Groundswell Surf TherapyTM coming to the 2026 SEPI Conference in Malibu this Summer


The Society for the Exploration ofPsychotherapy Integration 42nd Annual Conference: Connection Within, Between and Beyond 

Where: Malibu, California

When: June 11-13, 2026

Featuring Natalie Small LMFT as guest speaker on Groundswell Surf TherapyTM


About the conference: Connection Within, Between and Beyond

Our proximity to pain and suffering, however skillfully held, can draw us into its depths. In order to take care of ourselves, it is imperative that we draw from the restorative and regenerative benefits of connection, one of the most potent forces in health and healing. This conference is not only for the people we serve, but for ourselves too. The theme for the SEPI 2026 conference, Connection Within, Between and Beyond recognizes the significant role that connection plays in the process of psychotherapy and other therapeutic modalities. Some of the topic being explored are:

  • Depth Psychological Approaches to Moral Injury in Veterans and First Responders

  • Integrating What Patients Can Teach Us

  • Operator Syndrome: An integrative and precision-based approach to complex injuries and systemic sequelae

  • When the Bough Breaks: Ecological Response to Disaster, Moral Injury, and Trauma

  • Sea Soma: An exploration of the mind, body, community and nature into psychotherapy (experiential group learning lead by Natalie Small)

Groundswell Surf TherapyTM presentations:

Natalie Small LMFT, founder and author of the Groundswell Surf TherapyTM model, has been selected to present this unique trauma informed surf therapy approach at this years SEPI conference in Malibu. She is a featured presenter for; Sea Soma: An exploration of the mind, body, community and nature into psychotherapy (experiential group learning). During this embodied experiential 3-hour workshop you will be guided through both individual and group experiences that integrate mind, body and nature, specifically the ocean and beach spaces, for increasing emotional regulation, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Shifting from a processing group experience to a presencing group experience, Natalie will guide you through trauma informed eco and soma practices that tap into the transformative power of joy, play, and community. 

Aside from the main workshop she will also be giving a presentations and posters on:

  • Surf Therapy as Sustainable Counselor Self Care:

  • Groundswell Surf Therapy Intervention for At-Risk Women

  • Surf Therapy for Chronic Overlapping Pain Syndrome

If you are interested in learning more about Groundswell Surf Therapy and other modalities and lectures on the topic of Connection Within, Between and Beyond…we hope to see you there!


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The Groundswell Community Surf Therapy Intervention for At-Risk Women and Changes in Body Acceptance, Resilience, and Emotional Regulation