What if the ocean could become part of the healing process?

In this episode of the Bonded Podcast, Lizzie and Dr. Patty sit down with surf and trauma therapist Jess Ripley, LMFT, to explore the transformative power of nature-based healing and reconnecting with ourselves through the ocean. Jess shares her personal journey from recovery and recreation therapy to creating her own integrative approach to surf therapy blending mindfulness, trauma healing, play, embodiment, and the wisdom of nature. Whether you’re a surfer, nature lover, therapist, or someone longing to feel more alive and connected, this episode offers an inspiring look at healing through relationship — with ourselves, others, and the natural world.

This conversation dives into:

• How nature and the ocean can support trauma healing
• What surf therapy actually looks like in practice
• The role of mindfulness, play, and embodiment in healing
• Why healing outside the therapy office can be so powerful
• Corrective experiences through movement, challenge, and connection
• Ocean metaphors for life, timing, fear, trust, and resilience
• The ethical considerations of doing therapy outside the office
• The healing impact of awe, beauty, and feeling part of nature
• How surf therapy supports addiction recovery, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• Reconnecting with nature as a path toward wholeness

If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who surfs, works in mental health, or finds refuge out in the ocean!

Connect with Jess

🌊 Website: www.sealovehealing.com

🌊 Instagram @sealovehealing

🌊 Surf Therapy Training: For recreational therapists who want to work within their scope of competence outside the office, co-creating therapeutic spaces with nature. Learn more: www.sealovehealing.com/become-a-surf-therapist.html

Resources

Surf Therapy International: A global hub for surf therapy organizations, research, and resources. https://intlsurftherapy.org/

Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner. The book on awe that Lizzie and Dr. Patty reference in this episode — a beautiful companion read.

In this Nature Series on The Bonded Podcast we explore how humans can build secure bonds with each other, with animals, and with the natural world. Today we sit down with Hanna Wise, a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern (RCSWI) specializing in veterinary social work. Hanna shares how she stumbled into this niche, deeply meaningful field, and what it looks like to support both the humans and animals who walk through the doors of a nonprofit veterinary clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. From pet loss grief groups to staff burnout, this conversation will open your eyes to a field you've probably never heard of but will absolutely relate to if you've ever had an affection for animals or pets.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Veterinary social work is built on one core principle: respecting the dignity and worth of all species.
• Pet loss is disenfranchised grief — it's valid, it's real, and it deserves the same space as any other grief.
• The human-animal bond as a secure attachment — how our relationships with pets mirror the principles of healthy human connection, including trust, consistency, co-regulation, and boundaries.
• What pets can teach us about relationships — body language, respecting "no," early socialization, and growing independence over time.
• The potential for sacred reciprocity within human-animal bond.
• Pets can serve as a mirror for healthy relationships — modeling boundaries, trust-building, and independence.

If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who has loved their pet, works in veterinary medicine, or is curious about the intersection of mental health and animal welfare.

🐾 Virtual Pet Loss Support Group — First Wednesday of every month. Open to anyone in Florida through EveryPet.org email Hanna at hwise@everypet.org

Learn mindfulness and self-compassion tools at www.SacredTreehouse.org

Strengthening the Human-Animal Bond This website has so many great links that can be utilized for individuals and families, with a lot of the topics that we discussed being addressed. https://mhanational.org/resources/strengthening-the-human-animal-bond/

Jacksonville Specific

• https://jaxhumane.org/pet-help/pet-owner-assistance/
• https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/office-of-administrative-services/animal-care-and-protective-services

Veterinary Social Work Resources

• https://vetsocialwork.tennessee.edu/
• https://www.iavsw.org/

In this episode we sit down with Maureen Ake, LMFT, to explore the Wild Woman archetype ~ who she really is, how she lives in all of us, and what it looks like to reclaim her. From Maureen's own initiation of getting pregnant the day after being accepted into her master's program, to the deeply healing work she facilitates in women's groups and retreats, this conversation weaves together themes of authenticity, sovereignty, nature, community, and embodiment. This episode is part of our ongoing series on nature's role in healing and cultivating mind-body-soul wellbeing.

Who Is the Wild Woman, Really? She's not feral or chaotic. The Wild Woman is creative, intuitive, boundaried, compassionate, and sovereign. She understands the cycles and seasonality of life and doesn't apologize for simply existing. Think of the plant that leans toward the sun without asking permission — that is her. Tune into the episode to unleash her full essence.

About Our Guest:

Maureen Ake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 10 years of experience, and the visionary co-creator behind Wild Woman Therapies and Wild Woman Awakening — a program and community helping women reconnect with their instinctual nature, reclaim their authentic voice, and step fully into their power. Maureen blends therapeutic expertise with creativity, nature, and community through private practice, group therapy, and immersive retreats in Stuart, Florida.

Resources & References Mentioned

• Wild Woman Awakening Program https://wildwomantherapies.com/About
• Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (foundational reading on the Wild Woman archetype)