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The group was able to visit Green Sands Beach. This was one of those days that makes living in Hawaii so worth it! We started out the day by driving down to South Point. Along the way the group discussed local history, and in particular how the area was probably the first in Hawaii to …

Each week at PQ there are several therapist-run group sessions that touch on a variety of topics.  One of those this week addressed the concepts of peer pressure and “the bystander effect.”  The issue was stirred up by the tragic events of October 24 in Richmond, CA during which a 15-year old girl was raped, …

For many Pacific Quest students, the chance to grow and learn are best continued separate from their home environment. Students enroll in programs and schools around the country and the world. One of these special places is the Southern France Youth Institute in Villeseque sur Corbieres, France. In October, I visited this wonderful school as …

This week we discussed the pillars of health and how they contribute to strong immune systems. The pillars of health are: 1.The Mind/Body Connection 2. Digestion / Nutrition / Water 3. Sleep 4. Breathing 5. Exercise / Movement At Pacific Quest all five of these pillars are reinforced daily leading to healthier and happier students. …

I am the Program Director for Pacific Quest and a founder/owner. This is one of my favorite programmatic points and the excerpt below is taken from one of our staff trainings.

I recently read Gary Ferguson’s Shouting at the Sky.  While the book was originally published in 1999, I got my hands on Hilary’s 2009 copy, a signed copy replete with a new foreword and afterword.  Ferguson’s insights are incredible, as his words convey his personal experience working with teens in a wilderness therapy program.  His …

Punalu’u Outing guided and posting authored by Martha Bouchard. Punalu’u is an area steeped in cultural significance, just minutes from Pacific Quest; some people even claim it may be the real site of the first Polynesian arrival to the island (most often thought to be Ka Lae, South Point). This area is the perfect backdrop …

In Dr. Zimmer’s weekly wellness lesson, the group discussed digestion, nutrition- how food is digested, vitamins absorbed, what creates digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain. The group shared their assignments from the previous week.  They made a menu plan including healthy food with well balanced protein, fat and carbs in each meal. They …

The weather was a bit voggy (an island term used to describe volcanic emissions – like fog) but the sky was clear and sunny.  On the drive, the group discussed volcanes, volcano formation and  unique stories about previous eruptions in recent history. We first stopped at the tree molds so everyone could get an idea …

Therapeutic approaches with at-risk youth need to be creative.  The population demands it.  At-risk youth are rarely going to swing by the therapists office after school for an hour a week and unpack their problems.  Many deny that problems exist and are content with their risky behaviors.  This population requires varied approaches to complex emotional/behavioral …