Pacific Quest

🌱 Our Purpose at Pacific Quest 🌱
At Pacific Quest, our purpose is to cultivate trust and belonging so that every individual feels empowered to achieve health, growth, and connection.

We guide our students toward their full potential by fostering a safe space for transformation. 💪💚

🏥 Professionalism at Pacific Quest 🧠
We take pride in providing premium, multi-disciplinary health services that address the mental, physical, and relational aspects of wellness. Our approach integrates expertise across multiple fields to ensure each individual receives the care they need to thrive. 🌿

🍃 Health at Pacific Quest 🌼
Health is more than just the body; it’s a whole-person approach that integrates mindful programming, effective communication, and immersive experiences. Through this, we empower our students to unlock their full potential, one step at a time. 🌱

🤝 Connection at Pacific Quest 💡
At the heart of growth is connection. We focus on developing secure relationships through empathy, role-modeling, and creativity. These strong connections create the foundation for long-lasting change and emotional wellness. 🫂

💪 Resilience at Pacific Quest 🌊
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about cultivating self and relational awareness, embracing varied experiences, and learning to turn change into meaningful action. Through our unique programming, we help build resilience for a lifetime of growth. 🌿

🎓 Academic Growth Meets Therapeutic Development 🌿

At Pacific Quest, our academic courses are designed to align with both our therapeutic curriculum and national standards, including the Common Core. We strive to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience that supports both academic achievement and personal growth.

Each course is carefully tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide specialized accommodations for learning differences to ensure every student can thrive. 📚✨

Our accredited program through Cognia and the North Central Association allows students to earn transferable credits, empowering them to continue their educational journey with confidence!

At Pacific Quest, we believe that healing goes beyond the classroom or therapy sessions—it's about connecting with nature and finding balance. Our water outings are an integral part of the holistic experience, offering students the opportunity to explore Hawaii's beautiful coastlines, practice mindfulness, and engage in experiential learning.

These moments foster personal growth, build confidence, and encourage connection with both nature and peers. 🌅✨

🌿 Creating Spaces for Growth🌿

At Pacific Quest, we believe that the environment plays a crucial role in healing and personal development. That's why we’ve enhanced our adolescent students' living areas at our Reed's Bay campus! 🏡✨

These improvements create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing space where students can reflect, reset, and engage fully in their therapeutic journey. Focusing on comfort, connection, and sustainability, we’re helping our students build the foundation for long-term mental, emotional, and physical well-being. 🌱💚

Every detail, from the cozy living quarters to peaceful outdoor spaces, supports their growth and transformation.

At Pacific Quest, our integrative wellness approach ensures students benefit from a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet. We support mental and physical healing by incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, and balanced fats. 🌱

While inflammation is a natural response by our immune system to protect us, chronic inflammation can lead to severe health issues.

✨ Here's what to include in your diet:

- Leafy Greens like spinach & kale for fiber and antioxidants.
- Berries and citrus for flavonoids and vitamin C.
- Legumes like beans & lentils for fiber and minerals.
- Turmeric, Ginger, & Spices for anti-inflammatory properties.
- Omega-3s in fatty fish & nuts.
- Fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt are good for gut health.

Nourish your body, fight inflammation, and thrive with whole, fresh foods! 💪🌱

The Foods That Fight Inflammation Chronic inflammation can be a silent killer, but your diet can play a role in tamping it down.

At Pacific Quest, our therapeutic programs are designed around your family's unique needs, not your insurance provider. This allows us to prioritize individualized care tailored to each student’s growth and healing. For this reason, we are not in-network with insurance providers, and coverage is never guaranteed.

However, we’ve found that families with strong out-of-network benefits may receive partial coverage in many cases. Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Verify your out-of-network benefits with your provider
2️⃣ Submit necessary documentation after enrollment
3️⃣ We’ll assist in navigating the process to help you gain coverage for portions of your stay.

We are committed to helping you find the best path for your family’s healing journey. 💚

PQ Insurance Explained Insurance is complicated. Here's how it works.

🌿 Big News from Pacific Quest!🌿

We're excited to share a major success—our ongoing efforts to secure insurance reimbursement for families are paying off! 🙌 By working closely with insurance experts, we've been able to help more families get the financial support they need, making our life-changing programs more accessible than ever before.

At Pacific Quest, we're committed to creating opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation—and now, we’re doing even more to ensure that more families can benefit from our services. 💚

Do you have questions about how we can help with insurance reimbursement? Contact us today to learn more about how we’re expanding access to our programs.

🌟Staff Spotlight: Annette Nickontro 🌟

Meet Annette Nickontro, our incredible Food Service Supervisor here at Pacific Quest! 🍽️ Annette plays a vital role in our program by focusing on the total integrative wellness of our students through thoughtfully prepared, healthy meals. 🌱 Her passion for wellness and nutrition shines through every dish she creates, helping our students feel nurtured from the inside out.

Her approach goes beyond just providing nutritious food—Annette ensures that each meal supports our students' physical, emotional, and mental well-being, contributing to their overall healing journey. 💚

Thank you, Annette, for your dedication and care in making Pacific Quest a place where our students can thrive! 🙌

🌿 At Pacific Quest, we're committed to creating a space where our residents feel a true sense of belonging and comfort. ✨

We recently refreshed our space with new furniture and vibrant, soothing artwork to enhance that homelike atmosphere. These updates go beyond aesthetics—they’re part of our mission to nurture healing, connection, and a strong sense of ohana. 💚

By fostering a warm, inviting environment, we aim to support the emotional and mental well-being of everyone in our community. 🏡💫

https://mailchi.mp/f9b9f6a2774d/creating-a-warm-inviting-space-at-pacific-quest

Creating a Warm, Inviting Space at Pacific Quest

Exciting News for Pacific Quest Families!

