Blog

Never underestimate the power of the wilderness. It tenders a commanding, yet holistic, backdrop to the therapeutic process for troubled teens and young adults. At Pacific Quest, our Wilderness Therapy Program supports students in a peaceful environment, empowering them to make both dynamic and compelling changes to their lives. With the absence of technology, substances …

Rebellion, non-conformity, waywardness or impulsive behavior—whatever you call it, it is often normal (and expected) behavior in adolescents during their teenage years. But if you’re confused about what happened to your once-sweet child who now acts out in a rebellious fashion, you are not alone. Adolescent brains process information differently than adult brains, which translates …

The adolescent years are a critical window of vulnerability for alcohol and drug abuse. Experimentation is common. Unfortunately, often teens don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow. Did you know that by the time teens reach their senior year in high school, almost 70 percent will have tried alcohol, half …

Let’s call a spade a spade: For many teens, their bedroom is their sanctuary. It’s a place where dreams and ambitions may take shape. It’s their “personal” space, and part of establishing ownership in their surroundings and future independence. But if your teen is spending all of her time cooped up in her room, and …

School, work, after-school activities—the demands of modern-day life can easily decrease the time we spend together as a family. But sharing a meal with the entire family each evening is great for the mind, body and soul. Some busy parents may consider sitting down as a family for dinner a luxury but, many professionals consider …

Some teens might always be on the move while others may be parked on a living room couch – but all teens need physical exercise. The effects of exercise and physical activities on both teen’s bodies and mental wellness have been proven time again through a variety of scientific studies. However, as youth age, the …

Communication is a precious life skill, and teaching your teen how to effectively communicate will not only help them throughout their adolescence, but their entire adult life as well. However, preaching to, or nagging at, your teen to open up to you usually isn’t the best route. Common problems for teenagers, such as bullying, body …

June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, and here at Pacific Quest, we offer horticultural therapy as a form a therapy for clients who may be struggling with trauma and/or PTSD. Horticultural therapy has long been used to help people with these conditions. In the 1940s and 1950s, American war veterans — many of …

Every adolescent faces countless changes and shifts throughout their teenage years, making anxiety management a main priority to obtain healthy day-to-day functioning. For most teens, anxiety acts as a gentle prod, pushing them forward through life in a productive way. But for some, anxiety can take over, becoming a chronic burden that stifles their academic …

The more teens want to have freedom, the more routine and structure is necessary to help them navigate it with responsibility. Although few will likely admit to it, what adolescents need more than anything else is consistency and a sense of structure within the family. Unfortunately, the very nature of parenting can make this seemingly …