By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Let’s be real – life is stressful. Throughout our time on earth, we are forced to overcome anxieties, trauma, and more while trying to present our best selves for our friends and families. How can we cope with the impossible? Kelli Karver, of Mindfully Active, has an answer, and it’s a little unconventional. Through artistic expression, her clients grow through hardships and work through mental illness. With just a little creativity and vulnerability, her clients can face the world with a steady gaze and emotional grit.
It all started when Kelli began to work in education, specifically with children with autism. She loved working with people who uniquely perceived the world, but was frustrated at the strict academic framework these children were forced to abide by. She hoped that they would learn to “live a more enriched life. I wanted to help these kids work through emotions and practice social learning,” she said. “But instead, we had to just learn math.”
Kelli found her passion in working with people in a nontraditional way, and decided to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy at George Washington University. Today, she runs her own business, offering people from the Atlantic County area hope in the form of art. “My mission is to have therapy and a space to bring more art resources into the community,” Kelli said.
Not only was Kelli moved by her work in schools, but when her brother developed schizophrenia, her eyes were opened to mental illness on a personal level. Kelli lost “my closest sibling, a relationship that was supposed to grow, and lost a foundation in my family system.” Kelli had to reestablish her view on family and mental illness, which inspired her to become a therapist.
Mindfully Active, Kelli’s business, offers traditional therapy and art therapy, both individually or in group settings. Kellis is especially passionate about working with people who have faced trauma. “Trauma is stored in the brain as images,” said Kelli. “And by creating pictures relating to that trauma, clients can overcome these hard times once and for all and move on with their lives.”
In addition to trauma, Kelli plans on running groups for women facing infertility, teens, people experiencing grief and loss, and more. She also hopes to offer one-time art groups, like wreath-making for Christmas. She has a vision of bringing in a chef to teach clients to make a hearty autumn salad, and having the participants paint a bowl while talking about the importance of nutrition. Kelli even wants to set up a women’s networking event for business owners nearby.
“I have always been an artist, too,” Kelli said. She makes heod pallets and uses a scraper to create bright, beautiful scenes. They aren’t necessarily abstract, but they allow the viewer to sense emotion, whether that be joy, sadness, or anger. She also relies on inspiration from the ocean, incorporating whales, tentacles, and waves in her work.
“It’s really important that you have more in your life other than work and sleep,” Kelli said. “Find a slot of time and use it for self-care. Find a way to relax or unwind, and then grow and evolve. You’ll slowly feel better about yourself.”
For more information on Kelli and Mindfully Active, visit www.mindfullyactivenj.com.
