Monday, July17, 2012
Interview by Lon Woodbury
Residential Therapist Katie Kasenchak and Land Supervisor Travis Slagle from Pacific Quest in Hawaii were interviewed by Lon Woodbury on his once a week L.A. Talk Radio Show. They talked about their work using the principle of Sustainable Growth (TM) as well as the practice of Horticultural Therapy in helping troubled teens develop more maturity and life skills.
Background
Travis Slagle began working for Pacific Quest in 2006, where his students planted some of the first trees in the Pacific Quest gardens. He is a member of the Hawaiian Organic Farmers Association and the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Travis has over ten years of experience working with youth in wilderness, residential, and horticultural programs and he brings a dynamic approach to his role as Land Supervisor.
Dr. Kathryn Kasenchak signed up with Pacific Quest after four years with Psychological Solutions in the San Francisco Bay location. She gained a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Pepperdine University, as well as obtained her doctorate from the Wright Institute. She has been collaborating with at-risk kids as well as adolescents as far back as 1996. Today, she functions as part of the therapeutic group at Pacific Quest.
Pacific Quest is an internationally recognized therapeutic program serving families from all over the world. The pioneering program goes beyond traditional wilderness therapy by focusing on teaching sustainable life skills on the Big Island of Hawaii. The innovative Sustainable Growth approach established by Pacific Quest positions it as a leader in treatment for troubled adolescents and young adults.
What Is Horticultural Therapy?
Although the Pacific Quest program does use wilderness therapy concepts in helping young people heal by getting back in touch with nature, the focus is remarkably different. Unlike traditional wilderness therapy, which focuses on overcoming nature, horticultural therapy uses the idea of gardening as a way to work with nature.
Teenagers invest from eight to twelve weeks at the three camping grounds in Pacific Quest, where they discover the best ways to grow organic vegetables, prepare food for the camp kitchen area, and sell their fruit and vegetables at the regional Farmer's Market. The staff uses all these experiences to draw metaphors for community living as well as life skills. Travis, as an example, often shares an analogy with his students about the difference between a nutritious tomato and a wholesome personality. He mentions to pupils that the sweetest tomatoes are those that have needed to strain against the elements to survive. The two guests also described exactly how gardening may assist teens learn mindfulness and executive functioning, as well as giving back to the neighborhood.
Interview by Lon Woodbury
Residential Therapist Katie Kasenchak and Land Supervisor Travis Slagle from Pacific Quest in Hawaii were interviewed by Lon Woodbury on his once a week L.A. Talk Radio Show. They talked about their work using the principle of Sustainable Growth (TM) as well as the practice of Horticultural Therapy in helping troubled teens develop more maturity and life skills.
Background
Travis Slagle began working for Pacific Quest in 2006, where his students planted some of the first trees in the Pacific Quest gardens. He is a member of the Hawaiian Organic Farmers Association and the American Horticultural Therapy Association. Travis has over ten years of experience working with youth in wilderness, residential, and horticultural programs and he brings a dynamic approach to his role as Land Supervisor.
Dr. Kathryn Kasenchak signed up with Pacific Quest after four years with Psychological Solutions in the San Francisco Bay location. She gained a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Pepperdine University, as well as obtained her doctorate from the Wright Institute. She has been collaborating with at-risk kids as well as adolescents as far back as 1996. Today, she functions as part of the therapeutic group at Pacific Quest.
Pacific Quest is an internationally recognized therapeutic program serving families from all over the world. The pioneering program goes beyond traditional wilderness therapy by focusing on teaching sustainable life skills on the Big Island of Hawaii. The innovative Sustainable Growth approach established by Pacific Quest positions it as a leader in treatment for troubled adolescents and young adults.
What Is Horticultural Therapy?
Although the Pacific Quest program does use wilderness therapy concepts in helping young people heal by getting back in touch with nature, the focus is remarkably different. Unlike traditional wilderness therapy, which focuses on overcoming nature, horticultural therapy uses the idea of gardening as a way to work with nature.
Teenagers invest from eight to twelve weeks at the three camping grounds in Pacific Quest, where they discover the best ways to grow organic vegetables, prepare food for the camp kitchen area, and sell their fruit and vegetables at the regional Farmer's Market. The staff uses all these experiences to draw metaphors for community living as well as life skills. Travis, as an example, often shares an analogy with his students about the difference between a nutritious tomato and a wholesome personality. He mentions to pupils that the sweetest tomatoes are those that have needed to strain against the elements to survive. The two guests also described exactly how gardening may assist teens learn mindfulness and executive functioning, as well as giving back to the neighborhood.
About the Author:
The founder of Struggling Teens, Lon Woodbury has the recorded the entire interview on his weekly L.A. Talk Radio show for people to listen to at any time.
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