Meet The Team

River Barry CMHC

Hi, I’m River Barry (she/her) — owner of Rising Sun Counseling and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. I’ve spent my career working with people from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories, challenges, and identities.

My path into the mental health field started in upstate New York, where I worked in residential treatment with teens and witnessed the difficulty that the residents 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. That insight led me to earn my Master of Science degree with a focus on creative arts psychotherapy.

From there, I worked as an outpatient therapist with adolescents and adults. I enjoyed it deeply, but had a longing to seek other forms of treatment that utilized alternative forms of processing. That calling took me to Utah, where I spent two years as a wilderness field therapist, helping people use nature as a powerful space for processing and growth. Eventually, I returned to outpatient work and then planted the seed that became Rising Sun Counseling. Today, I support Utah residents with anxiety, depression, and trauma; specializing in creating safe space for mountain athlete needs and queer folx.

I’m passionate about getting to know each client’s story through untangling the threads, understanding the “why,” and using that insight to make real, lasting changes. I believe change happens when we remove barriers and try on new ways of being.

In our work together, I draw from tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existentialism, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, and EMDR. Most sessions end with setting intentions to carry into your week.

I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of working together to explore, experiment, and build a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and free.

The goal of counseling is to work towards being the best version of you possible. Together we will gain insight into the origin of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; explore new ways of being; and work towards integrating new ways of being into a life that serves you best.

Claudia Payor CSW

Hi! My name is Claudia (they/them), and I’m a Certified Social Worker. As a queer, non-binary clinician, I’m passionate about creating an affirming, trauma-informed space for queer and trans folx to show up fully and authentically. I center social justice in my work, recognizing how systems of oppression impact mental health and access to care, and I strive to provide therapy that is not only healing, but liberating.

My clinical focus includes working with anxiety, depression, and trauma, particularly within LGBTQIA+ communities. I believe that you are the expert on your own life, and I’m here to support you in reconnecting with your inner wisdom, strength, and resilience. I hold a deep understanding that behaviors often stem from unmet needs, and I work collaboratively with you to explore and address those root causes with care and compassion.

With over six years of experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, I’ve worked with people navigating substance use disorders, serious mental illness, trauma, and life transitions. I also bring a strong working knowledge of the social services system, and I’m committed to connecting clients with the resources they need to thrive.

My therapeutic approach is grounded in evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), while also incorporating a holistic and person-centered lens. I believe that healing is possible for everyone—no matter where you're starting from—and I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process.

Jenni Bair MEd, CMHC

Sitting quietly with someone and listening and understanding—that is valuable. Sitting quietly with someone and “really” feeling connected to them—that is richness. Sitting quietly and exploring a life with wisdom and peace—that is therapy.


My name is Jenni Bair (she/her). My path to becoming a therapist deepened while creating and implementing Utah State University's Facing Depression project. Listening to community members share their experiences with loneliness, suicidal thoughts, relationship struggles, eating disorders, and questions of purpose reinforced my belief that healing begins when people feel deeply heard. Those stories were later published and performed on-stage to help our community better understand mental health.

I believe in therapy: it leads others to self-appreciation and self-compassion, relationship well-being, healthy family relationships, substance abuse recovery, attachment to others, and anxiety, trauma, and depression support. We deserve to explore who we are and create our “own” world. We deserve to feel peace within ourselves and with others. We deserve the “transformative power of being truly heard without judgment … the ‘emergence of a self’” (Carl Rogers).

My work is grounded in a person-centered approach using EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment principles, skills from DBT, thought exploration, and somatic experiencing. 

I love talking about new ideas and ways to find peace. How can I support you?

Luca Weller MSW Intern

Hi! My name is Luca (he/they), and I’m a Master of Social Work Intern. As a queer, trans person, I’m dedicated to building a space where you feel safe to share whatever you need to, however you need to. My background is in social justice, which strongly informs my values and practice. My work is driven by the impacts of structures of oppression on the mental health and wellbeing of all people, and in particular individuals in marginalized communities. I’m familiar with being on a journey that looks different from many of those around you, and am here to work collaboratively with you, center your individual lived experience, and meet you exactly where you are. 

