Waves of Grief™ & The Waves of Grief Collective™

Ocean medicine. Community connection.

Waves of Grief™ programs are grounded in somatic and eco-therapy based modalities and constructivist loss theories to address and support individuals moving through grief. The ocean is rich in grief metaphors for healing and provides a unique opportunity to address collective and personal grief in a non-traditional therapeutic setting. These programs provide a natural space to gather in community and honor loss while interacting with the ocean as appropriate.

Waves of Grief™ aims to foster a sense of community, connection and comfort while creating new meaningful experiences in integrated grief in at the ocean’s shores. The hope is that those who opt into Waves of Grief™ create their own sustainable therapeutic process in nature that is held and supported by the community fostered in the program.

Our Mission, Origins and Impact

The Waves of Grief Collective™  is a community of leading surf therapy practitioners and clinicians working together to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that accompany trauma and grief.  They are all connected by their love for the ocean – how being in, on, or around the water can be healing – and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration as long-held views about the grief experience evolve. The Collective fosters community on the ocean's shores to reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness that accompany grief and loss.  The ocean is our source of healing, connection and flow. 

In 2022, Waves of Grief™ was sought after by the US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and presented at the International Surf Therapy 2022 Conference. Now with seven sites and partners, in community we continue to offer accessible surf therapy programs to support individuals and communities moving through grief and loss.

Waves of Grief™ first held in the San Francisco Bay Area was led by Kelsey Ellis and Dana Marie Ahmed (Nielsen) of Wild Women Therapy and was featured in National Geographic’s documentary Impact, where Kelsey told her personal story of the loss of her twin sister. Impact is currently featured on the National Geographic channel and Disney+ in 142 countries and 78 languages. 

Waves of Grief, Santa Barbara, CA

Waves of Grief™ is a community drop-in space, held at the beach up and down the coast of California and beyond to normalize grief and heal in community, in and around Mother Ocean. TwoCan Retreats has partnered with the Waves of Grief Collective™ to help extend their reach and spread waves of love and compassion to our beautiful communities in Santa Barbara, California (and Santa Teresa, Costa Rica).

Join us every Second Sunday of the month.

9:30-11:30AM at Leadbetter Beach

(look for the white tent with the TwoCan banner between the parking lot & the point)

This is an opportunity to gather in community to honor, share and witness personal and collective grief.

Held on the second Sunday of each month (9:30-11:30 AM), we invite all grief and grievers, along with all forms of water play. Joy and laughter are also encouraged as we welcome fun and build community together. We create spaces on Mother Ocean's shore — a beautiful, yet grounding container that inspires us to be fully present, embody our grief, and share what’s on our hearts; to be witnessed, to move and play and to honor the land and our ancestors.

Our ritual starts with an individual 10-15 minute mindful walk along the shore to reflect on your intention, followed by a brief guided meditation or embodiment practice, and optional share. Once sharing is complete, we’ll suit up (or enjoy the beach), grab a flower and our boards, and paddle out together for a water ritual.

Surf, kayak, paddle, boogie board, swim, wade, watch or just enjoy the beach!

Mike & Stacy McCrory are co-founders of TwoCan Retreats & Regional Directors for the Waves of Grief Collective™, and enjoy hosting Second Sunday Community Drop-in Sessions in Santa Barbara, CA. Stacy is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, also serving as Clinical Consultant to the Collective. Stacy has been in private practice in Santa Barbara for nearly 20 years, specializing in grief and trauma, assisting individuals, couples and families with repairing their relationships and navigating major life transitions.

Mike & Stacy endured the tragic loss of their oldest son in 2016, and have made meaning in hosting and facilitating healing experiences focused on learning to ride the waves of grief, love and loss, and choosing to engage in a life worth living. These programs seek to re-imagine how we navigate grief and loss – how making space for grief in our lives frees us up to experience more joy – enriching not only our own lives, but the lives of those around us.

Partners in love, work and play, Mike & Stacy are long-time residents of Santa Barbara and raised four kids in and around the ocean. In addition to making sure everyone is safe and well fed, Mike’s special skill is taking care of people and remembering all the little details that matter.  He and Stacy are firm believers in the power of community and interconnectedness. They promote the healing power of compassion, and acts of loving kindness, believing that grace, gratitude and genuine respect can in fact make the world a kinder and more peaceful place.