Paint the Stars Art Therapy, LLC

01/26/2026

I often participate in student interviews. I’m asked to answer questions about the field of , my experience, my background and more. I’ve never gotten emotional during these interviews as they are typically just upbeat and educational based but today I did…

During this interview, this student asked me if I could recall a moment in my career where I was able to see the impact that art therapy and what I was offering had on others. The very first one that came to mind immediately was years ago, my first real job as an .

I worked in Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn helping to care for acute, chronic and terminally ill kids on the pediatric unit. I have very fond memories of my time there but also many sad memories. When this question was asked my brain immediately brought me to a time when I worked with a young man, a teen, as he struggled with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. This teen and I had worked together often due to his many visits to the hospital. Sometimes his visits were short due to fevers and other such reactions, sometimes his visits were much longer.

We did draw together, we also played video games together—he’d often slay on Rock Band, with me as a sad excuse for a bandmate. But we also chatted, a lot. Towards the end of his life his visits became more difficult, procedures and surgeries.

The one memory that stood out, when asked the question about impact, was one of these difficult days. I cannot remember the specific procedure that was coming up but this young man was asked who he’d want in the room with him in the PICU during that time . Not many were allowed, it had to be limited. He evidently asked for me. When I was told this by the attending my heart was racing, I was so nervous. Me? How could he want me there? What am I going to do to help him? I remember my supervisor at the time telling me that if he requested me that’s all I need to know. And so I went…

I was emotional before it started (not in his presence) and then I walked in, held his hand and chatted with him just like we were alone in the video game room and not surrounded by doctors, which we were. He was one of the bravest kids I’ve ever known.

01/24/2026

Remember to pause.

01/23/2026

Let’s talk about two different sessions, with two very different kids. Completely unrelated, they occurred back to back and the topic runs deep.

Image 1: a simple idea of “if I could change something in this world and my art could be a revolution to start that change what would I choose?” His choice, simply, to end racism. He is a 6th grader, white male, who immediately thought ending racism in our world could do so much. A simple drawing, a huge statement and indeed a revolution.

Image 2: A young white girl, with many irrational fears most of which stem from differences between her and others she may see. She is not taught this fear at home. In fact, her family specifically requested that these fears be worked on as they are debilitating for her and also impact the entire family at times. She has never had an experience or specific trigger that led to these irrational fears but is it possible she read or watched something that impacted her? Sure it’s possible. But either way she knows, at a very young age, her fear is not good and she wants to work on it.

Two different children navigating different situations but connected by an overall theme. Very different work needs to be done, very different words will be spoken. The theme remains.

What a day, what a time to be doing this work…

01/21/2026

Hey there area high school and college students, young adults off on their own, adults dealing with daily stressors…
This one is for you!
Reach out for a free 30 minute consultation at our Princeton office and let’s change that mindset into thinking, “what if it all goes right?”
Got questions? DM or email us
Heal you soon!

01/17/2026

Missing local teen!!!!

01/14/2026

Teaching kids one of the hardest life lessons, letting go of things you cannot control.

For someone with Anxiety or OCD this can be extremely difficult because the idea of being out of control about anything can be paralyzing. Here we focus on what we can control first, showcasing the MANY different aspects of our day to day life that we are in fact in control of. From small choices like, what will I wear today—to bigger issues like what do I think of myself and actions that I take.

This often helps soften the blow of realizing we cannot control what others say or do. If someone is being rude or mean to you we don’t have control over that and likely we cannot stop it BUT we can control our reactions and our actions while this is happening and what we do after. No one can take THAT control away from you!

01/10/2026

✨ Stop and smell the (candles) G R A T I T U D E ✨

Each year, I wrack my brain trying to come up with something that suites us. All of us, as a team. We are “many” now and that gets to be more and more challenging each year. I want to say thank you for a year of a dedication and diligence and I want us to be able to celebrate together. I don’t just want a team dinner because as creatives I know we’d benefit from more. I know we crave creativity and we are more fulfilled from it. This year I was blessed to stumble upon and its genuine owner, Matt. From the start Matt was so accommodating and I have to say his vibe and energy made the entire night that much more enjoyable. Thank you, Matt!

Getting up to 15 women together each year continues to be a struggle. 😂 We are all so busy, with different schedules but as always I am so happy and grateful to welcome whoever can come. We missed those who were sick and unavailable and I know each of them would have truly loved this evening. 🩵 This post is for ALL of you!

As individual therapists in a group private practice we are like passing ships in the night. We occasionally see each other, maybe a few of us, we exchange brief pleasantries and then p**f they’re gone. We are spread between three office and without moments like this some would never get to meet! I love having these evenings of gratitude, connection and thanks for so many reasons but most of all—ladies, I am so grateful for each of you. I hope you know this. What we have created together is something beyond special.

01/05/2026

Well played. 😂

Six-seven, the middle-schooler meme, has reached its natural end, Ian Bogost writes. It wasn’t built to last: https://theatln.tc/2teFoSwG

📸: SDI Productions / Getty

01/05/2026

Trapping an OCD bully takes time and patience. OCD is not just wanting to keep things neat and clean, it’s not what movies and TV portray.

It’s a voice telling you to repeat yourself no matter what answers you get.
It’s a voice telling you that if you don’t do what it’s telling you to do bad things may happen.
It’s a voice making you feel small and out of control.
It’s compulsions that don’t make sense to anyone but you.
It’s having obsessive thoughts that you don’t want to share.
For an adult these symptoms are extremely overwhelming so imagine how a child would feel trying to navigate this…

Creating this trap, the bully OCD, and completing this project shows the client that they can be in control. They ARE in control. They can stop the voices, the compulsions and the obsessions by fighting back and using baby step exposure therapy.

01/04/2026

A Mercer County community is rallying to support Robbinsville’s retired police chief after his son was critically hurt while on a family vacation. FULL STORY 🔗 https://nj1015.com/polaski-family-medical-expenses/

01/03/2026

Attention and members:
Several weeks ago I submitted artwork for the Juried exhibition that was announced. I was genuinely excited about a showcase of NJ Art therapists artwork. All were told they would be notified if their artwork was accepted. Time passed, I received no notification and instead a colleague informed me that they saw my name as part of the announcement on Instagram. I was confused but sure enough I checked and I was included (as you can see in the video). While I was flattered to be chosen I had a pit in my stomach about participating now…because when I submitted I was unaware about what would unfold.

As many art therapists are aware NOW there is or was an investigation including a known NJATA board member regarding sexual harassment at a conference. Obviously I was concerned about this and I did not want to participate in the juried art show IF this person was still involved with NJATA or the exhibit. I also wanted to know what action would be or had been taken as a result of this investigation. As a PAYING member of a professional organization that is supposed to be for its members I feel this was not a lot to ask for.

I emailed the board.
No response. Silence.
Instead I now see I was removed from the juried art show, once again without any notice.

Is this how acts now?
Why exactly am I paying to be part of an organization that can’t respectfully respond to its members?
Why did NJATA never put out a response to their members who questioned what was going on with this investigation?
And WHY can you only supposedly view the 2023 board? And you have to sign in to view this otherwise public info?
What is happening?!

This is not okay.
I do not care about being a part of your juried show but the handling of all of the above has me questioning the professionalism of this organization. Since you, , feel your behavior is acceptable I see no issue putting it out here for all to see.

Perhaps it’s time for a new NJ organization for art therapists who desire ethical and professional development.

Sincerely,
A member who is also an AT for now over 15 years.
But you couldn’t respond to me.

01/03/2026

Start off 2026 in peace, feeling thankful.
Practice gratitude… as a therapist here are my “grateful takeaways.”
What are yours?