Upwell Pacific's mission is to provide personalized, equitable and inclusive eco-oriented therapy to individuals and communities.
Nature, prescribed.
Services
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Polyvagal surf therapy invites movement, play, and the healing power of the ocean into the therapeutic process. By combining evidence-based interventions with immersive ocean experiences, this approach fosters deep personal transformation and strengthens one’s connection to self, others, and the natural world. Surf therapy goes beyond traditional surfing; it encompasses a variety of water activities, including swimming, body surfing, boogie boarding, and more. Each session offers a unique opportunity for healing, growth, and a profound sense of belonging.
Session length: 75 minutes, time spent both in water and on sand
Location: Malibu, CA
No surf skills required.
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Polyvagal eco therapy invites clients to take their therapeutic journey beyond the traditional office setting by engaging the nervous system in the healing power of nature. By blending evidence-based interventions with movement in natural environments, this approach fosters a deeper, transformative connection to oneself, others, and the Earth. Experience healing in a way that nurtures both your body and spirit, as you reconnect with the natural world and cultivate a sense of belonging and balance.
Session length: 60 minutes
Location: Malibu, CA
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Virtual therapy offers individuals access to traditional therapeutic interventions in the comfort and safety of their own chosen space. This flexible approach allows for meaningful support while maintaining the convenience and privacy of being at home, making therapy more accessible and tailored to one's needs.
Session time: 60 minutes
Location: California
About Ben
Ben is an Associate Clinical Social Worker committed to providing holistic mental health care. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he found healing in the waves of Venice and now integrates the transformative power of nature into his therapeutic practice.
Ben began his career in 2016 at Safe Place for Youth (SPY), where he supported youth experiencing housing insecurity. He developed SPY’s Outdoor Wellness program, which helped youth access the therapeutic benefits of nature and outdoor spaces.
In 2022, Ben earned his graduate degree in Social Work and became a primary therapist at The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center, specializing in substance use disorder, chronic pain, and trauma.
Ben has utilized his experience and training to develop Polyvagal Surf Therapy and Polyvagal Eco Therapy. These unique interventions are designed to integrate the healing benefits of naturals spaces into one's therapeutic process.
Ben understands that no single approach works for everyone, which is why he prioritizes meeting clients where they are at and tailoring his services to best support their individual goals. He adopts a flexible, client-centered approach, adjusting his methods to meet the evolving needs of each person throughout their process. Ben views clients as the true experts of their own experiences, fostering a collaborative therapeutic partnership. This allows clients to take the lead, while Ben walks alongside them, offering guidance and support on their mental health journey.
Therapeutic Approaches
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Polyvagal therapy is a therapeutic approach based on the Polyvagal Theory, which explores how the autonomic nervous system impacts our emotional and physical well-being. It focuses on helping individuals regulate their nervous system, particularly through techniques that engage the nervous system to promote safety, connection, and healing. By working with the body’s natural responses to stress, trauma, and social connection, polyvagal therapy aims to restore balance, increase emotional resilience, and improve overall mental health.
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on addressing negative core beliefs and desensitizing the emotional impact of past trauma. Through guided side-to-side eye movements, you'll revisit distressing memories while working to shift negative beliefs—such as feeling unworthy or unsafe—associated with those experiences. This process helps reduce anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, allowing you to reframe your past, heal, and create healthier patterns of thinking and feeling. EMDR is an effective tool for transforming negative beliefs and promoting emotional well-being.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a type of therapy that helps individuals manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and build better coping skills. It combines mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help you navigate life's challenges more effectively. DBT is particularly helpful for those struggling with issues like emotional dysregulation, self-harm, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. It focuses on finding balance between acceptance and change, helping you create healthier, more fulfilling ways of thinking and acting.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you accept difficult emotions and thoughts while focusing on actions that align with your values. It teaches mindfulness and psychological flexibility, helping you build resilience and live a more meaningful, fulfilling life despite life's challenges. ACT is effective for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.
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Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between your body and mind, using physical sensations to help release stored tension and trauma. It encourages awareness of bodily experiences to heal emotional issues, reduce stress, and promote well-being. By tuning into the body’s responses, somatic therapy helps you process past trauma, manage anxiety, and develop a deeper sense of self-awareness and balance.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy helps you understand and heal the different "parts" of yourself—like the inner critic, the anxious part, or the vulnerable part. By bringing these parts into harmony, and fostering a trusting relationship with one’s core self, IFS promotes emotional healing, self-compassion, and greater overall well-being. It’s especially useful for trauma, anxiety, and self-esteem issues.
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A decolonial framework for therapy focuses on addressing the lasting impacts of colonization, historical trauma, and systemic oppression. It emphasizes cultural humility, recognizing indigenous knowledge and healing practices, and challenges the Western-centric, individualistic models of therapy. This approach views healing as a collective, culturally relevant process that respects and empowers the client, acknowledging the role of power dynamics and social justice in mental healt. The therapist adopts a collaborative, non-hierarchical relationship with clients, working to dismantle oppressive systems while fostering resilience and healing.
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The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic listening program designed to help improve emotional regulation, social engagement, and overall nervous system functioning.