Who We Are
Established in 2015, Best Practice Psychotherapy is an outpatient mental health private practice that provides comprehensive mental health services in Woodbridge, New Haven and other surrounding communities. The Practice aims to remove a common barrier that may prevent individuals from seeking mental health treatment - ability to afford the services. Subsequently, a sliding fee scale is offered to those who are eligible.
The practice began as a solo practice - led by Practice Owner and Psychotherapist, Charmaine Samuda. Charmaine brings with her an expansive clinical background with almost 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in schools, hospital, and intensive outpatient settings. Charmaine’s impassioned focus on helping those who have minimal access to mental health treatment remains a priority. The Practice has succeeded in providing comfort, therapeutic support and psychoeducation to all clients served.
Meet The Team
Charmaine Samuda, MSW, LCSW
Charmaine Samuda is the Practice owner and Psychotherapist of Best Practice Psychotherapy, LLC. Charmaine is a graduate of Columbia University Master of Social Work program and is a CT Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her desire to further expand knowledge and impact resulted in her current pursuit of a Doctoral degree in Social Work at Southern CT State University. Charmaine’s expansive clinical background includes almost 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in schools, hospital, and intensive outpatient settings. Charmaine’s impassioned focus on helping those who have minimal access to mental health treatment remains a priority. Charmaine’s area of specialty includes working with children and families. Additionally, adolescents and young adults presenting with depression, anxiety, and life transition difficulties are also areas of specialization. Her trainings, include but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy. In her free time, Charmaine enjoys interior design, learning about new cultures, and gardening.
Erica Guzman, LPC, LADC
Erica Guzman is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC), and a licensed professional counselor (LPC). She graduated from University of Bridgeport where she received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services, and a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at Walden University. Erica’s background includes working with individuals who have struggled with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. This includes experience working with those experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mood disorders. Erica has a passion for utilizing strength-based approaches as well as person-centered strategies, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other mindfulness therapies including dialectical behavioral therapy. She has a new and youthful approach to counseling that opens the mind to all possibilities. Erica values the team effort it takes to build a meaningful and transformative therapeutic relationship and takes pride in advocating for her clients and their needs. In Erica’s spare time she enjoys traveling the world, practicing mindfulness and yoga, eating yummy foods, and spending time with friends and family.
Maura Satti, MSW, LCSW
Maura Satti is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master of Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University in 2018. She received her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The University of Vermont in 2013. She has diverse experiences working with adolescents, adults, and families of varying abilities. Her passions range from working with adolescents with behavioral struggles and their families, to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She has worked with individuals with chronic illnesses to promote their overall well-being from a holistic standpoint and has experience working in the juvenile justice system, school system, and hospital system to promote the well-being of those that she works with. Her therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, among others. Her various experiences have supported the individuals and families she has worked with to increase their self-esteem, advocate for their needs, and feel connected and heard. She puts her whole heart into the work she does with her clients and works to empower them in all aspects of their lives. In her free time, she enjoys traveling the world to experience new cultures and landscapes. She loves going to the beach and spending time with her dog, family, and friends! She has a zest for learning and an enthusiastic view on life.
Stephanie LeBlanc, MSW, LCSW
Stephanie LeBlanc is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who received her Master of Social Work with a concentration in children and families from Southern Connecticut State University. Stephanie received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Connecticut. She is a motivated and enthusiastic clinician with a wide range of experience including working with mothers and newborns, children, adolescents, adults, and families. Stephanie has provided therapeutic interventions in school, hospital, home, and intensive outpatient settings. She is passionate about building trust and rapport with her clients through a non-judgmental strength-based approach, patient demeanor, cultural competence, and compassionate interpersonal skills. She utilizes evidenced-based treatment modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Stephanie is devoted to advocating for social justice issues. She strives to create a supportive and safe environment to facilitate growth and change with her clients. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys journaling, spending time with family and friends, traveling the world, and kickboxing.
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