Surf Therapy for Teens in California
Surf therapy blends physical activity, nature, and therapeutic support to help teens navigate mental health challenges in a way that feels engaging and empowering. For many young people, traditional therapy settings can feel overwhelming or disconnected from daily life. Surf therapy offers an alternative approach that meets teens where they are, both emotionally and physically. At Key Healthcare, surf therapy is offered as part of our comprehensive substance use recovery and mental health treatment programs in Southern California.
Table of Contents
What Is Surf Therapy?
Surf therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses surfing sessions in a natural environment, typically the ocean, to support mental well-being, emotional regulation, and social connection. Surf therapy programs are often informed by research and models developed by organizations such as the International Surf Therapy Organization, which has explored how surf programs can promote psychological and emotional health across many differing populations, from adolescents to adults.
At Key Healthcare, we know surf therapy is not a replacement for clinical treatment. Instead, it complements traditional therapy by incorporating movement, nature, and experiential learning into the healing process.
Surf Therapy Programs and Adolescent Mental Health
Surf therapy programs have been studied across a wide range of groups, including institutionalized young people, adults with mental health conditions, and even active duty service members experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. Research and qualitative analysis suggest that surf therapy for people with mental health conditions offers emotional regulation, stress reduction, and social integration.
For adolescents, surf therapy can be particularly effective because it:
- Encourages active engagement
- Reduces stress hormones through physical activity
- Supports emotional resilience in a non-clinical setting
- Helps teens build confidence through learning a new skill
By combining exercise, nature, and therapeutic elements, surf therapy supports both psychological outcomes and physical health.
How Surf Therapy Works
Surf therapy sessions are structured and supervised to ensure safety, accessibility, and therapeutic value. Each session typically takes place at the beach and includes guidance from a surf instructor, along with support from personal staff and clinical professionals.
Sessions may include:
- Learning basic surfing and water safety skills
- Guided surfing in small group settings
- Reflection and discussion facilitated by staff or a social worker
- Team-based activities that promote social skills and cooperation
Teens are supported at every level, regardless of swimming or surfing experience. Programs are adapted to each participant’s abilities and comfort level.
The Role of the Surf Instructor and Support Team
The surf instructor plays a key role in teaching technique, safety, and confidence in the water. In collaboration with therapists, doctors, and mental health professionals, instructors help ensure sessions remain supportive and focused on well-being promotion rather than performance.
Key Healthcare staff and clinicians support teens emotionally throughout the session, helping them process experiences and connect lessons from the ocean back to daily life and treatment goals.
Ride the Waves Toward Healing
Teen surfer therapy offers a powerful, nature-based approach to emotional growth and recovery. If your teen is struggling with mental health challenges, our surf therapy program can help them build confidence, reduce stress, and connect with themselves in a supportive, ocean-centered environment. Contact us today to learn more or get started.
Therapeutic Benefits of Surf Therapy
Surf therapy offers a range of therapeutic benefits that support recovery and both physical and mental health, extending well beyond the time spent in the water. By combining physical activity, structured support, and the natural environment, surf therapy helps teens engage in healing in a way that feels active, grounding, and meaningful.
Mental and Emotional Well Being
Spending time in nature while engaging in surfing sessions can help reduce symptoms of teens with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm. The ocean environment, combined with movement and focused activity, supports emotional regulation, stress relief, and overall mental well-being by helping teens release tension and regulate stress hormones.
Physical Activity and Sleep Quality
Surfing is a full-body form of exercise that activates multiple muscle groups and other physiological processes. This physical engagement supports overall physical health and can contribute to improved sleep quality, which is often disrupted in teens experiencing mental health conditions or high stress levels.
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Learning to surf and successfully navigating waves demonstrates how to help a teenager with low self-esteem through mastery of a new skill. Progress happens gradually, reinforcing a sense of capability, resilience, and accomplishment within a supportive therapeutic setting rather than a performance-driven environment.
Social Skills and Community Connection
Group surf therapy sessions encourage social bonding, teamwork, and cooperation. Teens have opportunities to connect with peers, build friendships, and practice social skills in a natural, shared experience. This sense of community supports social integration and helps reduce feelings of isolation.
Mindfulness, Focus, and Presence
Surfing requires attention to the body, the ocean, and the present moment. This focus helps teens step away from rumination and persistent stress, promoting mindfulness therapy and emotional awareness. Over time, these skills can translate into improved coping and regulation in daily life.
Our goal in developing Key Healthcare was to create programs that gave teens the guidance they needed to draw on their strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling happy lives. Based on our own experiences, we believe that everyone has the ability to change if given the proper structure and connection
Ryan Blivas & Evan Powell
Founders of Key Healthcare
Surf Therapy and Mental Health Conditions
Surf therapy has been explored as part of a teen treatment program for those experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. While outcomes vary, researchers and organizations continue to study how surf therapy may reduce specific symptoms and support psychological healing when integrated into structured treatment.
At Key Healthcare, surf therapy is used thoughtfully as part of a broader mental health treatment plan, never as a standalone solution.
Surf Therapy for Substance Use Recovery
Surf therapy can be a meaningful part of substance use recovery for teens, particularly when traditional therapy alone feels limiting or overwhelming. For many adolescents, substance misuse is closely connected to stress, emotional dysregulation, trauma, or difficulty managing intense feelings. Surf therapy offers a physical, experiential way to address these challenges while reinforcing recovery-focused skills.