We are proud to share that Pacific Quest has seen incredible success with insurance reimbursement for our clients! 🌿 Navigating mental health treatment can be challenging, but we’re committed to making the process smoother for families. Our dedicated team works diligently with insurance providers to help families access the necessary care and support.

With a focus on quality, individualized treatment, we’ve helped numerous families secure coverage for a wide range of services, including therapy, nature-based interventions, and holistic wellness programs.

🌟 If you’re wondering about your insurance options, we’re here to help! Feel free to reach out to our team to learn more about how we can support you through the process. 💙

🐾 Meet Aowyn, Pacific Quest’s Therapy Canine!*🐾

Aowyn is a ten-year-old rescue dog from South Carolina who has been spreading joy and comfort since she became a certified emotional support animal in 2013. 🌟 Now, she’s part of the Pacific Quest family, providing love and support to our clients through animal-assisted therapeutic activities.

In her spare time, she enjoys long walks, playing with her favorite toys, and spending time with her loving family.

We’re so grateful to have Aowyn as part of the team, where she’s making a pawsitive impact on everyone she meets! 💕

🌟 Staff Highlight Lesley Hudson, Primary Therapist 🌿

We are thrilled to spotlight Lesley Hudson, one of our incredible Primary Therapists at Pacific Quest! With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Lesley has worked with adolescents, young adults, and families at various stages of treatment. Her extensive background includes therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness-based programs, college counseling, and community mental health organizations.

Lesley is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and nature-based experiential therapy. She is also passionate about trauma-informed care, with a focus on supporting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Her clinical lens is deeply rooted in family systems, attachment theory, and neurobiology, but Lesley’s approach is inherently relational and person-centered. As she says, "We all seek to be seen, heard, understood, and valued." 💙

Lesley chose Pacific Quest because of our nature-based therapy, whole-person wellness, and family-centered approach to treatment. She’s pursuing certification in Somatic Experiencing, a neurobiological approach to trauma treatment.

When she’s not helping clients on their healing journey, you’ll find Lesley paddleboarding, practicing yoga, traveling, playing guitar, and singing! 🎶 She’s also an outdoor adventure enthusiast and loves learning about the natural environment.

We are so grateful to have Lesley on our team! 🌺

Pacific Quest is thrilled to announce that our Admissions Director, Kellyn Smythe, has been nominated to the Therapeutic Consulting Association (TCA) Board as a Program Representative (Non-Voting Member).

Kellyn’s journey in youth mentorship began in 2006, and his passion for helping students has only grown stronger. With a Master’s in Applied Mathematics, he spent nine years teaching before transitioning into behavioral coaching, where he supported students facing anxiety, depression, and motivation challenges. Since joining Pacific Quest in 2014, Kellyn has been an invaluable asset to countless students and families.

🌿 His nomination to the TCA Board highlights his dedication and impact on the therapeutic community, and we couldn’t be prouder! Congratulations, Kellyn! 👏

Pacific Quest is thrilled to welcome our new Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Rob Gent, PhD, LPC, to our team. Dr. Gent is an accomplished clinician and expert in psychotherapeutic development, with a distinguished career that spans over two decades.

Dr. Gent joins Pacific Quest after a successful tenure at a prominent healthcare company. His dedication to advancing clinical development, practice, and research has made him a nationally recognized presenter, educator, and expert in the field of clinical therapy and treatment.

Dr. Gent holds a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis on neurobiology and the science of relationship and development. His work is centered on the advancement and development of integrative health, where neurological, psychological, physiological, and relational development interrelate to create optimal healing and functionality. He remains deeply committed to innovating the science of integrative health and implementing research to enhance the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

In his new role as Chief Clinical Officer at Pacific Quest, Dr. Gent will oversee the clinical program, ensuring the highest standards of care and leading a dedicated team of professionals. His passion for integrated care aligns perfectly with Pacific Quest’s mission to provide compassionate and effective treatment to those in need.

"We are confident that Dr. Gent’s expertise and visionary approach will greatly contribute to the continued success and growth of Pacific Quest," said Nick Vejvoda, Executive Director. "We look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly make and are enthusiastic about our future. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rob Gent to Pacific Quest!"

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Rob Gent has practiced his relational expertise through 28 years of marriage to his loving wife and raising their two boys. Dr. Gent has a deep passion for motorcycles, surfing, and sailing, interests he acquired growing up in Southern California. On weekends, you can often find him on the motocross track or at the beach with his sons. Dr. Gent and his wife met during their undergraduate years in San Diego and have enjoyed living in various parts of the U.S. while building organizations that prioritize effective treatment and healthy business practices.

Dr. Gent’s personal and professional journey reflects a commitment to excellence, both in his family life and his work. His arrival at Pacific Quest marks a new chapter of innovation and growth for our organization.

By writing down your thoughts and feelings, you can feel better and gain clarity and perspective on your experience.

At PQ, residents are at the water multiple times a week, or almost every day.🌊