Youth

Holiday Parties & Alcohol: How to Prevent Impaired Teen Driving

The holiday season is a time of warm-hearted cheer and jovial social engagements. It’s a magical time, where we gather often with friends, family, peers and co-workers to celebrate the season. With all this merriment, however, comes the need for greater care and responsibility. The holiday season provides teens greater exposure to alcohol and events

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

Wilderness Therapy in Hawaii Presents Year-Round Opportunity

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

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,

The Power of Gratitude

By Maureen Riley, MPH, MA Thanksgiving has passed and the holiday season is upon us. However, for students in a therapeutic wilderness program like Pacific Quest, gratitude is always in season. Feelings of gratitude for one’s family members, life opportunities and material possessions, emerge quickly for students who are away from home for an extended

Working Through Compassion Fatigue

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

Encouraging Your College Student to Find a Mentor

January is National Mentoring Month—does your college student have a mentor? According to a report compiled by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, both undergraduate and graduate students alike report mentoring as having helped them develop the proper skills and mindset necessary to succeed professionally. “Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and

Southern California Alumni Events – Coming Soon!

    ALUMNI BEACH CLEAN UP Date: Saturday, February 13th Time: 9:00 am- 12:00 pm Location: Torrey Pines State Beach Activity: Beach cleanup hosted by Surfrider Foundation What to bring: Clothes suitable for weather This is a great opportunity to join forces in promoting healthy oceans and giving back to the community.  After all, we

Dr. Freedle Will Co-Present at NATSAP – La Jolla, CA

Pacific Quest’s Clinical Director, Lorraine Freedle, Ph.D., ABPdN will be co-presenting at the 2016 NATSAP Conference.  The back-to-back presentation entitled, “From Super Power to Darkest Hour: Giftedness… Why Does it Matter?” will take place on Thursday, February 11th from 1:45- 3:15 pm (Part I) and 3:30- 5:00 pm (Part II). Dr. Freedle and Daniel Peters,