News

Staff Spotlight: Academic Coordinator, Janna Pate, MA, MS

Janna earned her Master of Science in Special Education through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program at Pace University, as well as her MA in English from Texas Christian University. Before coming to Pacific Quest, Janna taught English at a high school for students with severe emotional issues in the Bronx. She also taught

Making Connections: Healthy Attachment and Healing

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

Second Annual Ka’u Coffee Trail Run

On Saturday, September 19th, approximately 18 Pacific Quest employees participated in the 2nd Annual Ka’u Coffee Trail Run–The Southernmost Coffee Trail Run in the USA!  The goal of this event was to help raise money for the economically depressed community, via the non-profit organization O Ka’u Kakou.  All funds raised went to O Ka’u Kakou

It’s Race Day!

Mike Sullivan, M.A., LMHC Family & Alumni Services Director The air in Kona is electrified!  It is World Championship Ironman race week and the world’s most elite athletes are pouring into town. The streets are packed with sinewy triathletes clad in neon triathlon suits acclimating to Kona humidity and sweltering temperatures.  They pedal machines that

In The Field: A Conversation with Program Supervisor, Deborah Givens

Deborah Givens, BA YA Program Supervisor Deborah is a Program Supervisor at our Young Adult program.  Her primary responsibilities are risk management for the program and providing field support for the students and guides during daily field operations.  Program Supervisors are the first line of support for the Program Guides. The position is a residential

“Mike Sullivan… YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!”

Mike Sullivan, M.A., LMHC Family & Alumni Services Director It was mile 16 of the final leg of the Kona Ironman World Championship that I hit the proverbial “wall.” My running pace slowed dramatically as my feet began to feel like cement blocks. My hips ached and my stride weakened.  My right calf muscle seized

Malama I Ka ‘Aina: A Community Service Project

By Lauren Meyer – Assistant Program Supervisor This past Friday, a few of our Malama students took a break from camp to set out into the community of Na’alehu with a purpose. With a trunk full of tools, and smiles on our faces, we took off down the road to a neighbor’s house. In this house lives

Scott Boice Joins PQ’s Clinical Team

Pacific Quest is excited to announce the addition of therapist, Scott Boice, LPC, LMHC to its Clinical Department.  Scott is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Hawaii and will be providing clinical services to adolescent and young adult students. Scott earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young

Hawaii: A Prodigal Paradise to a Gardener

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

PQ Therapists Immersed In Art and Sandplay Therapy Training

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,