Pacific Quest

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.

08/25/2025

Back-to-school season brings both excitement and stress.

While we often idealize childhood as carefree, youth alone offers no shield against the emotional challenges many young people face.

From adapting to new routines or online learning, to social pressures, peer conflicts, or struggles at home, growing up in a complex world can feel anything but easy.

The good news is that resilience, the ability to adapt well to stress, adversity, or change can be learned and strengthened.

Research from the American Psychological Association, shows that students who build skills for managing stress and cultivating empathy are better able to navigate uncertainty and thrive.

These skills are central to our adolescent and young adult programs at Pacific Quest, and they’re useful far beyond the classroom.

Here are some strategies that can help students & and adults alike develop resilience:

💡 Name the feelings. Acknowledge emotions honestly: “It sounds like you’re anxious” or “I’m noticing I feel stressed.” Naming emotions helps us understand and manage them.

💡 Create routines and rituals. Predictable daily patterns provide comfort and a sense of control, whether it’s a regular bedtime, study schedule, or family check-in.

💡 Take mindful pauses. Deep abdominal breathing, focusing on your five senses, or short mindfulness exercises can help regulate emotions in stressful moments.

💡 Help others. Even small acts of kindness or volunteering can foster a sense of purpose and empowerment.

💪 What are your favorite ways to build your resilience muscle?

08/19/2025

Recently in Santa Clara, our team had the joy of co-sponsoring a dinner with Muir Wood Adolescent & Family Services, gathering with the incredible therapists of Santa Clara Valley CAMFT (Association of Marriage and Family Therapists).

We shared stories, laughter, and meaningful conversations that reminded us of the power of social connections and being present with one another.

In fact, did you know that strong social connections can increase longevity by nearly 50% (Smith, 2023)?

That’s why moments like these matter so deeply.

Here are a few simple ways to grow connection in your everyday life:

✅ Call a friend just to check in. Even a quick 5 minutes makes a difference.
✅ Share a meal without distractions and focus on listening.
✅ Join a local group or volunteer.
✅ Practice kindness daily. A smile, a thank you, or a kind word are great ways to spark connection.

We are deeply grateful to have connected with so many passionate professionals making a profound difference in the lives of others.

Perhaps this can act as a gentle reminder that we don’t need to wait for connection to happen; we can create it.

Each small gesture of connection not only brightens someone else’s day, but ours as well!

08/12/2025

Join us for an interactive Virtual Open House, TODAY, August 12th.

TIME: 8:30am HI/11:30am PT/2:30pm ET
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/HZurXw7ETfKMjV5ME73rwg

Whether you’re an alumni, parent, referring professional, mental health provider, or simply curious about our integrative behavioral health program, you’re warmly welcome.

Come connect, ask questions, and learn more.

We look forward to seeing you!

08/06/2025

The best rooms for healing don’t have ceilings.

At Pacific Quest, we know that well-being, growth and personal transformation thrive in open spaces, and in meaningful, healthy relationships with yourself and with others.

It blossoms under blue skies, takes root in rich conversations and reflection, and strengthens with every breath of fresh air.

Whole-person health looks different here.

It’s compassionate medical care with our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Britta Zimmer, and her knowledgeable team.

It’s in impactful conversations with your therapist, surrounded by a beautiful natural environment.

It’s shared moments of connection, growth, and hope with peers and families who walk this journey alongside you.

Every part of our integrative model is designed to nurture the whole person.

Join us for our Virtual Open House on Tuesday, August 12th at 11:30am PT/2:30pm ET to experience just how our integrative and nature-first approach transforms lives.

Plus, meet many of the dedicated team members who walk this journey with every family we serve.

We look forward to seeing you there! All are welcome!

🔗 Register here today: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/HZurXw7ETfKMjV5ME73rwg