Hi Brittany! Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I’m a born and raised Jersey Girl! I grew up in Glen Ridge – but I always say Montclair first because it’s such a small town and most people don’t know it unless they’re from the Essex County area. After college (University of Scranton – go Royals!) and grad school (Rutgers University), I lived in Hoboken for 10 years. It was truly the best and most magical place. I made and kept the best friends, partied like it was 1999, started my first business, met my now husband, got married, and had our first child there. It will forever have a special place in my heart. Fast forward to 2019, we bought a house in Oradell and are loving the community we’re building here.
How old are your kids?
I’m the proudest mom of 3 kids. My oldest, Owen, is 7 and going into second grade. My middle guy (and let me say, he is the definition of a middle child), Patrick, is 5. He’s starting Kindergarten this school year. When I reflect back on having a baby in the height of COVID, it has definitely had a huge impact on the work I do in maternal mental health now. Then came Keira (2), our girl! I think the fact we had a third baby was a big surprise to so many of our family and friends – I was DONE and more than happy with my two boys. But something shifted in the spring of 2022 for me. I just felt like our family wasn’t complete, and I desperately wanted to have a daughter! Dan (my husband) and I agreed we would try until September of 2022, and in late August I found out I was pregnant.
What is your favorite thing to do with them?
Wow, this is a hard one! It’s changed so much over the years as they are getting older and have different interests. This summer both of my boys really got into sports, especially baseball. We’ve been spending a lot of time in our backyard (one of the reasons we fell in love with our house!) playing whiffle ball, football and basketball. I love stepping back and watching them be kids – the laughing, the innocence, the fun. Dan and I were both athletes so seeing their interest in sports grow is really fun. And of course, my daughter, Keira, is right there trying to keep up.
Are you involved in a business venture? Please share!
YES! I am the owner of The Mom Chat Therapy & Wellness. I have an office space in Emerson and work with clients virtually throughout NJ and NY. I’ve also been connecting with moms all over the world on my Instagram page @the.momchat. I’m a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health – think family planning, infertility, pregnancy, loss, birth trauma, postpartum, parenting and beyond. My goal is to help women through the incredible transition into motherhood and provide support throughout their parenting journey. So many moms relate to feeling overwhelmed, anxious, burnt out, and angry – just to name a few. I help women shift the narrative – to understand that taking care of themselves is the farthest thing from selfish. It’s essential.
Why is this so important?
The reality is, moms are not okay. We’re in a maternal mental health crisis. Research shows one of the best indicators for raising emotionally healthy children is having an emotionally healthy mom. There’s an undeniable lack of education and support for women after having a baby. Think about it – all those doctors appointments when you’re pregnant and then BAM. Maybe a follow up 6 weeks later. That’s it. In my dream world, maternal mental health care becomes as normal and frequent as your baby’s pediatrician appointments. No shame, no stigma. Just effective, accessible support that every woman so desperately needs and deserves.
What sets you apart?
I truly understand what moms are going through – because I am a mom, just like you. As a mom of 3 myself, I have first hand experience with the mental load, stress, overwhelm, changes in my relationships after becoming a mom, balancing work and parenting…
I’ve also worked with children/adolescents with differing needs and abilities in NJ public education for over a decade. I have tons of experience and knowledge on child development and behavior and this allows me to work with moms on fine tuning their parenting strategies, in addition to their own mental health.
If you could give one tip to fellow moms, what would it be?
Motherhood is the definition of experiencing two opposing emotions at the same time – and one does not negate the other.
You are the best mother for your babies.
Self care is NOT selfish.
Your worth is not valued by your productivity.
Self care is different for everyone and should be driven by your values.
Your children don’t need a perfect mom. Your children need a healthy mom.
It’s okay to inconvenience others.
Asking for and accepting help isn’t a weakness, it’s a super power.
We weren’t meant to mother alone. A village is essential.
When in doubt, add water.
You thought I could only give one?! 😂
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Just because I’m a therapist for moms, doesn’t mean I have it all figured out. I make mistakes. I yell at my kids. I worry I’m doing enough. My relationships aren’t perfect. But I work hard to practice what I preach – I go to therapy, I’ve taken SSRI medication for postpartum anxiety, I practice mindfulness, and try to prioritize my health and wellness.
- I ran the NYC marathon – twice!
- You’ll only catch me wearing Essie’s “Fiji” on my nails – which is where I honeymooned as well!
- I’m a self proclaimed ice cream taste tester and I always rate off of cookie dough & mint chocolate chip with rainbow sprinkles. Right now, Conrad’s in Westwood is
# 1 with Van Dykes in Ridgewood right behind.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
I am nothing without my female relationships! “The Mom Chat” originates from a real group text chat with my college friends. As each of us became moms, the text group grew and grew. Prior to becoming a mom, I couldn’t wait to be invited into “the mom chat.” It now consists of 12 moms with a total of 30 kids with one on the way!
As I started The Mom Chat Therapy & Wellness, both my personal and professional relationships continue to be the cornerstone of the work I do and the person I am. Having a community like Bergen Moms Network keeps me in touch with local events, parenting tips, and ways to connect with other moms. I can’t even tell you how many early Saturday mornings I went to the “weekend roundup” posts to find something different and fun to do with my family! My hope is if just one mom sees this, realizes she is not alone and support is out there, I’ve made a difference.
To learn more about The Mom Chat Therapy & Wellness visit their website and follow them on Instagram.