If you live with trauma, the idea of healing in a clinical office can feel distant from the way your body actually holds fear, tension, and memories. That is part of why people are asking a very specific question: Is surf therapy an evidence-based approach to trauma treatment?
The short answer is that surf therapy has a growing and promising evidence base for mental health and trauma-related symptoms, but it is best understood as an adjunct to established trauma treatments rather than a stand-alone replacement.
The research is encouraging, the field is maturing, and early results support surf therapy as one component of a trauma-informed care plan. At the same time, surf therapy does not yet have the large, long-term clinical trials that support trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), EMDR, or prolonged exposure.
In this article, Medical Device News Magazine helps you understand where surf therapy fits on the evidence spectrum can help people, families, and treatment centers make thoughtful decisions about its role in trauma care.
What Is Surf Therapy and How Is It Used in Mental Health Care?
Surf therapy is more than simply going surfing. In most programs, it is a structured, trauma-informed intervention that combines surf instruction, time in the ocean, psychoeducation, mindfulness or somatic techniques, and supportive group processes facilitated by trained staff.
Programs frequently support people with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or complex trauma, including military veterans, first responders, young people with adverse childhood experiences, or adults with co-occurring substance use.
Many surf therapy initiatives are organized through networks such as the International Surf Therapy Organization, which promotes shared standards, ethics, and outcome measurement. This matters because researchers are studying structured, multi-session protocols, not one-off recreational surf lessons.
Why Evidence-Based Care Matters in Trauma Treatment
Trauma affects brain function, stress physiology, sleep, memory, and relationships. Effective trauma care must be grounded in approaches proven to reduce symptoms.
Evidence-based treatments typically include:
• clearly defined protocols
• multiple randomized or controlled trials
• long-term follow-up
• independent replication
Surf therapy currently fits into an “emerging evidence-based” category. Studies show meaningful improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, but the research base is smaller and more varied than the literature for traditional trauma therapies.
What the Research Says About Surf Therapy and Trauma
Studies in Adults and Veterans
A growing body of studies has evaluated surf therapy for people with trauma histories. A 2024 systematic review found that surf therapy was associated with significant improvements in anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, noting the need for larger and more rigorous trials.
Several studies with military service members indicate promising results. One randomized controlled trial comparing surf therapy with hike therapy found that both improved depressive symptoms, but surf participants experienced additional gains in positive affect and functioning. Other evaluations of veteran surf therapy programs reported reductions in PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and overall distress.
Research in Children and Adolescents
Pilot randomized trials in youth populations have shown feasibility and improvements in emotional and behavioral challenges among children and adolescents. While small, these studies support surf therapy as meaningful for young people with trauma exposure.
Overall, these findings support surf therapy as a beneficial intervention, especially in groups with trauma-related symptoms. However, the evidence is still maturing and does not yet position surf therapy as a stand-alone trauma treatment.
How Blue Space and the Ocean Support Mental Health
“Blue space” refers to natural water environments such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Systematic reviews show that spending time in blue space can lower stress, improve mood, and support overall well-being.
Research suggests several mechanisms:
• increased physical activity
• sensory calming
• reduced psychological stress
• social connection
• feelings of freedom and spaciousness
For people living with trauma, the sensory qualities of the ocean and the immersive focus required for surfing may help regulate the nervous system. Surf therapy programs intentionally leverage these elements to support grounding, mindfulness, and emotional regulation.
How Surf Therapy Supports Trauma Recovery
Somatic Regulation
Trauma is stored in the body. The healing nature of surfing and the ocean involves rhythmic movement, focus, and breath, helping people reconnect with physical sensations in safe, supported ways.
Mastery and Agency
Standing up on a board, paddling through waves, or simply progressing over time can restore a sense of competence and capability that trauma often takes away.
Social Connection
Group surf therapy creates shared challenges and post-session discussions that reduce isolation, which is a common experience among trauma survivors.
Present-Moment Focus
Attending to waves, balance, and movement helps interrupt cycles of rumination and intrusive thoughts.
These are not substitutes for clinical trauma processing, but they can enhance readiness and resilience.
Where Surf Therapy Fits in a Trauma Treatment Plan
Surf therapy works best as an adjunct, not a replacement, for established trauma treatments such as EMDR or TF-CBT.
A comprehensive trauma plan may include:
• weekly individual therapy
• possible medication management
• participation in a multi-week surf therapy group
• skills practice in regulated movement
Surf therapy can help reinforce grounding and coping skills taught in therapy while motivating people who struggle to engage in traditional treatment environments.
Surf therapy is not appropriate as the sole intervention for individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms, severe trauma responses, active suicidality, or uncontrolled substance use. Programs must include screening criteria, risk-management procedures, and trauma-trained staff.
Common Questions about Surf Therapy and Trauma
Is surf therapy evidence-based or mostly recreational?
It is evidence-informed and structured, not recreational, but it is still an emerging modality. It should complement, not replace, core trauma therapies.
Can surf therapy replace my trauma therapist?
In most cases, no. Surf therapy can support healing, but should be integrated with guidance from a licensed mental health provider.
Who is a good candidate?
People with trauma symptoms who can safely participate in physical activity and who benefit from movement-based or nature-based intervention styles.
Who might not be a good fit?
Individuals with severe medical conditions, high suicide risk, unmanaged substance use, or strong water-based fears may need alternative outdoor therapies or preparatory work.
Considerations for Choosing A Treatment Center
Treatment centers, like a top surf therapy rehab in California, should offer:
• Partnerships with licensed trauma clinicians
• Training staff in trauma-informed communication
•Consistent measurement and documentation of outcomes
•Ethical, culturally respectful programming.
What Still Needs Further Study
The field continues to evolve, and researchers are exploring:
• Which components of surf therapy drive the most benefit
• how long improvements last
• How surf therapy compares with other outdoor interventions
• how to adapt programs for people with disabilities
• how surf therapy can reflect cultural and community relationships to the ocean
Larger, multi-site trials and standardized measures will strengthen the evidence base further.
Choosing Surf Therapy for Trauma Treatment
Surf therapy sits at the intersection of movement, nature, social connection, and trauma-informed practice. Current research shows clear improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms across several populations, especially veterans, youth, and adults with trauma histories. At the same time, surf therapy is still an emerging field with a need for larger clinical trials.
For people and families considering it, the most accurate answer to the question “Is surf therapy an evidence-based approach to trauma treatment?” is that surf therapy is a promising and evidence-informed adjunctive intervention. It can add meaningful benefits when integrated into a broader, clinically guided trauma treatment plan.
Those considering surf therapy should consult with a licensed clinician, evaluate personal needs and safety considerations, and choose programs that follow trauma-informed, structured, and professionally supervised models.
