Resurface North offers a brief mental health and wellness intervention, taking place over several days, in a retreat style format. Dr. Susie McAfee (Registered Psychologist, NSBEP R0638) is the founder and primary facilitator at Resurface North. She has crafted a unique blend of surf therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and peer support that balances structure, flexibility, and flow. Retreat participants are provided with food, accommodations, surf lessons, and gear. Both individual and group needs are taken into account at all times with clinical care available onsite throughout the retreat.
Though in its infancy, preliminary research has demonstrated the utility of surf therapy for military and veteran populations with PTSD. Surf therapy is being applied globally for developmental and physical disabilities, autism, disadvantaged youth, and those living in war torn regions, just to name a few. The International Surfing Therapy Organization (ISTO) was founded with a mission to support surf therapy in becoming an evidence-based practice for mental and physical health. Currently we are the only formalized surf therapy program for PTSD or other mental health conditions available in Canada!
Surfing and spending time around the water is beneficial. Evidence is clear that this alone has significant positive effects. However, it is my hope that blending the physical experience of surfing and deeper interpersonal experiences using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) will yield an even greater benefit and lasting impact.
All surf therapy programs involve a high level of peer support. The retreat format we have adopted is essential in allowing time for participants to connect with one another comfortably. Peer support helps with therapeutic goals like destigmatization, normalization, exposure for social anxiety symptoms, positive interactions for depressive symptoms, softening armour to allow vulnerability, or just feeling HUMAN without all the labels.
So that's the vision and I'm kinda stoked so I hope you'll join me!
Dr. Susie McAfee has 15 years experience as a psychologist and 5 as a surfer.
ReSurface North
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