Through structured surfing sessions, teens engage in physical activity that supports stress reduction and emotional regulation without the use of substances. The combination of exercise, focus, and exposure to the natural environment helps regulate stress hormones, improve mood, and promote mental well-being. These physiological and psychological benefits can reduce cravings and support healthier coping responses during recovery.
Surf therapy also supports recovery by helping teens positively reconnect with their bodies. Learning to surf builds awareness, confidence, and respect for personal limits, which can be especially important for teens rebuilding trust in themselves after substance use. The process of mastering a new skill reinforces self-esteem and creates opportunities for success that are not tied to substances or avoidance behaviors.
When integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that might pull from our teen treatment programs, including residential, partial hospitalization, or our IOP programs, surf therapy becomes a supportive tool for long-term healing. It helps teens practice emotional regulation, manage stress, and develop healthier routines they can carry into daily life, reinforcing recovery both during treatment and beyond.
Safety, Structure, and Access From Personal Staff
Safety is central to all surf therapy programs. Sessions are carefully planned with attention to:
- Ocean conditions and weather
- Participant’s swimming ability
- Group size and supervision
- Physical risks and individual needs
Teens are never pushed beyond their comfort level, and adaptations are made to ensure access for participants with different physical or emotional needs.
It might feel like a big step, but remember why you're here—you’re looking for a way forward.
Request a Call
Is your teen struggling with mental health or substance use challenges?
Request a confidential call today – our team will walk you through the admissions process, treatment options, costs, and what to expect. Reaching out is a powerful first step toward a healthier future for your teen and your family.
"*" indicates required fields
Insurances we Accept
Frequently Asked Questions About Surf Therapy for Teens
We have the answers to your questions, so you can make the most-informed decisions for your teen’s care.
We have the answers to your questions, so you can make the most-informed decisions for your teen’s care.
Who leads surf programs?
Surf therapy programs are led by trained surf instructors working alongside personal staff, mental health professionals, and clinical team members. This multidisciplinary approach ensures both physical safety in the water and emotional support throughout each session.
Is surf therapy safe for teens with no surfing experience?
Yes. Surf therapy sessions are designed for beginners and adapted to each participant’s abilities. Safety is a top priority, with instructors providing swimming guidance, equipment support, and close supervision. Teens are never pressured to perform beyond their comfort level.
How does surf therapy benefit physical and mental health together?
Surfing engages the body through exercise while also influencing stress hormones and other physiological processes. This combination can support physical health, improve sleep quality, and positively impact psychological health when included as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
What role does the ocean and nature play in surf therapy?
The ocean provides a calming, sensory-rich setting that supports relaxation and focus. Exposure to nature during surf therapy sessions may enhance emotional regulation, reduce stress, and promote well-being in ways that feel different from traditional therapy settings.
Is surf therapy only used for teens?
While surf therapy has been studied across many populations, including adults and active duty service members with post-traumatic stress disorder, programs at Key Healthcare are specifically designed to support adolescents and young people facing mental health challenges.
Can surf therapy be part of a larger recovery or mental health treatment plan?
Yes. Surf therapy is most effective when integrated into a broader mental health treatment program. At Key Healthcare, surf therapy complements individual therapy, group therapy, and family support to promote overall improvement and long-term healing.
Sources
Carneiro, L., Clemente, F. M., Claudino, J. G., Ferreira, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., & Afonso, J. (2024). Surf therapy for people with mental health disorders: A systematic review of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 24(1), Article 376. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04674-0
Olive, L., Dober, M., Mazza, C., Turner, A., Mohebbi, M., Berk, M., & Telford, R. (2023). Surf therapy for improving child and adolescent mental health: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 65, 102349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102349
Podavkova, T., & Dolejs, M. (2022). Surf therapy—Qualitative analysis: Organization and structure of surf programs and requirements, demands, and expectations of personal staff. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042299
Learn More About Surf Therapy for Teens at Key Healthcare
At Key Healthcare, surf therapy is thoughtfully integrated into select teen treatment programs in Southern California as part of a comprehensive, recovery-focused approach to mental health and substance use care. If your teen is struggling and traditional therapy has felt difficult or disconnected, surf therapy may offer a meaningful way forward.
Contact us to learn more about surf therapy at Key Healthcare and how our programs can support your teen’s mental health and recovery.
If you are ready to get help for your child, we are here to help. Feel free to call us, email, or fill out our contact form to get started today. You can also verify your insurance to begin the process.
Check Insurance
Structure, support, and a path forward. See how programs at Key Healthcare help teens thrive.
Take the first step by verifying your insurance today and finding out what coverage options are available for your family. Our team will review your benefits and help you understand how to access the care your teen needs.
Author
Ryan, Blivas
Medically reviewed by
Elnaz Mayeh PhD, LMFT
As Executive Director, Dr. Mayeh is dedicated to maintaining Key Healthcare’s reputation as a premier adolescent treatment center, fostering a stable and supportive environment for both clients and staff. Her leadership focuses on clinical integrity, staff development, and creating a culture of compassion and growth.
Share Program
Is your teen struggling?
Call today for a confidential conversation with a teen treatment specialist—we’re here to help.
Programs
Therapies
Check Insurance
Check if your insurance will cover the cost of treatment.
"*" indicates required fields
- Your information is secure & protected by HIPPA.