Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Jonin.
Hi Lindsey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Creativity, fun, and play have always been at the core of who I am. Growing up, I was the kid who showed up everywhere with snacks and art supplies in tow, always ready to make something or share something with the people around me (some things never change). I was also interested in supporting others, my empathy was there at a young age.
That natural pull toward both creativity and caring for others led me to research art therapy more, after learning about it in high school. I went on to study this career further in college, deepening my understanding of how art can be a powerful tool for expression, connection, and healing. I am now a licensed art therapist, board certified art therapist, counselor, and supervisor.
As I moved further in my career, I started to engage in the community and organizational space because I was noticing an increase in isolation and burnout. I fell in love with speaking and offering support to larger settings. So now, along with my clinical path, I am also as a trainer and creative speaker, bringing that same spirit of play and connection. I help teams and communities reconnect with joy through creativity, so that they feel more present, more connected, and more alive!
In addition to the speaking space, I facilitate continuing education experiences for mental health providers, helping professionals deepen their own tools for supporting others. I am currently introducing specific art therapy CE’s to continue supporting the work that we do as art therapists! I want there to be fun in learning and interaction.
From that kid with the snack bag and the art supply bag, to the work I do now, the thread has always been the same: creativity has the power to connect us, heal us, and move us forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, though I’m not sure anyone’s journey truly is. We’re human, and with that comes mistakes, setbacks, self-doubt, and experiences that challenge us.
Throughout my personal and professional journey, I’ve navigated anxiety, perfectionism, comparison, and criticism. As someone who cares deeply about the work I do, there have been times when fear of getting it wrong or not being “good enough” made it difficult to move forward. Starting and growing businesses require a willingness to take risks, put yourself out there, and be seen, which can be uncomfortable at times. Hey, this is one example now from this interview!
I’ve also learned that building a meaningful career isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about learning how to move through them. Some of my greatest periods of growth have come from moments that felt uncertain, scary, or difficult. Those experiences have helped me develop greater self-compassion, resilience, and confidence in my abilities. I do it scared, I do it anxious.
Today, I see those struggles as part of the story in my journey. They have shaped the therapist, speaker, business owner, and person I am today. In many ways, the challenges have reinforced the very message I share with others: there is value in embracing our humanity rather than striving for perfection. Perfectionism destroys creativity, and comparison is the thief of joy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Abstract and Aligned, LLC and Lily Counseling and Art Therapy, LLC?
I have two businesses: Lily Counseling and Art Therapy, LLC and Abstract and Aligned, LLC. They are two branches of the same vision, using creativity as a catalyst for healing, growth, and transformation.
At Lily Counseling and Art Therapy, the focus is on deep, individualized care within talk therapy and/or art therapy. I conduct individual sessions for clients located in NJ and FL, and supervise interns who are on their way to becoming clinicians. In sessions, clients are met with a therapeutic approach that honors the whole person. Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all experience, and I strive to provide care that is both personalized and deeply human. www.lilycounselingandarttherapy.com
Abstract and Aligned is where that same creative energy meets the broader world. This is the training, speaking, and workshop side of my work. This business is built for teams, organizations, communities, and professionals who are ready to think differently about wellness, connection, and support. From dynamic keynotes and workshops to continuing education programs designed specifically for mental health providers, I bring bold, experiential learning. What sets my presentations and workshops apart are the intersection of expertise, creativity, and lived experience. I help people reconnect with joy, curiosity, and authentic connection, qualities that are often overlooked but are essential for thriving.
Together, these two businesses reflect a simple yet powerful truth. That truth is that creativity belongs everywhere: in the therapy room, in the boardroom, in the community, and in the conversation. Creativity is a necessary area of wellness. Two goals of mine is to continue advocating the power of art, and to help people reconnect with joy, curiosity, and creativity.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There are many individuals within my life that have supported me along this journey. My close friends, therapist friends, and family have been the foundation, the constant support system, the cheerleaders. All of this encouragement has been everything and I am so grateful.
Included in this list is my own therapist (yes, therapists receive therapy)! Having a space for reflection, growth, and support has been invaluable and has helped me continue showing up both personally and professionally. This is your invitation to seek a therapist who is in alignment with your needs!
I do want to give a special shoutout to my husband, Tyler, for his continuous support, faith, and love. He has witnessed all the parts of my career after university, witnessing the challenges and the successes. When I started to have thoughts about starting my business, he encouraged me and that assisted in me pursuing this journey.
Another special acknowledgement goes to Dr. Dominique Pritchett, an incredible mentor and a true source of inspiration. Her guidance in my speaking journey has helped shape not just the work, but the mindset behind it. Beyond her direct mentorship is the community she has built, and I receive so much love and support from those individuals. This community is filled with powerhouses who are driven, passionate, whose connection and support I deeply cherish. Being part of that community has been both a gift and a fuel source.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abstractandaligned.com / www.lilycounselingandarttherapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abstractandaligned/ | https://www.instagram.com/lilycounselingandarttherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbstractandAligned
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-jonin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindseyJonin
- Other: Substack: https://abstractandaligned.substack.com/
