The evidence-based therapeutic programme is set-up to help clients address their trauma whilst offering them a chance to flourish and grow.
At Resurface, we've unlocked the secret to healing through the unique combination of surfing, group therapy, psycho-education, mindfulness, and bonding in a small, intimate group. By seamlessly blending flow activities and group work, we've seen profound therapeutic breakthroughs and accelerated recovery from past traumas.
Our holistic approach to healing, which focuses on the mind, body, science, and fun, sets us apart. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we empower individuals to transform unconscious traumas into conscious understanding, supported by a toolkit of positive strategies and a community of like-minded peers.
While our program is suitable for all, it is particularly effective for those recovering from addiction, dealing with PTSD, facing childhood issues, or struggling with a fear of life. At Resurface, we're committed to helping our clients turn their traumas into opportunities for growth and positive change.
This is the core element that underlines and supports everything we do. There is a growing body of research and work that links the practice of surfing to a host of beneficial mental improvements (increased self-esteem, greater resilience, deeper sleep), and it is our love of surfing that has provided the initial impetus to create Resurface.
The purpose of these daily interactive workshops and lectures is to explain and frame the basics for each day’s topic. Research shows that education alone has a therapeutic effect and is particularly empowering when part of a holistic program.
The deep potential impact of these sessions cannot be understated. We see again and again from past testimonies, powerful realisations and revelations unexpectedly happen to most of our clients during those sessions, enabling the ignition of major behavioural changes. While each session will have a volunteer main protagonist enact a scene from their past, enrolling the help of their ‘fellows’ to do so, it is often those witnessing these that will gain the most from the process.
So much written material is easily available about the practical benefits of integrating a mindfulness practice into our lives that we do not need to repeat it here. However, we do love the fact that neuroscience and technological advances in tomography are laying the scientific grounding and understanding that prove the benefits of this ancient practice.
This is perfectly in line with our goal to integrate scientifically proven factsto our interventions. If you have never before been able to meditate and feel it is not for you, these group sessions will give you practical and realistic tools and experience to do so if you wish to bring this marvellous practice into your life.
At Resurface we believe that all our therapeutic interventions must be evidence-based and proven to work. As well as detailed assessment and onward referrals for those who want it, Our research shows significant decreases in anxiety and depression, and an increase in outlook after attending a Resurface retreat.
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.
Josh has recently finished training with The Flow Research Collective and continues to be active in research around flow states, trauma and recovery.
For more information please visit LinkedIn Page.
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.
Kristine is also a RYT-500 yoga teacher. She completed her 200 hours yoga teaching in Kerala, India, in January 2019 and is certified by Yoga Alliance USA. In June 2020 she completed her Power Yoga training with the London Power Yoga Company. She recently completed her 300 hours TCTSY (trauma sensitive yoga) facilitation training with the Trauma Centre, Brookline, Massachusetts.
Kristine is a keen photographer and her photos can be seen on the Resurface Instagram page.
A special place to stay, away from the hustle.
Nestled in the lush jungles of Costa Rica, Casas de Agua offers four luxurious villas just minutes from the renowned surf beach of Playa Hermosa. Each uniquely designed open-air villa features its own private pool enveloped by tropical gardens for the ultimate in privacy and serenity. The villas artfully blend modern comforts with rustic jungle elements, creating a tranquil oasis to enjoy the beauty of nature in refined style. A brief two-minute jungle path leads you to Playa Hermosa and its famous waves. At Casas de Agua, comfort and tropical elegance meet an idyllic beach location.
7.15 am -8am - Optional trauma-sensitive yoga
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'What is trauma?'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest)
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional trauma-sensitive yoga
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'The need for Interoception'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest)
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional trauma-sensitive yoga
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Challenging your thinking'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest)
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional trauma-sensitive yoga
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Letting go of the past'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest)
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional trauma-sensitive yoga
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Post-traumatic growth'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, NSDR (Non-sleep Deep Rest)
7.30pm - Dinner
9am - breakfast
10am - Leaving exercise
12am check out
The best book on trauma is Bessel Van der Kolk's The Body Keeps The Score. Although not essential, we highly recommend reading this book.
Not at all. We welcome people of all abilities from complete beginners to seasoned professionals.
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.
Guests arrive the afternoon/evening of the Sunday (dinner is provided). The first day of therapeutic activity is the Monday.
Yes. All participants need travel insurance to attend the retreats. Surfing is usually included in all travel insurance policies.
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.
>>>Fly to San Jose, CR (direct flights from major airports Miami, LA, NYC etc..)
>>>From San Jose, take a local plane to Tambor (30 mins journey)
>>> Tambor to Casas De Agua, Playa Hermosa is 1hr drive
We ask that people refrain from drinking or any form of using to create a safe place for people to recover. If you are doing anything illegal we have the right to ask you to leave.
