A different type of therapy- where the mind meets the sea.
Meet Christiana Grotlisch.
LA Native, surfer, adventurer, and a spunky clinician with a passion for helping individuals find and believe in their own strengths to create meaning in their lives.
Christiana is an Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in the medical and mental health field in both non-profit and elite integrated care since 2015. She operates from a trauma resiliency model and integrates neurobiologically informed evidence-based practices in her clinical work with clients. Christiana holds a passion for providing clients with therapeutic skills they can apply in their daily life to reduce suffering and to support health and wellness.
Surfing for Wellness
In 2019, Christiana developed a DBT Surf Therapy group while working as a clinical intern at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center (formerly known as Beach House Treatment Center), a residential treatment program for mental health and chemical dependency. She saw an opportunity to support clients by enhancing their ability to learn and integrate DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) skills through the unique parallels of learning to surf. The program has expanded to include a structured curriculum and consistently remains a favorite group amongst participants. Christiana also facilitates individual surf therapy sessions where she uses person-centered neurobiologically-based interventions to support clients in their healing journey. Her work has been featured on NBC’s California Live and at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
More About Christiana.
Christiana completed her undergraduate studies at Antioch University, majoring in Addiction Studies and Psychology. She attended the University of Southern California's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work for her master’s degree, graduating with Honors. While at USC, Christiana was nominated by faculty for the Lillian Hawthorne Prize and earned a Dean's Recognition Award for "Outstanding Contributions By A Graduating MSW Student To Field Education."
Christiana entered the field of addiction treatment in 2015 as a counselor and case manager at a medication-assisted treatment program. Her work history also includes running a community-based youth and young adults ministry program where she mentored teenagers, supported healthy social engagement, and led international trips focused on alleviating poverty and service work. She also has experience in medical social work and caring for high-risk populations.
Christiana most recently served as the Pain Recovery Program Director and Primary Therapist at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center until the end of 2023. She was then provided with an incredible opportunity to take on the role of Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science (Clinician Educator) with Substance Abuse Expertise at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. In her new role, Christiana focuses on Student Health in the Counseling and Mental Health Services department, working to enhance care for students struggling with chemical dependency and substance use disorders.
Christiana Grotlisch, LCSW 115305