Surf therapy is where patience, awareness, and self-trust begin to deepen
Salt on your skin
Your board rising and falling beneath you
The next wave on its way
The same skills that help you ride waves often carry beyond the water
For many people navigating anxiety, depression, or low self-confidence, surf therapy offers an alternative to traditional talk therapy.
Surfing asks for your full attention: breath, balance, timing. You quickly learn you can’t force a wave — they arrive in their own time and ask you to respond.
When paired with evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, surf therapy creates space for you to notice what’s happening both in the waves and within yourself.
Surf Therapy Sessions
Available throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego
Each surf therapy session is a blend of personalized surf coaching, simple mindfulness practices, and therapeutic conversation that meets you where you are. The focus is on your experience in the water and deepening your inner trust, not performance.
Each session includes:
1-hour session tailored to your surf experience level
Breathwork and grounding techniques woven into the session
Therapeutic support throughout your time in the water
All equipment needed, including a soft-top surfboard and wetsuit
Price: $150-$250 per session
Meet your surf therapy facilitators
Our team brings together clinical training and years of experience in the water, so your time in the waves is both safe and supported.
Isabel Aguirre
ACSW, Surf Facilitator
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Isabel came to this work through her own healing journey in therapy, which inspired her to support others navigating life’s highs and lows. She holds a BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s in Social Work from UCLA, with clinical experience in outpatient psychiatric care and school-based social work.
As a certified yoga instructor and lifelong ocean lover, Isabel weaves together surfing, breath, and body awareness in her sessions. Her approach helps people reconnect with their bodies and find steadiness through the natural rhythm of the water.
Sophie Pyne
LCSW, Clinical Supervisor
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Sophie is a licensed clinical social worker who’s worked in the mental health and recovery field since 2014. Her experience includes roles as a therapist, group facilitator, and executive director of a young adult mental health and substance use disorder treatment center.
Sophie discovered surfing during her own recovery journey and experienced firsthand the healing that can come from time in the water. As clinical supervisor, she supports the surf therapy team in balancing therapeutic care with the power of the ocean.
Michelle Cortrite
ACSW, Surf Facilitator
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Michelle is an Associate Clinical Social Worker based in Santa Monica with over eight years of experience supporting children and families in mental health and social welfare settings. Alongside her clinical work, she has spent years coaching swimming, surfing, and facilitating surf therapy groups.
In the water, Michelle brings together her background in therapy and her deep love for the ocean. Her sessions focus on helping people feel supported as they move through new experiences, building confidence and connection through time in the waves.
Nathaniel Mills
Surf Therapy Clinical Intern
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Nathaniel is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. His path into surf therapy grew from his own experience with anxiety and the personal transformation he found through Zen meditation, yoga, and time in the ocean.
As a surf instructor, yoga teacher, and Zen practitioner, Nathaniel brings a strong focus on mindfulness and breath practices to his sessions. He is passionate about helping people rediscover their sense of agency, calm, and connection through the experience of surfing.
From the sand to the waves, here’s how sessions unfold
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We start with a check-in on the beach, using simple grounding and mindfulness practices to help you settle into your body and mind before beginning.
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If you’re new to surfing, we’ll start by learning the fundamentals — reading the waves, balancing on the board, and moving safely through the water.
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If you’re already familiar with surfing, the experience resembles a traditional therapy setting, just in the open air with the waves beneath us.
04
Through the rhythm of the waves, we’ll take time to gently reflect on whatever surfaces, creating space for insight, awareness, and self-trust to deepen.
The rhythm of paddling, waiting, and trying again has a way of resetting your mind and body.
Out here, you meet yourself in the waves.
Some things start to shift once you paddle out
FAQs about surf therapy
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No surfing experience is necessary. Our sessions are tailored to your experience, whether you’re brand new to surfing, learning to paddle out the back, or regularly catching waves.
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It’s both! Our facilitators are experienced surfers who provide safe instruction and guidance in the water, while also bringing therapeutic support and conversation into the session.
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Surf therapy sessions are held at several beaches throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Your therapist will recommend a beach that aligns with your location and comfort level in the water. If you’re an experienced surfer with a favorite spot, we’re happy to meet you there.
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Some insurance providers may reimburse surf therapy sessions. We recommend checking with your provider to see what’s included in your coverage. If you have questions, feel free to reach out, and we’re happy to help.