Upwell Pacific's mission is to provide personalized, equitable and inclusive eco-oriented therapy to individuals and communities.

Nature, prescribed.

Services

About Ben

Ben is a Licensed 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 holds a Polyvagal-Informed Certificate from the Polyvagal Institute and has utilized his training and experience to develop Polyvagal Surf Therapy and Polyvagal Eco Therapy. These innovative interventions integrate the healing benefits of natural environments into the 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