Pacific Quest

Staying Healthy During the Holiday Season

By Maile Green, Naturopathic Physician As the holiday season is in full swing, I find myself thinking about my daily routines for creating health.  I believe health and a sense of vitality are more than the absence of disease.  I believe physical and mental health are the product of daily practices and habits that create

A Parallel Journey

By Jody St. Joseph, Adolescent Program Director It wasn’t two very large strangers who woke me in the middle of the night, but it was close enough.  My alarm screamed me awake at about 4 am and before long I was at the airport about to leave behind my doggie, my home, and my family. 

A New Perspective

Written through the voices of incoming Pacific Quest staff and their stories of arrival… (Through the lens of Kenny) As we fly into Hawaii the feeling of nostalgia wouldn’t wear off. I have left my family in the midst of winter to join a group of strangers in the field of troubled youth reform. There

On the Mainland: Pacific Quest Hosts “Ohana Days” & Alumni Reunion Events

By Lori Armbruster, Communications Director In the Hawaiian culture, the word “Ohana” means family, which can be blood-related, adoptive or intentional. The concept emphasizes that families are bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another. When a young person enters Pacific Quest, they become part of a larger Ohana. As they discover the

Pacific Quest Welcomes Johnny Tock

Pacific Quest is pleased to welcome Johnny Tock, LPC as a Primary Clinician. Johnny is a licensed Professional Counselor and holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. He completed his undergraduate studies at Hanover College in Illinois. Johnny brings over twelve years of experience in a variety of therapeutic settings including

OVER 70 ALUMNI TURNED OUT FOR GREAT CAUSE

By: Mike Sullivan, Primary Therapist & Lori Armbruster, Communications Director PQ staff members were honored and humbled by the overwhelming turnout of alumni, students and families who gathered at the San Francisco Children’s Garden in Golden Gate Park for an inspiring day of service to the community! PQ alumni spent the day working side by

Choosing Change: Wilderness Therapy for Your Troubled Adolescent

People aren’t born knowing everything, so as they say, hindsight is 20/20. Parents are there to guide their children using knowledge gained through their own experiences – with school or work, with people, perhaps with drugs. Adults recognize destructive behaviors or situations that can cause problems. And because parents love their children, they want to

Students Have Opportunity to Earn Additional Academic Credits

During a typical eight-week stay, Pacific Quest adolescent students have the opportunity to take six academic courses for a total of four academic credits. The courses include: Career and Technical Education – Horticulture Pathway (0.5 credit) Health Education – Health Education I & II (0.5 credits each = 1 credit) Language Arts – English and

GET TO KNOW: DR. LORRAINE FREEDLE, CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Lorraine R. Freedle is a board certified Pediatric and School Neuropsychologist with over 25 years experience in clinical practice and administration in children’s behavioral health. She has extensive experience treating young people and their families impacted by trauma, loss, substance abuse, ADHD, mood disturbances, TBI, and a variety of neurodevelopmental and learning disorders through

Pacific Quest to Support Upcoming Sky’s the Limit Fundraiser

By Yvette Slagle, Communications Coordinator Pacific Quest is proud to be a Gold Sponsor at the upcoming 3rd annual Nightlights! An Evening of Comedy Benefit Event on May 10th in Menlo Park, California. Sky’s the Limit Fund is an organization that was founded to provide grant money for at-risk youth and their families who would