Ocean Therapy
Ocean Therapy connects people struggling with mental, physical and emotional distress and disability to the natural healing power of the ocean and water sports with a professional guide.
Ocean Therapy for Chronic Pain
Workshop:
Tuesday, November 12th 10:30AM
Tuesday, November 19 10:30AM
Our ocean therapy program returns! Our preliminary evidence with our research study Project Stoke showed a 50% decrease in pain after getting out of the water. These groups are designed for those suffering from chronic pain and invislible illnesses and focuses on bringing a space together for those to share, witness, and experience the ocean through surfing, boogie boarding, swimming, and splashing. Our founder, Tracey Chester, adapted the program from the Groundswell Community Project, to meet the specific needs of those suffering from chronic pain. Whether you dip your toes in the water, or stand up on a surf board, our professional therapists and ocean safety volunteers. Surf Trauma Certified clinicians will be on site to help support you with any physical limitations you may pose.
There are many different types of chronic pain we accept for this group. The most common we have treated include: back pain, knee pain, joint inflammation, headaches/migraines, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, and others. If you have a chronic pain not listed, and are interested in the group, please contact us to determine your eligibility! In some cases, we offer scholarships to waive copays
Sunset Grief Circles
Sessions are TBD
The grief curriculum that was the foundation of the Waves of Grief circles was co-developed by our founder, Tracey Chester. Tracey is a certified a grief and trauma therapist. These evenings will be a special is time on the sand and in the sea to navigate waves of grief and loss together. Grief is a normal, universal, and individual experience in response to loss. Some people experience grief as persistent overwhelm, disconnection from daily life, despair, as well as other physical and emotional manifestations. The loss you find yourself grieving doesn’t have to be concrete like the death of a loved one or the ending of an important relationship. People also grieve things like the loss of independence through disability or a terminal diagnosis—even the loss of the life you imagined for yourself before a medical trauma or other life changes.
To participate in our Grief Circle and process the meaning of loss you’ve experienced, it does not necessarily have to be of a person. Other losses include the loss of our way of life, of jobs, friendships, the environment. PTI is actively combatting the grief we feel by purposefully creating a community of women and men, to navigate these times.
If you or anyone you know is interested in a Grief Gr0up click the link below
Our Facllitators
Tracey Chester is our founder and expert in chronic pain and illness. She conducted a joint prellimary study with USC called Projet Stoke, where initial results showed a significant decrease in pain and isolation. She is excited to continue to collect data with our new upcoming groups. Tracey earned a certificate for surf instruction with AMPSURF, which serves the disabled community.
Natalie Small, LMFT is a leader and creator in the world of Surf Therapy. She created Groundswell Community Project where her work has been and continues to be replicated world wide. This curriculum has been adapted for the chronic pain group. In addition Natalie is a sailing captain and an expert in art, play and somatic therapy.
Pain Trauma Institute is a Wave of Excellence Partner with Groundswell Community Project , where Natalie Small created the gold standard for surf therapy models. Together we hold spaces together, adapt the surf therapy model for chronic pain, and we are together working with USC, as part of Project Stoke
