Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

2026

Faculty Mentor

Nancy Carson

Abstract

Women who have experienced trauma often face challenges with emotional regulation, sense of safety and daily functioning. Additionally, one in three women experience trauma throughout their lifetime and this can lead to difficulty with connection, body awareness, and engagement in meaningful activities. A local non-profit surf therapy organization was established to provide women with a supportive community and meaningful, nature-based activity to promote healing and connection. The purpose of this quality improvement capstone experience was to address and develop a sustainable trauma-informed wellness toolkit to support facilitators in delivering structured wellness activities within the program. The toolkit specifically addressed key areas including 1) emotional regulation, 2) mindfulness and present moment awareness, 3) communication and connection, 4) expanding comfort zones, 5) stress management and nervous system regulation, 6) self-awareness and identity, 7) self-compassion, inner dialogue, and empathy. A needs assessment identified a gap in structured, trauma-informed resources to support facilitators in consistently implementing these skills. This capstone project was used to develop and disseminate a comprehensive, user-friendly facilitator toolkit designed to enhance consistency, confidence, and sustainability within the program. Outcomes from this project highlighted the value of structured guidance and demonstrated potential for improved participant engagement, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Stakeholders expressed strong support for the toolkit and indicated intentions to incorporate the activities into ongoing programming. Future research may explore participant-level outcomes and the long-term impact of integrating structured mindfulness-based interventions within community-based surf therapy programs.

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