Sarah Miller, Anna Anderson with son Emit, middle, and Susan Bones at Tranquil River Day Spa.

For Anna Anderson, expanding her massage therapy business into the Tranquil River Day Spa a year ago was a family affair.

During the planning for the space on Marine Drive in Uppertown, Anderson and her husband, Thor, learned a new baby was on the way. Her father-in-law helped with the renovations. Her mother works at the spa.

“We’re all very family-oriented and happy to be here and it’s been a wild ride, but I can’t believe it’s already been a year,” she said.

Anderson was behind The Positive Touch on Pier 12 for several years. She wanted to expand her brand to offer more services in a larger, more inviting environment.

Anderson grew up in Eureka, California, with her sister and parents. She moved to Astoria with her then-husband, but the relationship deteriorated. In the aftermath, she said she sought a way to help people. That led to an 18-month course at East West College of the Healing Arts in Portland.

Her time at the Portland school is where the name The Positive Touch was born. She said she wanted to show people that a healing touch could be beneficial both mentally and physically, as the school did for her after her relationship ended.

Anderson said she worked three jobs while attending school and commuted between Portland and Astoria.

“I feel like maybe if other people have that positive touch when they’re going through some mental hardship, it would help put in perspective, not only physically let go of some trauma, and mentally let go of some trauma, but then they can actually have a clear path as to how to get out of that trauma,” she said.