Stoked On Life PB Full Presentation

PALM BEACH

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide, promote, and research ocean and surf therapy as an experiential intervention for individuals struggling with mental health and substance use disorder issues.

OUR VISION

Our vision is that all individuals have access to ocean and surf therapy for mental health and substance use disorder issues with ongoing support regardless of financial means.

OUR GOAL

We strive to provide equal access to trauma informed surf therapy through diverse leadership, development, and facilitation. As an organization, proceeds and donations will go towards funding scholarships for at-risk young adults to attend therapy surf camp.

What is Ocean & Surf therapy?

Ocean & Surf therapy is an evidence-based experiential therapy that has been shown to increase overall mental health, happiness and lead to behavioral changes.

It is an experiential intervention that combines the therapeutic elements of the ocean, incorporating aspects of mindfulness with the adventures of surfing to impact the physical and mental well-being of individuals.

Benefits of surf therapy treating mental health and substance use disorders:

• Increases mindfulness

• Builds self-efficacy

• Activates Flow state

• Reduces cravings

• Reduces anxiety/depression/PTSD sympt

• Alleviates insomnia

• Improves cognitive concentration

I' m learning to enforce my boundaries with myself and mother ocean helps me see that. I can roll with life with self-honor. " 2022

Groundswell + Color The Water SurfSister Program Participant

Research findings from Groundswell Surf Therapy Multi-Week Program

Overall the findings from this scientific study are very positive, indicating more body acceptance, greater resilience, and improved ability to properly regulate emotions following Groundswell. - Paul

and Director, University of California, San Diego

J.

Mills,

PhD, Professor

OUR PROGRAMS

Surf Therapy Sessions

Our research based 4 week or 8 week Surf Therapy programs are built to support developing sustainable ocean practice to enhance mental health and/or substance use disorder issues. During the weekly sessions, participants are invited to explore and integrate their therapy and surf goals held within the support of trained facilitators, volunteers and fellow participants. Equipment is provided and all ocean experiences are welcome. Programs are co-facilitated by licensed psychotherapists and experienced surf instructors.

Community Drop-in Session

Our drop-in, community programs are an opportunity to gather in circle with fellow surf sisters/brothers and experience the benefits of community, play, and Mother Ocean. We connect with community, set intentions, and explore how being in, on, around, and under the water can be supportive for our mental health. All ocean experiences welcome. Participants are invited to bring whatever gear needed to engage with mother ocean how they feel most comfortable. Programs are co-facilitated by licensed psychotherapists and experienced surf instructors.

Private Single Day Sessions

Catered to meet company, organization, or family needs; our single day programs are a 3 hour Surf Therapy experience that integrates practices of self love, sea love, and community through yoga, mindfulness, ocean engagement, and a surf practice. Programs are catered to the specifics groups needs and abilities and can be a great opportunity for corporate team building, family bonding, and/or a unique wellness experience for your community. Programs are co-facilitated by licensed psychotherapists and experienced surf instructors.

SURF THERAPY RESEARCH &

We are proud members of the International Surf Therapy Organization and are actively supporting the advancement of surf therapy research and best practices.

“Surf therapy has impacted my recovery journey by helping me learn what loving myself is. Helping me learn how to connect with other likeminded women and helping me realize we are not alone in this world. Allowing me to connect with Mother Nature in ways I never have. Also allowing me to tap into my inner child and I am very playful now.” - 2022

SurfSister Program Participant

“Felt wonderful to paddle out with such a supportive group of individuals. We laughed and cheered each other on. Time on the beach furthered our commitment to nurturing ourselves in relation to mother ocean. I am sad our time is over so quickly but hopeful for community drop-in days for continued connection.” - 2022 Groundswell + Santa Cruz Surf Therapy Participant

The Physical and Mental Benefits of Surfing

Surfing is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, balance, and coordination. By engaging in regular physical activity, individuals in recovery can improve their overall health and reduce their risk of relapse. Additionally, the repetitive movements involved in surfing can have a meditative effect, helping individuals to focus on the present moment and reduce stress and anxiety

Surfing also provides a sense of accomplishment and mastery, which can help individuals in recovery build self-esteem and confidence. The thrill of riding a wave and the connection to the ocean can also provide a sense of peace and perspective, helping individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

How Surfing Can Help Build Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and overcome challenges, which is crucial for individuals in recovery. Surfing can help individuals build resilience in several ways, including:

1 Overcoming fear: Surfing requires individuals to face their fears and overcome challenges, such as navigating rough waters and riding big waves. This can help individuals in recovery develop a sense of courage and determination and apply these skills to other areas of their lives.

2 Developing problem-solving skills: Surfing requires individuals to think creatively and quickly, as they navigate changing conditions and make decisions on the fly. These skills can be applied to other areas of life, helping individuals to find solutions to the challenges they face in recovery.

3 Building a supportive community: Surfing often involves participating in a community of individuals who share a passion for the sport. This can provide a sense of belonging and support, which is crucial for individuals in recovery who may have strained relationships with friends and family.

4. Mindfulness: Surfing requires individuals to engage in being fully present by aligning your mind, body, and breath to paddle and pop-up at the exact moment needed to drop in and ride the wave. Each wave is a new opportunity to focus on connecting to the water and not thinking about the past or future. This is mindfulness in its purest form.

5. Activates Flow state: engaging the entire body and mind being fully present in activity to it’s full enjoyment. “BLUE MIND” by Wallace J Nichols is also known as flow state and being in and around blue ocean waters. (red mind = anxiety state)

The Path to Lasting Recovery

Overcoming addiction is a lifelong journey, and surf therapy can provide a supportive and empowering environment for individuals in recovery. By incorporating surfing into their recovery journey, individuals can find a sense of purpose, build resilience, and achieve lasting recovery.

