We are career professionals in the people-helping field. We offer a wide variety of many years of experience. We are passionately committed to providing transformative and healing experiences.
Our Team
Dikke Hansen, MSW, LMSW
Co-founder, Lead Program Facilitator
Dikke@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Dikke has over thirty years of experience in clinical social work and social service administration, as well as working with children and their families using play therapy and other experiential techniques. She holds a Certificate of Mastery on Global Mental Health/Trauma and Recovery from Harvard. Dikke is currently Director of Behavioral Health at Outer Cape Health Services of Cape Cod and maintains a private practice. With Growing Edge Adventures, she is one of two lead program facilitators. Originally from Norway, Dikke has a love of travel and brings a global-mindedness that shapes all of our programs. Her strong belief in resiliency and the transformational power of the “growing edge” makes her a powerful program leader.
Tina Johnson, MA, LPC
Co-founder, Lead Program Facilitator
Tina@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Tina has worked as a psychotherapist and administrator for over thirty years in organizational and private practice settings. Besides working with individuals and couples, she has extensive experience in the facilitation of group workshops, training and retreats for parent groups, families, teachers, students and organizations, as well as many years of experience working with children and their families using play therapy and other experiential techniques. Because of her own personal journey to integrate the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements of herself, she is committed to supporting others in their process of transformational integration. Tina believes strongly in the importance of the inner journey and her ability to create a healing environment for people to take this journey is unparalleled, making Growing Edge programs a truly unforgettable and meaningful experience.
David Knaggs, LMSW
Co-founder, Chief Business Advisor
David@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Dave began his career with two years in the Peace Corps, working on rural community development with the Miskito Indians in a remote section of Honduras. After working for an additional two years as a mental health therapist he decided too many of his clients needed mental health treatment because of life experiences they should not have had to endure in the first place. He then shifted to early intervention and system change, working for the next 24 years in children’s services for the State of Michigan followed by teaching Leadership in Strength-Based Social Change for 14 years in the Social Work Masters program at Michigan State University. His work in the areas of transformation, self-awareness, and the power of relationships has been instrumental in our company’s programmatic direction. Dave serves as the chief business advisor for Growing Edge Adventures.
Connie Knaggs, MSW, LMSW, ACSW
Co-founder, Program Facilitator
Connie@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Connie has practiced counseling, psychotherapy, and clinical supervision in both public and private settings for over thirty years. Her current work integrates the discoveries of neuroscience with the process of personal growth and change. Connie uses “brain-wise” methods to inform traditional models of intervention and to facilitate people’s journey toward self discovery and resiliency. She is particularly skilled at translating complex ideas into memorable and useful language as a means of helping participants consider how to improve their quality of life. Connie offers her expertise to Growing Edge Adventures by facilitating sessions and providing advice on programmatic direction.
Sara Blandford, MSW, LCSW
Operations Coordinator
Sara@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Sara worked in humanitarian aid for over ten years. Her experiences have taken her to West Africa, Turkey, India and Sri Lanka. Sara’s role in bearing witness to many stories of adversity and resilience with families separated by armed conflict and natural disaster inspired her to further her studies. With a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston University, Sara currently works as a clinical social worker doing therapy with adults and children. With Growing Edge Adventures, Sara serves as the Operations Coodinator.
Leo Blandford, MSW, LCSW
Strategic Planning/Program Consultant
Leo@GrowingEdgeAdventures.com
Leo has worked in humanitarian aid for over ten years. Leo has supported international programs through work in finance and administration. He also designed and implemented a livelihoods project in tsunami-affected Sri Lanka. Working overseas has given him an appreciation for the role of travel and service in personal transformation. Leo has his Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston University and provides advocacy and services in the areas of mental health, housing, and substance abuse. He serves as a strategic planning and program consultant with Growing Edge Adventures.
Erik Schoon
Overseas Trip Consultant
Erik has worked and traveled overseas for close to twenty years. He has visited over 50 countries, and lived in Scotland, Greece, US Virgin Islands, and Thailand. Erik has lead countless trips in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He has a passion for travel and a gift for connecting his travelers with authentic local experiences. Erik serves as Overseas Trip Consultant for Growing Edge Adventures.