Golf-Based Therapy for Professionals in San Clemente
Traditional talk therapy doesn’t work for everyone, especially for high-performing professionals who are used to thinking, moving, and problem-solving in real time. Golf-based therapy offers a different way in: combining movement, presence, and conversation in a familiar, low-pressure setting.
Ryan Denney, AMFT, offers therapy sessions that take place on the golf course, blending clinical skill with the natural rhythm of the game to support insight, regulation, and meaningful change
What Is Golf-Based Therapy?
Golf-based therapy is a form of experiential therapy that takes place during a round of golf rather than in a traditional office setting. The game provides natural pauses, shared focus, and embodied experience—often making it easier to talk openly, reflect honestly, and build rapport.
Sessions may include:
Intentional conversation during play
Observing emotional responses to challenge, frustration, or success
Exploring patterns around pressure, control, perfectionism, and performance
Using movement and environment to support nervous system regulation
This approach is especially helpful for clients who feel stuck, guarded, or disconnected in traditional therapy spaces.
Why Golf Works Therapeutically
Golf naturally mirrors many of the struggles professionals bring into therapy:
Performance pressure
Self-criticism and high expectations
Difficulty slowing down or being present
Frustration tolerance and emotional regulation
Leadership, decision-making, and control
Being on the course allows these patterns to show up in real time, creating opportunities for insight and change that can be harder to access in a chair-to-chair setting.
Who This Is For
Golf-based therapy may be a good fit if you:
You are a business professional, executive, entrepreneur, or someone who loves golf
Feel resistant to traditional office-based therapy
Want a more immersive, experiential approach to therapy
Are interested in deep work around stress, identity, leadership, or relationships
This format is not about improving your golf game, it’s about using the game as a therapeutic container.
What a Session Looks Like
Golf-based therapy sessions are offered as extended, intensive appointments rather than standard 50-minute sessions.
A typical session includes:
A full round of golf (approximately 3.5–4 hours)
Structured and unstructured therapeutic conversation
Time for reflection, processing, and integration
Sessions are intentionally paced to allow insight to emerge naturally, without forcing conversation.
Pricing & Logistics
Golf-based therapy is offered as a premium intensive service.
Sessions are billed as extended intensives
Green fees and related costs are the client’s responsibility
Available to adult clients only
Offered in and around the San Clemente / South Orange County area
Please contact us directly to discuss fit, availability, and current rates.
To learn more about Ryan’s therapeutic background and philosophy, visit the About Ryan page.
Interested in Golf-Based Therapy?
If you’d like to learn more about golf-based therapy or explore whether it’s right for you, we invite you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation using the button below.