My approach is trauma-informed, and I work with individuals with a number of different goals and needs, including people who experience anxiety, depression, gender dysphoria, and those who are navigating life changes and transitions. I’ve worked with people across the age spectrum. As a person under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella who has experienced the barriers to mental health care, gender affirming care, and culturally appropriate care, I’m passionate about working with LBGTQIA+ communities. 

I draw from Person-Centered Therapy, Strengths-Based Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in my work. I value research-informed practice, recognize the vast variety of human experience, and understand that approaches and strategies work differently for different people. I believe that every single one of us has the capacity for balance, joy, and change. I’m excited by the possibility of having the honor of working with you to help you meet your goals and live as your authentic self.

Max Parker MSW Intern

Hello! I’m Max Parker (she/her), a Social Work Intern. My path to becoming a therapist has been anything but conventional. I spent more than a decade in the corporate world, but somewhere along the way, I realized I was much more energized by the people than the business itself. What shaped them, motivated them, and helped them grow. This led me to pursuing work that feels much more connected to who I am and what I care about. At the heart of it, I believe therapy is about feeling truly seen and understood, and safe enough to get curious about ourselves, our relationships, and the patterns that shape our lives.

My own experiences growing up in a turbulent environment and navigating attachment wounds into adulthood have shaped the way I understand healing. In working through trauma and grief, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the patterns we develop to protect ourselves can follow us into our relationships, and how powerful it can be to meet those patterns with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment. My own journey has given me a deep respect for how hard change can be, and how much possibility there is within it.

My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and collaborative. I work with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, gender dysphoria, attachment and relationship concerns, grief and loss, life transitions, and substance use. I also enjoy working with couples who want to understand the patterns they get stuck in, strengthen their connection, and build more secure and fulfilling relationships. I strive to create a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for all of my clients, and especially enjoy working with LGBTQIA+ folks and anyone navigating marginalization, discrimination, or questions of identity and belonging.

 I blend practical tools from CBT and DBT with IFS/parts work, somatic and mindfulness-based practices, and psychedelic integration. With couples, I draw from systems-based and attachment-focused approaches, including EFT and Gottman-informed interventions. I don’t believe there is one “right” way to do therapy. I want to understand what works for you.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before starting therapy, and you certainly don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re healing from the past, feeling stuck in the present, or worried about the future, we can work through it together. I believe that every single one of us has the capacity for balance, joy, and change. I’m excited by the possibility of having the honor of working with you to help you meet your goals and live as your authentic self.

Nikki Smith CMHC Intern

Hi, I’m Nikki Smith (she/her), and I’m genuinely glad you’ve found your way here. I know that searching for a therapist can feel daunting, and I want to honor the courage it takes to take this first step. My own path to counseling began later in life, after a long and winding journey as a photographer, artist, and outdoor educator. I’ve always cherished truly getting to know people—their hopes, struggles, and what makes them unique. My passion for portraiture came from wanting to see people for who they really are, and that same curiosity and empathy now guide my work as a therapist. I realized that what I loved most was supporting people through the parts of life that are hardest to navigate, helping them feel seen and less alone. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that your story matters, and that I’d be honored to walk with you through your next chapter.
 
Therapy has changed my life in ways I never expected. I know firsthand how transformative it can be to feel deeply understood and accepted by someone who truly sees you. That’s what I strive to offer every client who sits with me. Whether you’re carrying trauma, feeling isolated, or simply needing a space where you don’t have to hide any part of yourself, I want to help you feel safe and valued. My focus includes working with PTSD and trauma, LGBTQIA2S+ folks, people exploring polyamory, the kink community, sex workers, and minority veterans. I want you to know that all of you is welcome here, and together, we’ll work toward healing that feels authentic to you.
 
My style is warm, person-centered, and deeply collaborative. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to support you as we uncover your strengths together. I draw from evidence-based practices, but I also know that healing is as much about connection as it is about technique. My work is shaped by a feminist-multicultural perspective and years of personal advocacy for trans, queer, and marginalized communities. In our sessions, you’ll find a space where your voice matters and your experiences are honored. We’ll work together to find what truly supports your unique journey.
 
It’s never too late to seek change, healing, or connection. If you feel ready (or even just curious), I’d be honored to support you. Let’s take the next step together.