By Mike Sullivan, Therapist As a major figure in 17th century continental rationalism, Rene Descarte’s perspectives fueled western philosophy, allowing him to become dubbed “the father of modern philosophy.” While Descarte offered valuable insights, his emphasis on the mind- body split (later to be coined Cartesian dualism), has catalyzed a perspective that continues to dominate …
By JD Daubs, Admissions Director I’ve had the opportunity to work in our industry for 10 years and have seen wilderness programs adapt, change and respond to the growing therapeutic and clinical needs of students and families. In my opinion, there’s not a better treatment option for families that have exhausted most or even at …
By Travis Slagle, Horticultural Therapy Director The following article was published in ‘Circles on the Mountain’ Rites of Passage in a Rapidly Changing World, Issue #17, 2013. This is an annual publication of the Wilderness Guides Council. Imagine what the world would be like if wilderness guides of the future became organic farmers. What if …
Pacific Quest wilderness therapy program is pleased to welcome Mark Dunn as a Primary Clinician! Mark has been helping individuals and their families in therapeutic settings for over twenty five years. In 1997, he became a Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor and joined a specialized team that developed specific clinical services for individuals with substance abuse …
By Bridger Jensen, Therapist Each morning, our newly-arrived Nalu and Kuleana adolescent students and staff travel from our sleeping quarters up the mountainside of the great volcano Mauna Kea. The short trip to our day camp is performed in silence to aid in self-reflection. From these historic, rolling hills through which we travel, sugar cane …
By Tess Barnes Dunn, Academic Coordinator Recently, I had an opportunity to spend a day working with my new Pacific Quest colleagues in the area of our garden set aside for our Rites of Passage ceremony, known as Huli Ka’e. A rite of passage is an important event that serves to mark the passage from …
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 …
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 …
The “Dirty Work” of Transformation: Horticultural Therapy & Rites of Passage Presentation to be held Saturday, August 29 in Park City, Utah at the OBH Wilderness Therapy Symposium PQ’s Horticultural Therapy Director, Travis Slagle and Adolescent Field Manager, Clementine Wilson invite you to join them as they present: The “Dirty Work” of Transformation: Horticultural Therapy …
For many of us, winter means snow-covered walkways, freezing temperatures and commutes lengthened by the presence of puddles and slush. However, winter in Hawaii is idyllic, with sunny days and average daily temperatures often hovering around 75°F. These pristine weather conditions mean that outdoor activities continue unabated during the Hawaiian winter. Specifically, winter is a …