A week-long surfing retreat in Morocco helped one journalist confront her long-held fear of waves. The experience was facilitated by Resurface, a company that combines yoga, surf lessons, and group therapy to promote healing and personal growth.
The journalist had always been afraid of the sea, despite being a good swimmer and enjoying water activities on vacation. Her job as a journalist covering traumatic events had eroded her sense of safety, leading to a growing fear of waves. She decided to take a break from work and join a surfing retreat in Morocco, hoping to process her emotions and face her fear.
The retreat was held in the small surf town of Tamraght, where the journalist met a diverse group of people facing their own personal struggles. The sessions were led by psychologist Josh Dickson, who used eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help the participants process traumatic memories.
While the surfing lessons themselves were not particularly transformative for the journalist, she found the EMDR sessions to be a revelation. Sharing her experiences with others who had faced similar traumas helped her regain hope and connection with humanity. The group's willingness to confront their own pain and heartbreak was a balm to her, restoring her faith in people.
On the last day of the retreat, the journalist faced her fear again – but this time, she stood up on the board, albeit awkwardly, and celebrated with the group. The experience marked a turning point for her, as she began to rebuild her confidence and sense of safety.
The journalist had always been afraid of the sea, despite being a good swimmer and enjoying water activities on vacation. Her job as a journalist covering traumatic events had eroded her sense of safety, leading to a growing fear of waves. She decided to take a break from work and join a surfing retreat in Morocco, hoping to process her emotions and face her fear.
The retreat was held in the small surf town of Tamraght, where the journalist met a diverse group of people facing their own personal struggles. The sessions were led by psychologist Josh Dickson, who used eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to help the participants process traumatic memories.
While the surfing lessons themselves were not particularly transformative for the journalist, she found the EMDR sessions to be a revelation. Sharing her experiences with others who had faced similar traumas helped her regain hope and connection with humanity. The group's willingness to confront their own pain and heartbreak was a balm to her, restoring her faith in people.
On the last day of the retreat, the journalist faced her fear again – but this time, she stood up on the board, albeit awkwardly, and celebrated with the group. The experience marked a turning point for her, as she began to rebuild her confidence and sense of safety.
I was flying over the ocean but instead of wings I had a giant sandwich in my hands it kept flapping around like crazy and I couldn't stop laughing anyone else have weird food dreams lol? anyway back to surfing I'm kinda jealous that journalist got to experience that retreat but I've been thinking we need more beachside cafes with decent Wi-Fi 
I mean, this journalist was like, literally stuck in her fears, but that surfing retreat ended up being a total game-changer for her. And it's not just about the surfing itself, it's about the whole experience – the community, the therapy sessions... it all came together to help her confront those demons head-on.
I mean, come on, EMDR therapy in surfing retreats? It's not like it's some new-age hippie stuff! Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a legit form of therapy, but isn't it kind of obvious that Josh Dickson would use it with trauma survivors? I mean, where else are they gonna find people who've been through similar stuff? 
) and let go of all those emotions building up inside us. And I love how sharing stories with others who have gone through similar struggles helped her find hope again 
. The fact that EMDR therapy was used in such an unconventional way is also super cool 
. It just goes to show that personal growth doesn't always happen in a traditional setting, and sometimes we just need to take a leap of faith (or in this case, catch a wave 
) to find ourselves again.
. i think this kind of retreat could be a game-changer for people dealing with anxiety or PTSD - it's all about facing your fears in a safe space 