Who We Are
At Best Practice Psychotherapy, we understand that choosing a therapist is a meaningful decision. The right therapeutic relationship can offer more than support alone. It can create clarity, steadiness, relief, and a stronger sense of direction during difficult seasons of life.
Our practice is grounded in the belief that thoughtful care begins with thoughtful matching. We take care to connect each client with the clinician whose experience, therapeutic style, and clinical strengths best align with that client’s needs, preferences, and goals. This allows therapy to begin with greater clarity, comfort, and confidence.
We provide evidence-based care for children, adolescents, adults, and families, with support tailored to concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, substance use, emotional stress, and culturally responsive care.
Thoughtful Matching at BPP
We do not take a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. We thoughtfully match clients based on:
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presenting concerns
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age and stage of life
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treatment goals
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clinical specialty
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cultural or language preferences
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scheduling and insurance considerations
Our goal is to make the process of starting therapy feel clear, supportive, and well considered from the very beginning.
Dr. Charmaine Samuda, DSW, LCSW
Owner and Psychotherapist
In-Person and Telehealth
Accepting New Clients
Dr. Charmaine Samuda is the founder of Best Practice Psychotherapy and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Connecticut. She earned her Doctor of Social Work degree from Southern Connecticut State University and her Master of Social Work degree from Columbia University.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Samuda has worked across schools, hospitals, and intensive outpatient settings. Her breadth of experience allows her to support clients with both warmth and clinical depth, particularly when they are navigating emotional stress, life changes, or more layered personal and family challenges.
Tanisha Fougy, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
In-Person and Telehealth
Accepting New Clients
Tanisha Fougy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who brings a collaborative, person-centered approach to her work. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and has experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds and across various stages of life.
Tanisha creates a supportive and grounded therapeutic space where clients can work through emotional pain, practical stressors, and meaningful life change with care and clarity. Her work reflects both warmth and clinical focus, helping clients feel understood while also supporting real progress.
Esteban N. Mercado, LMSW
Mental Health Therapist
In-Person and Telehealth
Accepting New Clients
Esteban N. Mercado is a Licensed Master Social Worker who provides therapy with compassion, insight, and a strong commitment to culturally responsive care. He earned his Master’s degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and brings valuable experience from both medical oncology and addiction recovery settings.
He completed a year-long internship at Smilow Cancer Center in Guilford, where he supported patients through emotionally and medically complex experiences. He is fluent in Spanish and is especially committed to serving underserved communities, including the Latino population.
Tezeta G. Mammo, LCSW
Mental Health Therapist
In-Person and Telehealth
Accepting New Clients
Tezeta G. Mammo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 19 years of experience supporting children and families across outpatient and school-based settings. She provides therapy with warmth, clinical depth, and a thoughtful understanding of the many factors that shape a child’s emotional and behavioral well-being. Her work is grounded in the belief that meaningful treatment begins with understanding the whole child within the context of family, development, environment, and culture.
Tezeta earned her Master of Social Work degree from Southern Connecticut State University with a concentration in Children and Families. She further advanced her clinical training through a post-graduate fellowship at the Yale School of Medicine Child Study Center, where she deepened her expertise in child and family mental health.
Domonique Fuller
Office Manager
Domonique Fuller is the Office Manager at Best Practice Psychotherapy. She brings a strong background in business, operations, and marketing, and plays an important role in helping the practice function with consistency, care, and professionalism.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies, an Associate’s degree in Business Studies and Accounting, and has completed additional coursework in digital and social media marketing.