More than just movement - trying immersion therapy for the first time

When Belinda stepped up to the edge of the pool at the newly redeveloped Adelaide Aquatic Centre - mask and air tank ready to go - she wasn’t entirely sure what she’d signed up for. This was just a little outside of her comfort zone.

By the end of the session, though, what stayed with her most was the sense of calm that came with being underwater.

What is immersion therapy?

Immersion therapy is a water-based approach delivered by the allied health team at Determined2. It’s designed to support people with disability, serious injury or chronic health conditions, with a focus on improving physical, mental, and social wellbeing through movement.

Belinda, NDSP’s Community Engagement & Partnerships manager for SA and NT, took part as part of Determined2’s “Give it a Go FUNdRaiser” initiative. It’s a pay-it-forward style fundraiser, where organisations and groups can experience a session, with funds going toward supporting people who might not otherwise be able to access the therapy, along with disability led research and clinical placements for future allied health professionals.

Why it’s different in the water

Being underwater creates a near weightless environment, which makes it easier to move in ways that can be difficult on land. For people who find other forms of therapy difficult due to mobility or pain, being underwater can open up new possibilities.

“I have a slight fear of being fully submerged,” Belinda shared, “but Pete and the team were incredibly supportive the whole time, they were very encouraging.”

Sessions are guided, with simple activities that build movement, coordination and confidence, while staying focused on breathing and feeling comfortable in the water.

“What was clear to me” said Belinda, “was not only did this make therapy lots of fun, throwing balls underwater, riding underwater scooter and shooting and catching air bubbles, but the psychosocial benefits really stood out.” Being underwater creates a calming and peaceful environment, and she found that “focusing on your breathing makes it feel more like a meditation session”.

That sense of calm is something participants often talk about, and it’s part of what makes immersion therapy really appealing for people looking for something that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

The space matters too

Determined2’s sessions take place at the newly redeveloped Adelaide Aquatic Centre, which has clearly been built with accessibility and inclusivity in mind. There are accessible changerooms, different ways to enter the pools, wide pathways, and quieter areas designed to reduce sensory overwhelm.

The pools are set up so people can move through the space comfortably and at their own pace. There’s also calm zones and partitioned areas that help keep noise down, which makes a big difference once you’re in there.

“It felt like a genuinely welcoming centre,” Belinda said. “A lovely space for people to build social skills and feel completely included in the community.”

Thinking about giving it a go?

If Immersion therapy sounds like something you’d like to explore, you can find out more details about it here on the Determined2 website. If you have ‘Improved Daily Living’ funding in your NDIS plan, it may be possible to use this for sessions. If you’re unsure how it works, your NDIA contact or the team at NDSP can help you figure out what’s included in your plan.

And if you’re a provider who’d like to strap on your own goggles and “pay it forward” like Belinda, you can learn more about their fundraiser here. It’s a great way to get a feel for the experience from a participant’s perspective, while supporting the program’s broader impact - “Highly recommend it!”, encourages Belinda.