By Tom Jameson, MS, NCC Primary Therapist The Father of Attachment Theory, John Bowlby, described attachment as the “lasting psychological connections between human beings.” The way in which humans attach to others has been proven influential in terms of how individuals relate to others, themselves, and the world. Research has found that a person’s attachment …
By Genell Howell, MA, CSAC Primary Therapist When we hear the word trauma we often associate it with endangering events. According to the American Psychological Association, trauma is an emotional response to a detrimental event such as an accident, rape or natural disaster. While trauma is commonly associated with major life events, it may also include …
As our son struggled last year and began to lose hope. I struggled with the fact that I could not help him. His downward spiral started with stomach aches, then he couldn’t attend school, then he couldn’t leave the house and lastly he stopped eating. His only friends existed “virtually” online. His sister listened to …
This letter is to thank Pacific Quest for their care of my daughter and to single out three of your staff members for their skill and professionalism. Please feel free to share it with other parents who are deciding whether or not to entrust their child to Pacific Quest. My 19 year old daughter …
Ah, the holidays. A time of warm fuzzy feelings, family togetherness…and stress. The latter can be especially true if your family is braving a recent divorce. Parenting during divorce is difficult at any time of the year, but the holiday season brings a new set of challenges. The holiday season can also amplify your teen’s …
By Erin Gustin, PsyD Students come to Pacific Quest from various parts of the country. Some have never traveled to the warmer, more tropical parts of the world. The plants, weather, and culture of Hawaii are unfamiliar and sometimes shocking to them. Working in a garden is likely something they have not felt like doing …
Eight Pacific Quest therapists are currently immersed in the Empowerment and Transformation experiential art and sandplay therapy training program based on the principles of Jungian psychology and the neuropsychology of expressive therapy. Training began in September and will continue until May, 2016. Therapists meet monthly to practice art therapy techniques using mediums such as paint, …
With a new year inevitably comes a new set of resolutions. Our resolutions are often aimed at bettering our bodies, supplementing our social lives or lining our pockets. Lists of the top New Year’s resolutions every year include losing weight, traveling more often, drinking and smoking less, and saving more money. But what about our …
By Theresa Hasting, LMHC You’ve given everything you had; sleepless nights making sure your son stayed in his room, missing work to ensure he went to school, constant vigilance to ensure his safety. You’ve got him in a safe place where he is able to work on these issues. Now what? As we work with …
The results of group therapy vary from one participant to the next, but the benefits are well documented. Group therapy presents a different model of recovery that removes some of the variables present in one-on-one sessions, particularly for those suffering from social anxiety. Group therapy does away with a more severe approach, and offers further …