Surfing is a powerful tool for individuals in recovery, offering physical and mental benefits that can help support and sustain recovery. By facing challenges and building resilience, surfers can find a sense of purpose and meaning, and achieve lasting recovery

It can be challenging for treatment programs to fully engage their clients throughout the entire treatment process. We developed a surf therapy program for addiction treatment centers that solves that problem by getting clients excited and engaged in their treatment. Your clients will get fast results with coping skills, and your center will have a better client satisfaction rating overall. You will even attract more potential clients by utilizing our services.

How Does the Client Benefit?

• Learn to challenge their comfort zone and problem solve.

• They experience a hands-on mindfulness meditation session which creates new healthy neural pathways.

• Reduce cravings, anxiety, and depression.

• Feel more empowered and self-confident.

• •Feel a sense of purpose and connection in their recovery.

• Get an opportunity to open-up in an alternative therapeutic environment.

• Become excited about their recovery process and lifestyle changes.

How Does your Center Benefit?

• We will help your team in providing outsourced experiential therapy that treats the whole individual.

• You will get a higher satisfaction rating from your clients which leads to better reviews of your services.

• You can market our services on your site to attract more clients.

• If needed, we can complete all the charting.

What a Surf Therapy Session Looks Like?

Sessions are 90 min in length and take place on the beach and partial in ocean (optional). No ocean or surfing experience needed and going into ocean is optional.

Stand Up Paddleboaring (SUP) is an alternative therapeutic activity during inclement weather and is also great for those who are not quite ready to face the waves or the open ocean.

Pre-ocean Therapy Session (30 mins):

• Mindfulness walk

• Intention setting/object on beach to represent intention

• Grounding guidelines – I statements

• Land lesson – 2 activities of embodied learning with therapeutic topics (ex. Strengths, boundaries, growth mindset, connection, mindfulness, falling and rising, self-esteem, etc)

• Surf safety water instruction

Ocean Session (30 mins):

• In ocean with instructor experiential therapy

Post – Ocean Therapy Session (30 mins):

After ocean experience, clients will gather back on beach and will be served fresh and healthy juices and snacks. A tent is pro chairs, beach mat and towels are provided as well. Cold water, sunscreen, and shark band are also provided prior and during session.

• I statements

• Land lesson – process and embodied learning the experience of surfing related to earlier to land lesson

• Share intention & object with group

• Closing shares

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is your program evidence-based?

Yes, International Surf Therapy Organization’s mission is to provide and facilitate research on surf therapy. ISTO works to develop industry standards for the practice. SOL is a proud member of ISTO and contributes to the collective research for surf therapy. Surf therapy is used in 13 countries across the globe.

Q: How long are the sessions?

Sessions are 90 minutes in length.

• 30 min pre–ocean therapy embodied portion and water safety instructions

• 30 min in ocean experiential session

• 30 min post–ocean therapy processing session under tent (towels, water, healthy snacks and fresh juices are provided)

Q: Do you need ocean or surf experience?

No, you don’t need any surf experience and any level of ocean experience is welcome. We also incorporate paddle boards into our program on days when the ocean is not optimal.

Q. Are your surf safety instructors trained in CPR and water safety?

Yes. All our surf instructors are certified and have extensive water experience with a history of lifeguarding or surfing as well as being CPR certified.

Q. What do you do if the ocean is rough or not optimal?

We incorporate paddleboards into our program as we offer ocean therapy as well. There are many therapeutic benefits from experiencing being in, around and on the ocean. Paddleboarding is another tool in our toolbox to utilize ocean therapy.

We also engage in on-land instruction doing ocean conservation projects that include beach cleanup and we incorporate this into a therapeutic activity that relates to recovery or mental health,

Q. What does a client bring to the session?

Clients will need to wear a swimsuit or water wear, sandals or water shoes, a hat (if needed), and apply sunscreen prior to the session. SOL spf 50 swim shirt/rash guard will be provided as well as sunscreen, water, and towels. There will be a tent for shade with chairs to rest.

Q. Are the sessions covered or reimbursed through health insurance?

We do not submit to health insurance. However, for individuals, we can provide a superbill to submit to insurance as this is considered group therapy. For treatment centers that may choose to submit sessions from reimbursement, we will pass on information from ISTO to provide tips to increase the likelihood of coverage. Agencies are getting insurance to reimburse. Please notify us ahead of time so we can record appropriate clinical notes. Also, the fee we charge includes clinical notes from the mental health professional.

Q. Does your organization have liability insurance?

Yes, we have $1,000,000 worth of coverage and can provide this certificate upon request.

Q. How are releases handled?

For individual programs, we will provide releases to be signed prior to the session start date with your registration paperwork.

For treatment centers, we will provide your center with a release indemnifying us and your facility. We ask that you put this release in your “in-take” packet so that every client sign it.

Please let us know if you have any other questions and we will be happy to address so you can help yourself or your clients get STOKED ON LIFE!

Session Pricing and what is included:

Treatment Center Program - Recovery Surf Therapy

We charge on a sliding scale (see below) based on the size of the client group. Each person is approx. $165 - $190 per person. Your fee includes a Stoked on Life rash guard, surf journal, 90 min session with a licensed therapist (documentation included), surf instruction with certified instructors, healthy snacks (acai bowls, fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices), use of Shark Banz, towels provided, unlimited bottled water, chairs and tent for shade.

This is an experiential therapy group engaging the client's whole body, mind, and spirit that is being provided in a luxury setting on the beach. This is worth the investment!

Other Treatment Centers that offer surf therapy:

• All Points North Malibu - IOP 3 hours surf therapy weekly

• Seasons Malibu

• Oceanside Malibu

• Serenity Malibu

• Rise in Malibu

• The Meadows Malibu

• Paradigm Treatment