common foothold to serve any population. She is certified in Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) & Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM). Sally holds a Master of Science degree in Social Administration (MSSA) from Case Western Reserve University, and she is a member of the National Association of Social Worker, National Association of Black Social Workers, Golden Key International Honour Society, Psi Chi, Psychology Honor Society, Alpha Kappa Delta, and Sociology Honor Fraternity.
Keith Frederic, MS, NCC
Keith Frederic is a National Certified Counselor who has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Louisiana State University and a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis. His therapy approach is humanistic, meaning he focuses on the complexity of one’s lived experiences as a whole, and he strives to provide a calm, confidential space where individuals can express and reflect on their difficult thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Keith is available for individual counseling with adolescents and adults, and he has extensive experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Laura Moreno-Marin, LMSW
Originally from Colombia, Laura Moreno-Marin earned her Bachelor of Social Work at La Salle University in Bogotá before completing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Memphis. She holds certificates in both clinical and school social work, and completed her training at the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, at St. Jude Research Hospital, and at the YMCA in Colombia. Her skill set centers on providing psychotherapy, psychosocial support, medical social work, and crisis intervention. Laura enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families. She is fluent in Spanish, and has experience in providing support to members of diverse and vulnerable populations. Laura joined the Samara Group in May 2023 as a valuable addition to the team.
Elizabeth Betrous
Elizabeth works with Samara Group as the invaluable Clinic Coordinator. She holds Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Violin Performance from the University of Memphis. During her time there, she served as an Ambassador for the Helen Hardin Honors College and as a member of the Intro to Psychology Teaching team. She has worked for and volunteered with various nonprofits and arts organizations to develop educational initiatives and community outreach projects. Her attention to detail and work ethic have been key to the growth of our practice. In her time off, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and reading. Elizabeth is currently pursing her masters in the behavioral health field.
Greta
Greta is a Weimaraner who was adopted from a rescue in Texas. She was born in February 2024 shortly after her birth mom was removed from terrible living conditions. She still receives updates on her 4 brothers every few months. Greta enjoys galloping like a pony, eating pears, and shadowing her family members closely. Greta is training to work with behavioral health clients full-time. She has already offered immeasurable support to her clients and is available to join sessions when requested.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATOR Zareon Anthony, MPH
Zareon Anthony is a seasoned population health professional based in Memphis, Tennessee with expertise in substance abuse prevention and sexual health education. Holding a Master's degree in Urban Health: Public Health, Zareon has served marginalized demographics in Shelby County, promoting health initiatives.
In roles such as Business Development Account Manager at Samara Center and Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at Shelby County Crime Victims & Rape Crisis Center, Zareon has excelled in partnership management and market analysis. Notably, as the Opioid Prevention and Education Health Coordinator at Shelby County Health Department, Zareon engaged with diverse sectors to address opioid use disorder.
Beyond a rich professional background, Zareon enjoys gardening - with a particular pride in growing peppers over the spring and summer. This passion for health extends beyond the workplace, showcasing Zareon's commitment to personal and community well-being.