About River

My name is River Barry (she/her), I have a background working in a wide variety of settings with a wide range of needs, identities, and challenges being faced. My journey working in mental health began prior to pursuing being a therapist. I was living in upstate New York when I worked in residential treatment and witnessed the difficulty that teens had in articulating their internal experiences. I found that there is a great need for alternative forms of processing in therapy other than just verbal processing. I then studied for my Masters in Science in order to become a mental health therapist with a focus in creative arts therapy.

Following graduate school, I worked as an outpatient therapist serving adolescents and adults for a wide range of needs. I enjoyed it deeply, but had a longing to seek other forms of treatment that utilized alternative forms of processing. I then left New York and moved to Utah in order to become a wilderness field therapist where nature would provide a source for processing. As a field therapist I worked with the adolescents 24/7 for 8 days at a time. I found that nature was a powerful container for processing and healing. Following two years of wilderness therapy experience, I returned back to the world of outpatient treatment, where my interest continues to reside. Since being back in outpatient treatment, I’ve watered the seed that is now Rising Sun Counseling LLC. As the owner of Rising Sun Counseling I’ve been able to provide services to Utah residents for Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma; with a specialization in creating safe space for adventure outdoor sport needs and queer folx.