Clinical psychologist Dr. Selma Nemer, the founder of One Roof, is deeply committed to the mission of her staff: alerting clients to the healing capacities of their own bodies. “It’s mind-boggling what we can do for ourselves. One Roof is a place where professionals teach people who are hurting how to make it stop, or at least to reduce the pain. We facilitate, but the power resides in the client,” says Nemer.

A former chef, well-known regionally for her cuisine magic, particularly in her popular eatery Eartha’s Kitchen, Nemer was in her forties when she matriculated for her doctorate. Sons Martin and Eric had left home for their own adventures—both now are dads— and she was free to reflect, to give a context to her observations as a restaurateur and as a human being. She also is a gifted painter.

“There’s a psychology to eating, to customers, to the front of the restaurant and the back of it; there’s a psychology to being a member of the restaurant community, and the city community. Besides, there’s balance and similarity to these impulses: I wanted to satisfy people’s appetites for food, and now for compassion. Both are obvious forms of nurturing,” explains Nemer, who is animated on the subject of being a grandmother but prefers to be described as “ageless.”

Before launching One Roof, Nemer worked as a psychologist at Conifer Park in Glenville, Four Winds Hospitals in Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College and in private practice. During her professional odyssey, she realized Saratoga Springs needed a holistic healing center, a place she would have wanted to go herself. But between the dream and opening day was more hassle than healing, as she found herself encumbered with building plans, zoning ordinances, launching a Website and finding practitioners.

Vital support for the venture sustained her, especially from former massage therapist Kristine Reynolds, who, with Labradoodle Clover at her side, is the administrator at One Roof. For clients, it’s the elegant, gracious, ethereal Reynolds who is the first impression; an uplifting, welcoming melody in the foyer. Other members of the creative team included: Phil Reynolds (Kristine’s husband), a key brainstormer; Lynae Kovatch of Perfect Scents, whose original perfumes infuse the center with alluring fragrances; Frank Laskey, owner of Capital Construction; engineer Jonathan Blumberg; and James Kettlewell, architectural historian and Lafayette Street resident, whose own home overlooks One Roof. Henry Street neighbors applauded the renovations and friends urged Nemer on. Her colleagues trusted the One Roof concept and signed leases. In fact, most of the professionals at One Roof have been there since the beginning.