Surf Therapy For Trauma Recovery

Level 1 - Live Training

Sunday March 22 & 29, 9:00am–12:00pm PST

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For therapists, students, surf coaches, ocean lovers, and the curious — this experiential training introduces the foundations of trauma-informed surf therapy through embodied, nature-based learning.

You’ll explore the holistic definition of trauma and its effects on the brain, body, and community. Through guided practices, we examine how surfing and Mother Ocean’s waves can support emotional regulation, nervous system healing, and connection.

This training focuses on the psychological safety and mental health benefits of surf therapy, offering somatic and eco-based tools you can use both on the beach and in the sea with clients or community members.

Level 1 pairs beautifully with ISA, ISLA, and other ocean safety trainings, adding the trauma-informed emotional and somatic skill set that complements surf coaching, lifeguarding, and ocean instruction. You’ll walk away with the skills and confidence to hold both physical and psychological safety in your spaces.

This training is meaningful for personal healing and growth, and can also be used professionally with individuals, groups, and community partners.

  • 300 USD

  • 6 + homework

  • 6 CAMFT accredited CEUs

  • Natalie Small LMFT: founder and author of Groundswell Surf Therapy TM practicing for over 15 years in the fields of surf therapy, eco, play, and somatic therapy for trauma recovery. She also is a certified Ocean Lifeguard and has over 20 years of surf coaching from retreats to surf schools

    Ludine Pierre LPCC: Working from a trauma informed lens, Ludine has been specializing in supporting BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ individuals in reclaiming their bodies and their belonging in the sea. She supports local LA communities as a certified Groundswell Surf Therapy Facilitator and provides mental health services through her private practice

    • 1 year access to the community learning platform

    • Worksheets & templates you can print and utilize

    • Certificate of completion & stamp to celebrate your dedication to providing trauma informed surf therapy spaces

    • Added to our provider page so clients and communities can locate you

    • Access to Groundswell Surf Therapy Group Consultation Sessions

    • Holistic definition of Trauma

    • Psycho-eduaciton on how trauma is navigated in the body

    • Review of Blue Science & research exploring how the ocean and surfing supports mental health and trauma healing

    • Tangible eco & somatic mental health tools

    • History of Surf Therapy

    • Tools to support the deepening of your own surf practice

  • There is no pre-requisite for this course.

    This course however, is a pre-requisite for our Groundswell Surf Therapy Facilitator training and supports the foundation of the Community Drop in and Grief Curriculum training.

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Groundswell Surf Therapy™ Trainings

Since 2018, Groundswell Surf Therapy ™ trainings have welcomed over 700 clinicians, students, surf coaches, community leaders, ocean lovers, wave dancers, and the curious that are committed to exploring a deeper understanding of the intersection between ocean health, mental health, and community health through the trauma informed practice of “Surf Therapy”. Our trainings & workshops continue the work and development of Groundswell Community Project, the first organization to provide certified Surf Therapy Trainings accredited by a therapy association, CAMFT. We continue to grow, develop, and research their trauma informed, eco-based, nature-based, art-based & community-based surf therapy modality and provide embodied in person, virtual, and recorded trainings that have been sought after around the globe.

*All our trainings are co-facilitated by licensed clinicians and experts in the field and provide CAMFT accredited CEUs

See All Our Trainings And Workshops

Financial Assistance

We strive to provide equal access to trauma-informed surf therapy through diverse leadership, development, and facilitation around the globe. Scholarships are available to support equal access to trauma-informed training offerings.

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