Morocco 15 - 22 June 2024

Building Resilience

# # # The life-changing, transformative, evidence-based therapeutic retreats are set-up to help clients flourish and grow.

Overview

Unlock your highest potential through the science of flourishing. Our life-changing program fuses evidence-based psychology, embodied action, and the power of flow to help you significantly impact your life strategies.

This intimate, intensive experience includes:

Surfing - Ride waves into flow states

Positive psychology - Learn science-backed skills for growth

Mindfulness - Cultivate focus and presence

Group bonding - Support and synergy

We take a holistic approach because human thriving is complex. By integrating cognitive training, full-body movement, and peak performance states, we help you grow into your best self through action, not theory.

This programme is for strivers who want more - more meaning, joy, achievement, connection. With Resurface, those already doing well have the ability to transform into their greatest version of themselves.

The time for impact is now. Join us and unlock your highest potential through the science and magic of surfing powerful waves within and without.

Included

#
Psycho education
#
Surfing lessons
#
Coherence training
#
Experiential group therapy
#
7 nights accommodation
#
All meals
#
Detailed assessment
#
Follow-up after-care suggestions
#
Airport transfer to and from agadir
#
Yoga
#
Meditation
#
Mindfulness
#
Rest day of culture - trip to imsouane

Highlights

Surfing

Riding waves is a core part of our program that grounds everything we do. Emerging research shows surfing has profound therapeutic effects, improving creativity, insight, anxiety, depression, and more.

There are several reasons surfing boosts mental health:

Physical activity

Social connection

Flow states

The combination is potent. Gliding along an endless wave calls us into a meditative flow. The ocean's rhythm soothes our nervous system. We feel held by the water's embrace. The shared joy of catching a wave ripples through our community.

Surfing is our portal to presence. By following where waves lead, we learn to live and lead from a flowing state of being. With saltwater in our veins, we carry the spirit of surfing - and its gifts of connection, calm, and bliss - into all aspects of life.

More Close

Psycho-education

Psychoeducation is a research-backed therapeutic approach that provides clients with information, skills and support to better understand themselves. Through psychoeducation, people learn effective problem-solving, communication tactics and are offered resources in an empathetic environment. Over 30 studies show psychoeducation improves wellbeing, reduces relapse rates and aids recovery. Our program incorporates daily interactive psychoeducation workshops focused on building resilience and accessing flow states.

Each workshop explains key concepts and frames practical tools to reframe thinking and develop positive resources. By integrating education into a holistic experience, we empower participants to integrate learnings into their lives. Research demonstrates education's intrinsic therapeutic value, especially when part of an immersive program.

Our workshops aim to enlighten, inspire and equip participants with science-based skills for flourishing. By imparting knowledge and techniques in an engaging way, we provide a foundation and roadmap for creating positive change from within. Participants leave with concrete strategies to build resilience and flow, backed by research and reinforced through experience.

More Close

Experiential Group Work

Our program incorporates experiential group work. Through guided activities like roleplay, imagery, and props, participants identify and address subconscious issues.

Time and again we see powerful realizations and revelations unfold, enabling major positive changes.

By enacting others' stories, we gain perspective. By sharing our own, we unburden. The creative process forges deep bonds between members. Scenes explore past, present and future, uncovering hidden blocks to flourishing.

As we bring experiences to life, we see them with fresh eyes. New understandings emerge organically through action.

By making the subconscious conscious in a safe space, participants gain breakthroughs. We heal by sharing our truth. We grow by living each other's stories.

Together, we transform.

More Close

Body Work Groups (Yoga and mindfulness)

In our view, and in the view of many, the body needs to be part of the treatment process. We have to actively and purposefully engage the body and learn how to 'intercept' if we are to fully flourish.

Interoception is our capacity to feel and sense our body’s experience. It’s our sense of the physiological condition or environment of the body, e.g., our perception of sensation and muscle dynamics. In the words of functional neuroanatomist A. D. Craig, interoception is our experience of our “sentient self.”

More Close

Rest Day - Surf, Food and Culture

As well as making new fiends, group bonding and learning therapeutic skills, we hope that you will enjoy tasting much of Moroccan culture. On the mid-week rest day we take a trip up the coast to the fishing village of Imsouane, where there is the option of surfing a world class long-board wave and eating delicious grilled fish for lunch.

On the way we see some of the famous Moroccan waves (Boilers, Dracula, Tamri) as well as the Bedouin caves and the illustrious ninja goats.

More Close

Evidence-based - Significant Decreases in Anxiety and Depression

At Resurface we believe that all our therapeutic interventions must be evidence-based and proven to work. Our research shows significant decreases in anxiety and depression, and an increase in outlook after attending a Resurface retreat.

More Close

Meet The Team

Clinical Director

Josh Dickson

MSc., FDAP (accredited), SMMGP,
EMDR (accredited)

Josh is an accredited EMDR therapist, an accredited drugs and alcohol counsellor and a licenced Heartmath coach. He is the clinical director of the Resurface programme.

He has been working in private practice and as a consultant for Start2Stop since 2012 and has a special interest in treating trauma and promoting positive psychology. He is an experienced group facilitator, lecturer and public speaker.

He is currently training with The Flow Research Collective.

For more information please visit LinkedIn Page.


Dr. Kristine Steffenak

Dr. Kristine Steffenak

Dr. Kristine Steffenak - M.D./Yoga (cert.)

Kristine is a medical doctor with experience as both a GP and Obstetrics/Gyneacology, working in both the UK and Norway.

She completed her 200 hours yoga teaching in Kerala, India, in January 2019 and is certified by Yoga Alliance USA. Kristine is particularly interested in Trauma-focused yoga (TF-yoga).

