KARI L DE BOER, LPC, ATR, RYT
(SHE, HER, HERS)
Kari’s dedication to her clients and passion for holistic healing come together at Hawthorn Hive. Artist, art therapist, counselor, and registered yoga teacher are just a few of the roles that reflect her lifelong commitment to growth, learning, and integrative wellness. Rooted in the hive‑mind philosophy, Kari strives to create a collaborative and inclusive space where all are welcomed with care and compassion. She blends the cathartic process of art‑making with the grounding practices of yoga and breathwork to support each person’s journey toward wholeness, often drawing on her own artwork inspired by the mind’s need to reflect, release, and process secondary trauma and compassion fatigue.
Hawthorn Hive was born from the culmination of Kari’s experience and education. As a registered yoga teacher and certified mindfulness instructor, she helps promote balanced, healthy living. Kari has worked as an art therapist and counselor in educational and community‑based settings, including as a Youth Development Professional at the Boys & Girls Club, with Reggio Emilia and Head Start programs, and in community arts centers. She developed and implemented the Pediatric Medical Art Therapy program at Bronson Children’s Hospital and has presented her research nationally at the American Art Therapy Association Conference, the Midwest Child Life Conference, regional medical conferences, hospitals, schools, and non‑profits.
Her clinical work spans a broad spectrum: providing trauma‑informed support to adults in domestic violence and sexual assault shelters; offering therapeutic art interventions at cancer treatment centers; leading group and individual therapy in psychiatric inpatient hospital settings; and nurturing creativity and resilience through partnerships with nonprofit and community arts organizations. In private practice, Kari integrates traditional talk therapy, art therapy, and trauma‑informed yoga, always with a mindful, strengths‑based approach that holds each client’s innate capacity for healing at the center.
OPHELIA, THERAPY TORTOISE
(SHE/HER/HERS) ​
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Ophelia is an Eastern Hermann's Tortoise that was captive bred and came to us from a reputable breeder in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is helping clients of all ages navigate topics like safety, boundaries, mindfulness, healthy eating habits, and much more. She reminds us daily of the power of slowing down, leaning into rest, and understanding that we all have our own unique pace for learning and growing.
​Having a therapy tortoise like Ophelia offers unique and calming benefits for clients of all ages. Her slow, gentle movements naturally encourage mindfulness and present-moment awareness, helping individuals slow down and regulate their nervous systems. Interacting with a tortoise can foster a sense of safety, patience, and trust, especially valuable in therapeutic settings where consistency and predictability are important. For children and teens, caring for and observing a tortoise can promote empathy, responsibility, and emotional connection in a low-pressure, nonjudgmental way. Ophelia’s peaceful presence serves as a powerful reminder that growth takes time, and healing often begins with simply being still.
​Eastern Hermann's Tortoises are one of the smallest breeds of tortoises in the world and will grow to be approximately 5 inches in shell length if male and up to 7 inches if female. Eastern Hermann's are a Mediterranean tortoise species with areas of origin near Southern France, Italy, Greece, and even Croatia. While the health risks associated with touching a well-cared-for, captive-bred tortoise are very low, it’s important to be aware that reptiles can naturally carry bacteria such as Salmonella. With proper hygiene, such as washing hands after contact and maintaining a clean habitat, these risks can be effectively minimized. To ensure a safe and supportive environment, we ask that all clients or their guardians provide consent before including any animal in a therapeutic session. Participation is always optional, and accommodations will be made for comfort, accessibility, and individual needs.
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