Kelley holds a PhD in religious studies. She taught for fourteen years prior to transitioning to the mental health field, where she was employed at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre for fourteen years. She now works part-time as a psychotherapist. As the author of nonfiction books, short stories and children’s books, Kelley gravitates towards characters who are different, or feel like they don’t belong.

Her 2025 memoir, Who Am I Now? Reflections on Spirituality and Grief, delves into loss and grief, and what keeps us going.