The River or Roads Cards

When I first came across The River Cards, I immediately connected with the power of metaphor in healing work. Whether you’re helping someone through grief, transition, or personal growth, these cards provide a safe and creative way for people to tell their story – without needing all the right words. The visual imagery and story-based format allow participants to process complex emotions with surprising ease. It’s one of the most powerful tools I’ve used in both group and individual settings.

The Roads Cards build on that same concept – metaphor as a mirror for the inner journey. With roads instead of rivers, clients explore life’s decisions, obstacles, detours, and turning points. I love how these two decks complement each other and can be used interchangeably or in sequence. Whether you’re guiding someone through recovery, trauma, or life change, these cards open the door to honest reflection and real insight.
To begin, spread the deck of cards – either River or Roads – image-side up on a table or floor. Invite your client or group to look through the images and select a series of cards that represent their current journey, or give them prompts for specific storyline events. You can guide this with prompts like, “Which card shows where you’ve been?” or “Which card reflects where you are now?” and “Which one shows where you hope to go?” The act of selecting images helps clients connect internal experiences with external visuals, making abstract feelings easier to process.

Once cards are chosen, ask participants to place them in a sequence to create a narrative. This might represent a life story, a recent challenge, a recovery path, or an emotional arc. Encourage them to describe each card in their own words, and notice any themes, symbols, or metaphors that arise. In group settings, you can have participants share their “river” or “road” story with the group – or invite others to simply listen and hold space for the journey being shared.

To close the activity, ask reflective questions like: What did you learn about yourself while building your story? What card surprised you the most? Is there a card missing from your journey that you wish existed? You can also journal about the cards or pair the exercise with drawing or movement. And because the two decks are visually and thematically aligned, you can mix them together to expand the story – flowing from river to road and back again, just like life.

~Michelle Cummings

Pick up a set of River Cards: https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/the-river-cards-and-the-river-guidebook

Or Roads Cards: https://www.trainingwheelsgear.com/collections/therapeutic-tools/products/the-roads-a-deck-of-projective-cards