About the Institute

Groundswell Institute thrives to provide safer and braver spaces for both individuals, the community, and practitioners to dive into deeper relationship with our body, nature, and community. We do this through clinical therapy, trainings, retreats, and workshops.

Groundswell Community Project is proud to be the first organization to offer certified Surf Therapy Trainings accredited by a professional therapy association. All of our trainings are rooted in trauma-aware somatic practices, expressive arts, ecotherapy, play therapy, and community healing modalities. They are led by licensed mental health professionals from diverse cultural, clinical, and lived experiences.

Since 2018, we’ve welcomed over 500 clinicians, students, surf coaches, community leaders, ocean lovers, wave dancers, and curious changemakers—each committed to exploring the vital connection between ocean health, mental health, and community well-being.

The future of Surf Therapy is here. Come dive deeper with us.

 
 
 

Groundswell Surf Therapy™ Trainings

What is it?

Groundswell’s Surf Therapy™ model is rooted in trauma-informed art therapy, somatic therapy, ecotherapy, feminist therapy theory, positive psychology, and play therapy with Mother Ocean as our main mentor, guide, and co-facilitator. Going to the ocean for healing has been practiced by our ancestors around the globe for centuries and Groundswell was birthed to help us remember and honor these ancient roots and build a bridge between Western and Eastern healing practices and ways of being.  Our Groundswell Surf Therapy™ trainings provides tangible tools, curriculums, and support for those looking to hold trauma-informed surf therapy spaces for their unique communities

  • Trauma-informed Volunteer Training

  • Surf Therapy For Trauma Recovery Training Level 1

  • Surf Therapy Facilitator Training Level 2

  • Community Surf Therapy Curriculum for mental health and grief

Who is it for?

Clinicians, community leaders, students, volunteers, and supporters seeking a deeper understanding of Surf Therapy for trauma transformation. Upon completion, participants receive a Groundswell Surf Therapy™ stamp, certificate of completion, and CEU units to celebrate their commitment to holding psychological safe space for their clients and community in the sea and beyond.

 
 

Groundswell Collective Workshops

What is it?

A collection of body based, art based, nature based workshops co-facilitated by experts in their fields, exploring everything from identity and inclusion to grief, motherhood, and chronic pain.

Some of the workshops include:

  • Becoming a Wave Dancer with Imani founder Surf Girls Jamaica

  • Surf Therapy For Chronic Pain with Tracey Chester founder of SD Pain and Trauma Institute

  • Healing Touch With Tess Kelly founder of Alma

  • Sex Trafficking with Susan Munsey founder of Generate Hope

Who is it for?

For therapists, students, surf coaches, ocean lovers, and the curious. These workshops utilize experiential embodied learning, story telling, somatic and art based tools as we dive into the diversity surf therapy.

 
 

GROUNDSWELL QUIVER: A MENTAL HEALTH TOOL KIT

“You are not a drop in the ocean but the entire ocean in one drop, everything you need is already within you!’ -Rumi

What is it?

The Groundswell Quiver is a selection of short videos sharing easy to access mental health tools that access the medicine and wisdom of your body and natures body to support you in emotional regulation as we surf the waves of life together.

  • Wave breath

  • Shaka breath

  • Ocean Mandala

  • Gratitude Practice

  • Waves of love

  • Wave of Tolerance