The Nesting Place is a wellness center for pregnant women with and without their husbands or partners located in Ridgewood, NJ.
The ultimate goal is to educate, nurture, and empower women during pregnancy, as well as during the postpartum adjustment once baby is here.
The "Nest" provides a warm and supportive atmosphere where women (with and without their husbands or partners) can attend various classes and workshops designed to prepare them for pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. In this warm and inviting space, moms are also encouraged to connect and share with one another, as well as with a variety of professionals in a small group setting.
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The hope is that while utilizing the services offered to nurture themselves, these women can stay mentally and physically in tune with their bodies while connecting with their partners and baby throughout their pregnancy.
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The vision of the Nesting Place is to create and facilitate healthy bonding within the newly created family, while increasing support systems and fostering lifelong connections and friendships.
Alison Herman
Founder and CEO
Alison is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing family therapy in both NYC and Bergen County, NJ for over 15 years. The Nesting Place was born out of her desire to create a safe and nurturing environment, free from isolation, where women can embrace their pregnancies and gain confidence for labor, delivery, and early motherhood.
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Alison is also a practicing birth doula with a passion for everything pregnancy and new mom related. She encourages all mothers who desire support during labor to reach out to The Nesting Place. She and her husband, Mark, are raising their son and daughter in Bergen County.
Barbara Hayer
Managing Director
Barbara holds dual degrees in both Business and Education. She has over 20 years experience working with children of all ages, both in the classroom and one on one settings. She has enjoyed successful careers utilizing both her degrees and comes to the Nesting Place to combine her expertise.
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Barb resides in northern New Jersey where she is raising her teenage son.
Erin Smith
LCSW/Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional
Erin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional who earned her master's in clinical Social Work and subsequently received advanced clinical training in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Erin is also a certified perinatal loss and bereavement counselor who has spent most of her career including the last 10 years at Valley Hospital working extensively with parents in an inpatient setting on Labor and Delivery, Mother/Baby and the NICU.
She is a member of Postpartum Support International and The National Association for Perinatal Social Workers. Erin recently completed EMDR training for survivors of birth and trauma loss. She provides individual, couples and group support both virtually and in person for The Nesting Place. Erin is currently living in Bergen County with her husband, 3 children and her golden retriever.
Janna Goodman
Director of Childbirth Education, Yoga, and Fitness
Janna is a certified prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher, birth doula childbirth educator and hypnobirthing instructor. She is a self proclaimed yoga and anatomy nerd who is enthusiastic about helping birth be as easy, gentle and calm as it can be.
Always seeking, learning, teaching, she brings her passion and knowledge to birth with care and honesty.
Rachel McHale, IBCLC
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Rachel McHale is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who provides lactation consultations and counseling both at The Nesting Place and in the client’s home. She also teaches Breastfeeding and Newborn Care and Breastfeeding Basics. In addition to her work at The Nesting Place, Rachel works part time at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital of Somerset. She is the proud mother of two exclusively breastfed boys.
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Rachel switched careers to help moms and their babies find success throughout their own breastfeeding journeys.
Carol Videtti, MSW
Director of Nutritional Health and Wellness
Carol is a practicing psychotherapist and certified nutrition counselor. She received her nutrition certification at the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute in NY. The joining of these two professions has made Carol a truly dynamic and extremely well rounded clinician. She is a staunch advocate for women’s rights and deeply committed to her clients.
Carol is a devoted mom of two, with her calm and nurturing demeanor. She is truly a gift to The Nesting Place.
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