Life is a river– sometimes glassy, sometimes meandering, sometimes full of turbulent whitewater. The river is never exactly the same, although we often find ourselves in what feels like the same rapid; struggling to get a breath in, colliding with the same obstacles again and again. Other times we might find ourselves “eddied out,” recirculating in the same stagnant pool of water, unable to enter back into the main current.

River runners use a concept called “pointing positive” to navigate turbulence safely. Point positive is a tool to readjust focus towards the direction you want to travel, and away from the obstacles that capture our attention and our momentum. On the river these obstacles might be rocks, undercut ledges, or waterfalls. In the river of our lives, they are maladaptive mental, emotional, and behavioral patterns.

In order to navigate the rapids in our lives skillfully and safely, it is necessary to understand what truly constitutes the obstacles. Too often we consider raw feelings like anger, grief, or anxiety as obstacles to avoid when in reality they are a natural part of the flow of life. The real obstacles are the constructs and patterns we create that trigger and reinforce these feelings. Skillfully identifying our obstacles and “pointing positive” towards the smoothest line helps us navigate a safe and healthy course, and is a major philosophy of my counseling practice. My style of counseling is relational, dynamic, and honors our work together as a soulful journey where you are welcomed and not alone.