Nature Based Group Therapy

What is group nature-based therapy really all about? It's about coming back home! It's about decolonizing therapy and the power of healing being done in nature and with the community. And how this supports the therapist!  

NOTE: Psychotherapists are not licensed to prescribe medication or provide medical advice in the state of California. Always consult your medical provider.

Natalie, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, studied Expressive Arts Therapy under Graciela Bottoni in Buenos Aires and trained in Berkeley with the IEATA symposium 2010. She has found the Expressive Arts, including surfing and outdoor therapy, to be transformative for individuals and communities overcoming trauma, abuse, and intergenerational violence. Her therapy career has includes: working as a culture shock therapist for young expats in Buenos Aires, running expressive art therapy intensives for survivors of trafficking with IJM and Generate Hope, using yoga and art therapy to support teachers and students in the San Diego School District, and working as a social worker implementing the arts at San Diego Rescue Mission. These experiences, trainings, and mentorships plus her own personal healing through her connection with the sea inspired her to found Groundswell Community Project, a San Diego based 5013c that facilitates surf therapy for women and girls overcoming abuse, addiction, and trauma around the globe.

Groundswell Community Project became a member of International Surf Therapy org in 2018 to help contribute the global research and building of best practices for the new field of surf therapy. Natalie noticed the great need for trauma informed safe and brave spaces in the surf therapy and non-profit outdoors therapy field; so created 3 levels of training to support volunteers, facilitators, and non-profit founders in this essential work. Her hope is that these trainings will support increased access to awareness and education of the impact of personal and intergenerational trauma and how surfing and the outdoors can be a transformational space for individuals and communities to find their healing, power, and belonging.