Kristine is a keen photographer and her photos can be seen on the Resurface Instagram page.

Venue

The Riad Dar Haven

A special place to stay, away from the hustle.

The Resurface programme includes full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) sharing in a twin room at the hotel. We encourage participants to share rooms as part of the healing process. We hope that you will generate new connections, a sense of community and an opportunity to process the day's events with someone on a more private level.

There are limited single-room options on some of the retreats. Please contact if you want to discuss further.

Website: www.riad-dar-haven.com

Accomodation

Single occupancy

From: $3,777.81/pp
Accomodation

Shared Twin Room

At Resurface we encourage participants to share rooms as part of the healing process. We do our best to match you with someone appropriate.

From: $2,843.16/pp
Accomodation

Shared Triple room - Female

At Resurface we encourage participants to share rooms as part of the healing process. We do our best to match you with someone appropriate.

From: $2,287.60/pp
Accomodation

Shared Triple room - Male

At Resurface we encourage participants to share rooms as part of the healing process. We do our best to match you with someone appropriate.

From: $2,287.60/pp

7.15 -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace

8-9am - Breakfast

9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Positive Emotions'

10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session

6-7pm - Coherence training, Mindfulness, Meditation

7.30pm - Dinner

7.15 -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace

8-9am - Breakfast

9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Engagement and Flow'

10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session

6-7pm - Coherence training, Mindfulness, Meditation

7.30pm - Dinner

7.15 -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace

8-9am - Breakfast

9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Positive Relationships'

10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session

6-7pm - Coherence training, Mindfulness, Meditation

7.30pm - Dinner

Day trip to the fishing village on Imsouane. This includes a bbq lunch, option to surf on a world class long-board wave, and taking in the sights including ninja goats, the Bedouin caves and famous surf spots including Dracula, boilers and Tamri.

7.15-8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace

8-9am - Breakfast

9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Meaning and Purpose'

10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session

6-7pm - Coherence training, Mindfulness, Meditation

7.30pm - Dinner

7.15-8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace

8-9am - Breakfast

9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Accomplishment and Grit'

10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)

3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session

6-7pm - Coherence training, Mindfulness, Meditation

7.30pm - Dinner

9am - breakfast

10-1pm - Leaving exercise/rest, massage, shopping etc.

3pm - leave for the airport

Is this trip for me

Hammam and Spa

We really recommend booking a hammam or massage on the Wednesday evening, once we come back from the day trip, or on Saturday morning before the return flight home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Guests arrive the afternoon/evening of the Saturday (dinner is provided). The first day of therapeutic activity is the Sunday.

The nearest airport is Agadir. Most clients will be arriving in the evening and all transfers are taken care of to and from Agadir. 

Easyjet flies to Agadir on Saturdays and the flights arrive in the evening from Manchester and London Gatwick.

British Airways is flying to Agadir from June 1st on Saturdays. Their schedule is very similar to Easyjet.

Ryan Air has changed their flights to Fridays and Sundays from London Stansted and these flights arrive in the early evening.

You can also fly to Marrakesh and get a taxi from there (this is not included in the price). The taxi journey is about 3 hours.

The programme takes place at The Riad Dar Haven, Tamraght. The closest airport in Agadir.

Not at all. We welcome people of all abilities from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. Most people come without knowing how to surf. 

In Morocco we work with the legendary Youness Arhbi.

No, all equipment is provided. Before the retreat starts we will contact you to measure up wetsuits and any other surf needs you might have. we have an array of soft and hardboards for you to use.

Yes. All participants need travel insurance to attend the retreats. Surfing is usually included in all travel insurance policies.

Although sharing a room isn't compulsory, it is highly recommended. There is limited availability for single room occupancy and this accrues a higher price. Sharing rooms is standard practice on all our retreats and is usual throughout the industry. This allows for greater bonding, a sense of connection and community, and allows clients to off load in a more intimate way at the end of the day. We take great care in selecting appropriate room-mates and do our best to suit your needs.

It is not unusual for clients to become blocked in conventional therapy. This can take the form of evasion, resistance, changes in cognitive patterns and a general malaise or disappointment in the therapeutic process. Resurface offers a chance to give clients a boost or an accelerated change, away from the constraints of their regular life, and inject some new found enthusiasm into their lives. Often what is needed is a more holistic, integrative experience alongside that of 1-2-1 therapy to give a new context of understanding and a more creative approach to life. 

The therapeutic approach at Resurface rests on the notion that we are an indistinct integration of body and mind, with any positive change in a client determined by looking at, accessing and invigorating both aspects of body and mind. Therefore we integrate evidence-based interventions that foster and develop both the cognitive and the somatic, concurrently expanding the introspective and interoceptive skills of each person attending.

The Resurface retreats are  intensive and include interoceptive activities (TF-yoga and HRV training), psycho-education, body awareness and physical activity, flow states (surfing), experiential group therapy and mindfulness. Our aim is to return your client to you more engaged, energised, more hopeful, having let go of some of their heavy burdens and ready to progress in their therapeutic process with you.

On booking your stay on the programme we will contact you to gather any psychological and physical information that you wish us to have.

Yes, participants must be 18 or over unless accompanied by an adult.

We ask that people refrain from drinking or any form of using on the retreats to create a safe place for people to recover. If you are doing anything illegal we have the right to ask you to leave.

Morocco 15 - 22 June 2024

From $2,287.60 Per Person

Join the community

Sign up to The Flowstream, by Resurface, A regular dispatch exploring the world of flow & therapy.