Beachside Teen Treatment Center
Trusted, Accredited Teen Treatment
Teen Surf Therapy in Los Angeles, CA
Surf therapy combines the healing power of the ocean with structured therapeutic support to help teens build confidence, emotional regulation, and resilience through movement and connection.
Surf therapy is a powerful, experiential approach that blends physical activity, emotional regulation, and connection with nature. At Beachside Teen, surf therapy is thoughtfully integrated into our comprehensive mental health treatment programs to support teens who are struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially. Set against the calming backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, surf therapy in Los Angeles offers teens a unique opportunity to build confidence, regulate emotions, and reconnect with themselves in a safe, structured environment.
Surf therapy is not a standalone activity. It is a clinically supported intervention used alongside evidence-based therapies, psychiatric care, and academic support. For teens who feel disconnected from traditional talk therapy or overwhelmed by emotions, the ocean can become a powerful place for grounding, growth, and healing. For more about teen therapy in Los Angeles, CA, contact Beachside Teen to learn how our programs support lasting emotional wellness.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 888-254-0916.
What Is Surf Therapy?
Surf therapy is a structured therapeutic modality that uses guided surfing experiences to support emotional, psychological, and social development. Under the supervision of trained clinicians and surf instructors, teens engage with the ocean in a way that emphasizes safety, reflection, and emotional growth.
Unlike recreational surfing, surf therapy is intentionally designed to meet clinical goals. Sessions focus on emotional regulation, confidence-building, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Teens are encouraged to notice their reactions to challenge, success, frustration, and fear, and then process those experiences with therapeutic support.
At Beachside Teen, surf therapy in Los Angeles is offered as part of a holistic treatment plan that may also include:
- Individual and group therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Psychiatric care and medication management
- Outdoor and expressive therapies
- Academic and therapeutic education programming
Surf therapy complements these services by giving teens a physical, embodied way to practice the skills they are learning in therapy.
How Does Surfing Work As Therapy?
Surfing as therapy works by engaging both the body and the mind at the same time. The ocean environment naturally requires focus, presence, and adaptability, skills that many teens struggle with during periods of emotional distress.
Surf therapy sessions typically include preparation, instruction, time in the water, and therapeutic processing. Teens learn how to read the ocean, manage fear, and respond to unpredictable conditions. These moments mirror emotional experiences they face in daily life and provide real-time opportunities to practice coping strategies.
Therapeutically, surfing helps teens:
- Develop emotional awareness through physical experience
- Practice staying present during stress
- Build confidence through gradual mastery
- Learn frustration tolerance and resilience
- Experience healthy risk-taking in a controlled setting
Because surfing demands attention to the moment, it can be especially effective for teens who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, impulsivity, emotional shutdown, or low self-esteem. Surfing as therapy allows progress to feel earned rather than forced, which can increase engagement and motivation in treatment.
Tour our Surf Therapy Programs near Los Angeles.
Can Surf Therapy Help Troubled Teens?
Yes, surf therapy can be highly effective for teens who feel stuck, disengaged, or resistant to traditional treatment approaches. Many adolescents struggle to articulate emotions verbally, especially during periods of distress or identity development. Surf therapy provides an alternative way to access emotional processing without relying solely on conversation.
For teens who experience anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavioral challenges, surf therapy in Los Angeles offers a structured yet freeing environment where they can experience success, connection, and emotional release. The ocean becomes a neutral space where teens are not defined by diagnoses, past behaviors, or academic struggles.
Surf therapy is particularly helpful for teens who:
- Feel disconnected from their bodies or emotions
- Struggle with emotional regulation
- Experience social withdrawal or low confidence
- Have difficulty engaging in traditional therapy settings
- Benefit from movement-based or experiential learning
When combined with residential treatment, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), or Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP), surf therapy supports deeper emotional integration and skill-building that carries over into daily life.
Types of Disorders We Treat
Each teen’s surf therapy experience is tailored to their clinical needs and level of care, ensuring that physical activity aligns with therapeutic goals and safety considerations.
Surf therapy is used to support teens with a wide range of mental health and behavioral challenges, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and mood disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- ADHD
- Emotional dysregulation
- Low self-esteem and identity challenges
- Behavioral and impulse control difficulties
What Are the Benefits of Surf Therapy for Teens?
Surf therapy offers benefits that extend beyond physical activity. By combining nature, movement, and clinical support, teens gain skills that translate into long-term emotional resilience. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, surf therapy in Los Angeles supports both emotional healing and personal growth. When teens feel capable in their bodies, they often feel more capable emotionally as well.
Key benefits include:
- Improved emotional regulation: Teens learn to stay grounded during stress and uncertainty
- Increased confidence: Mastering new skills builds self-trust and self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms: Physical movement and ocean exposure support mood regulation
- Enhanced mindfulness: Surfing requires focus on the present moment
- Stronger social connection: Group surf sessions encourage teamwork and peer support
- Healthy coping strategies: Teens practice managing frustration and setbacks safely
Start Healing With Surf Therapy at Beachside Teen
At Beachside Teen, surf therapy is more than an activity. It is a meaningful therapeutic tool that supports emotional growth, confidence, and connection. Integrated into our residential, PHP, and IOP programs, surf therapy works alongside evidence-based mental health treatment to help teens build skills that last well beyond their time in care.
If your teen is struggling and traditional approaches have not been enough, surf therapy in Los Angeles may offer a new path forward. Contact Beachside Teen today to learn how our compassionate, clinically driven programs can help your teen reconnect, heal, and move toward lasting wellness.
Mark Paladini
Director of Education
Last Updated on March 12, 2025
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Meet Our Trusted, Compassionate Care Team
When left untreated, adolescent behavioral health issues can lead to lifelong struggles with mental health and addiction. We’re here to help your child discover healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and mental health symptoms. Our team is a diverse group of professionals who are here to provide for your child’s needs throughout their treatment program.
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Physician
Mark Paladini
Eli Wayne
Dr. Michael Louie
Dr. Shilpa Jindani
Mark Paladini
Learn more about Surf Therapy at Beachside Teen
At Beachside Teen Treatment Center, we understand how difficult it can be to watch your teen struggle with mental or behavioral health challenges. Our surf therapy program offers a supportive, restorative environment where teens can connect with the ocean, build confidence, and begin their journey toward emotional healing and growth.
Call us now at 888-254-0916 or verify your insurance.
Together, we can help your teen build a brighter future..
Inpatient Treatment FAQs
Residential treatment is typically recommended when a teen is struggling with emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues that are not improving through outpatient care. Signs your teen may benefit from residential treatment include severe anxiety or depression, self-harm, substance use, intense mood swings, academic decline, or risky behaviors. A professional assessment can help determine the best level of care for your child.
Teens in residential treatment follow a structured daily schedule that includes individual therapy, group therapy, academic support, recreational activities, and healthy routines like regular meals and sleep. The program is designed to provide consistency, emotional safety, and skill-building opportunities to help teens regulate emotions, develop coping skills, and improve overall mental health.
Yes—family involvement is a crucial part of the healing process. Most programs include regular family therapy sessions, parent workshops, and scheduled calls or visits. Treatment teams work closely with families to help rebuild communication, set healthy boundaries, and ensure long-term success after discharge.
At Beachside Teen, we have an accredited therapeutic education program with licensed teachers who work with your teen. The goal is to help students maintain academic progress, complete necessary schoolwork, and transition smoothly back to their home school after treatment.