Pacific Quest

11/27/2025

As the sun rises over Hawaiʻi this Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the power of nature, intention, and community.

We’re grateful for every student who takes the brave step into the unknown, every family who trusts us, and every member of our team who helps create the healing experiences Pacific Quest is known for.

May today bring connection, clarity, and gratitude — from our PQ ʻohana to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

11/18/2025

Is your child more hooked on screens than you realize?
Parents.com recently quoted our Admissions Director, Kellyn Smythe, MS, in their article on screen addiction — and his insights are powerful.

Kellyn shares:
“While we’ve yet to fully realize the downstream effects of this new digitized dynamic, the available data overwhelmingly points to a corrosive effect on our children’s mental health and well-being.”

Signs to watch for:
• Choosing screens over friends, family, or sports
• Big mood swings when devices are taken away
• Using screens to self-soothe or escape
• Anxiety, depression, or physical changes tied to screen habits

Kellyn’s guidance:
“Boredom is an essential part of childhood development, and it is in your child’s interest to experience boredom regularly.”

Unstructured time matters.
Healthy modeling matters.
Intentional tech habits matter.

Parents empowers today's families with trustworthy information from experts, empathetic advice, and a supportive community.

11/12/2025

The Role of Family Involvement

We understand that our students don’t suffer in a vacuum. Their families also experience the pain of their setbacks and the joy of their success. Family involvement enhances communication, increases empathy, and develops usable conflict resolution skills. Because, ultimately, for the family to thrive, every individual needs to practice understanding and trust.

Learn more at https://pacificquest.org/families/

11/05/2025

We are proud to offer an enhanced Young Adult Transition Program!

Young Adults who complete this program can now continue their journey to independence with the support and security of established therapeutic relationships.

Plus, families enjoy the continued coaching and support of an expert team of wellness professionals.

Based on a relational model that results in lasting change, PQ’s ultra-customized transitional young adult program is tailored to each resident’s needs.

Contact us today to learn more: Admissions@pacificquest.org

10/30/2025

Why does residential therapy work?
At Pacific Quest, change isn’t just talked about - it’s lived. Through our individualized therapeutic programs, we help residents confront old patterns, step beyond their comfort zones, and gain the tools and confidence to face life.
And we do that every day, for 90 days.
What residents experience:
• 24/7 support & structure to guide every step of the journey
• 90 days of immersive experiences designed to rewire old habits and address root challenges
• Integrated, comprehensive care woven into daily life through individual & family therapy, nature-based experiences, and holistic wellness
• A supportive peer community that reduces isolation, fosters accountability, and encourages empathy
Learn more about Pacific Quest: https://pacificquest.org/

Applying decades of expertise focused on one simple goal…healing families. Pacific Quest provides fully licensed and accredited residential mental healthcare on the Island of Hawaii. Our integrative, individualized approach combines specialized clinical care, nature-based experiences and holistic ...

10/23/2025

Ever wondered what a day looks like for a teen at Pacific Quest?
Here's a sample snapshot of a daily journey through our residential treatment program. And because our integrative care plans are personalized for each resident, no two days will be the same.
• Wake up, begin with yoga or other sensory activity and have breakfast with the group.
• Morning activities can include connecting with nature, individual and group therapy sessions, academic curriculum, experiential learning activities, team-building initiatives, and exercise.
• Afternoons can include garden care, downtime, and wellness checks, followed by staff check-ins and a group dinner.
• Winding down for the evening means hang-out time, self-care, evening meditation and stretching, and journaling.
At Pacific Quest, each day is designed to nurture self-sufficiency, resilience, and personal growth in a supportive, nature-rich environment.
Learn more about our adolescent program: https://pacificquest.org/adolescents/

10/16/2025

At Pacific Quest, we focus on nurturing the whole person through our Five Pillars of Wellness:
• Nutrition: We believe "food is medicine," and our residents learn that what someone puts in their body directly affects how they feel.
• Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the link between emotions and physical sensations helps residents manage stress and trauma through somatic-based interventions.
• Sleep: By aligning daily routines with natural light and practicing sleep hygiene, residents develop restorative sleep patterns that enhance overall well-being.
• Breathing: Breathing exercises serve as tools to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional regulation.
• Movement: Daily physical activities – from yoga to outdoor adventures – boost mood and resilience, supporting both mental and physical health.
These critical pillars are woven into daily life at Pacific Quest, creating a foundation for lasting change.
Learn more today: https://pacificquest.org/medical-wellness-program/

WELLNESS PROGRAMOur Integrated Health and Medical Wellness ProgramPacific Quest’s focus on whole-person wellness addresses the clinical and medical complexity of each individual. Specifically, our fully integrated clinical and medical team teaches students to focus on five pillars of wellness—nu...

10/07/2025

Aloha from YATA 2025!

We’re honored to host the Opening Reception Luau. A celebration of connection, collaboration, and community. Don’t forget to wear your best Hawaiian shirt and join us for some island vibes to kick off an incredible week!

09/24/2025

Healing doesn’t end at discharge.

At Pacific Quest, we understand that transitions can be tender. That’s why we offer Continued Therapeutic Services. Keeping families connected with their primary therapist, parent coaching, and ongoing therapeutic guidance.

It’s more than aftercare. It’s a bridge of compassion, helping young people and families carry forward the strength, hope, and connection they’ve built here.

To learn more, contact Admissions@pacificquest.org

09/18/2025

We’re proud to share that our Admissions Director, Kellyn Smythe, MS, was featured on The Reframe podcast! 🎙️

During this conversation, he shares some important insights on the challenges youth face in the world today, how resilience can be nurtured with compassion, and the role Pacific Quest plays in supporting families.

We invite you to take a moment to listen to the full episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-risk-of-playing-it-safe-with-kellyn-smythe/id1831594427?i=1000723066454

09/08/2025

Pacific Quest is honored to be a sponsor at the Out of the Darkness Walk, a su***de prevention event, on Saturday, September 14th, at Kapiʻolani Park in Honolulu.

We are passionate about standing with the Hawaiʻi community and the Department of Health to raise awareness, bring hope, and remind one another that healing is possible.

The Out of the Darkness Walks, created by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, take place in hundreds of communities nationwide.

They give people the courage to share their stories, the strength to support one another, and a way to honor those we’ve lost while lifting those who are still struggling.

For more information about the walk on Oʻahu, please visit the link in our bio. Together, we can shine a light in the darkness.

***dePrevention

09/01/2025

🌊 This week, our young adults practiced more than paddling.

Out on the water, every stroke requires coordination, communication, and persistence.

These outings are often a highlight of the week, bringing joy, connection, and adventure, while also serving as structured therapeutic experiences designed to build skills that matter in daily life.

For both adolescents and young adults, outdoor activities here at Pacific Quest create opportunities to practice:

✅ Teamwork: moving in sync with others
✅ Resilience: staying steady through challenge
✅ Problem-solving: adapting to changing conditions
✅ Mindfulness: finding focus, flow and a sense of calm

Our integrative approach to behavioral health weaves these experiential lessons together with evidence-based clinical care, helping residents translate what they learn on the water into tools for independence, relationships, and long-term wellbeing.

We are grateful to do this work in Hawaiʻi, where the natural environment is more than scenery; it is part of the treatment team, offering daily opportunities for growth, balance, and resilience.