Surf Therapy for Grief

Groundswell’s Surf Therapy For Grief© Curriculum is rooted in trauma informed somatic, eco, and community based therapy models. We honor the importance of healing & grieving in community and this Blue Science and trauma informed curriculum training provides you tangible tools to support your community to come together to be seen, heard, and honored in their grief at any wild water.

This curriculum has been used around the globe and sought out by the US Surgeon General in 2022 as a response to the impact of isolation & grief due to the pandemic. Our hope is that this curriculum and training can equip you with the tools and templates to support your unique community in navigating their grief through relationship with the sea, community and their body.

  • 150 USD

  • 4

  • 4 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

    Tracey Chester LMFT: founder of the San Diego Pain & Trauma Institute, Tracey specializes in grief and all its forms. She works from a narrative, trauma informed lens and has been partnering with Groundswell to write curriculum and provide Surf Therapy for both Grief and Chronic Illness since 2020

    • 1 year access to the community learning platform

    • Groundswell Surf Therapy For Grief© curriculum training materials

    • San Diego Pain & Trauma Institute Grief 101 training

    • 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

  • There are no pre-requisite for this training. However the level 1 Surf Therapy For Trauma Recovery training can provide a deeper foundation for the what and why behind surf therapy.

    We also recommend partnering with your local lifeguards or getting training in ocean safety to support the physical safety of your community best

    • Psychoeducation of grief: it’s types and how it manifests in the body

    • History of grief practices and exploration of your own community grief practices

    • Blue Science & cultural history of how surf therapy and ocean spaces support grief

    • Tangible eco and body based tools and rituals to support grief in community

    • Tangible tools to support facilitation of eco based grief circles

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.