As a counsellor in Margaret River, I often explore how surfing can support mental health. ‘Surfing is medicine’, as it regulates of the nervous system, builds emotional resilience, and creates a deeper sense of connection to self and others. We can call this surf therapy.
Here’s why surf therapy is so much more than a sport. It’s a therapeutic practice in motion, and it’s the perfect complement to counselling and psychology in Margaret River.
🌊 1. Surf Therapy Regulates the Nervous System
The ocean is a powerful source for calming an overactive nervous system. This is incredibly beneficial for people managing anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress. Surfing activates what’s known as the “ventral vagal state”. This is the part of the nervous system responsible for feeling safe, grounded, and socially connected.
- There are many aspects of surfing that can be incorporated into psychological approaches. DBT incorporates intense exercise and paced breathing to reduce stress.
- The mammalian dive reflex is activated through cold water immersion, which slows the heart rate and shifts the body into a more regulated state.
- Simply being near water — The “blue space” is known as simply being near the water. It is linked to reductions in cortisol, which is the body’s primary stress hormone.
Surfing in doesn’t just stoke the ‘stoke’. More, it literally helps reset your nervous system. It’s the perfect addition to mental health services in Margaret River.
🌿 2. Surf Therapy Supports a Healthy Identity
Therapy in Margaret River involves re/discovering a sense of self after trauma and adversity. Surfing helps to reconnect us with parts of ourselves that hold value, meaning, and purpose.
- Surfing provides a reference point on how to relate to ourselves. It gives us an opportunity to explore safety, bravery, and self-compassion.
- Like doing counselling in Margaret River, it’s an opportunity to connect to internal states such as intuition, empathy, flow, equilibrium, and intentional values.
Therapeutically, surfing can support clients in rewriting internal narratives towards more positive identities. I’ve also written about it here. Mental health support in Margaret River isn’t always found in an office!
🌞 3. Develops Connection and Belonging
Surf culture in Margaret River is deeply rooted in community. From pre-dawn surf checks at Lefties carpark to chatting on the sand post-sesh, these micro-interactions build social fabric — a critical ingredient for healing.
- For FIFO workers, isolated parents, or those feeling disconnected, going surfing or simply being in the water can reduce feelings of loneliness and alienation.
- Surfing also offers intergenerational connection. Groms, elders and ‘granny gromets’ share many of the same break, waves, and wisdom.
- Group surf therapy can tap further into shared connection. Check out FlowState.
South West counsellors could benefit from exploring these possibilities with clients experiencing anxiety and depression.
🌀 4. Embraces Uncertainty and Surrender
The ocean is always changing – fluid and dynamic. No two waves are the same – it’s a skate park with big personality. Surfing teaches people to move with uncertainty – not against it. This is a valuable lesson for anyone navigating anxiety and depression.
- Riding a wave cultivates mindfulness, as you’re forced to be present, moment to moment, or risk falling off the wave.
- Wipeouts create opportunities in teaching emotional regulation and acceptance — how to stay grounded in discomfort and knowing that you’ll be okay.
This mirrors therapeutic processes in urge surfing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: not about controlling every wave, but learning to ride the discomfort. Urge surfing is a valuable metaphor to psychotherapy in Margaret River.
🧘♂️ 5. Surf Therapy as Co-Therapist
Counselling in Margaret River has a co-therapist – some of the most pristine coastlines in the world. What can the environment teach us about ourselves?
- Consider what mother-nature can teach us about conservation, resilience, creation, dearth and abundance.
- Consider that we are not separate from nature, but part of something larger, that’s interrelated. Protect the environment and she will help to protect you.
🌊 Final Thoughts
At Blake Johns Counselling in Margaret River, I often explore how clients can integrate surf, water and nature into their trauma-informed mental health journey. Whether you’re new to surfing or a lifelong local, your time in the water can become a deep part of your healing practices. Feel free to reach out if you’re looking for counselling in Margaret River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find mental health services in Margaret River that integrate surfing?
There are several options:
Blake Johns Counselling has more of a therapy focus
Margaret River Surf School runs a number of programs that focus on the nervous system
The Resilience Lab run similar but slightly different programs
FlowState offers programs for teens run by occupational therapists
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