CLIMB® Support Program

Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery (CLIMB) is a special program developed by The Children's Treehouse Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to the emotional support of children who have parents with cancer. Our facilitators have been specially trained to provide this program.

The CLIMB program at MD Anderson Cancer Center offers two-hour group meetings each week consecutively for six weeks. During these meetings, conversation and art are used to help children identify and appropriately express complex feelings. They are given their own workbook to capture their progress, which they can share with their family at home.

Why is this program important to children?

Children bond very quickly with other children going through a similar experience. They learn that being sad, frightened and even angry is part of this family trial. The sessions help children to moderate their feelings without having to “stuff” them or feel overwhelmed by them.

Teen CLIMB®

Teen CLIMB is a special support program dedicated to helping teens cope with a parent’s cancer diagnosis. The group is available for adolescents and teens ages 13-17 and is held concurrently with CLIMB and the parent group.

What is the cost of the CLIMB program?

This service is being offered free of charge because we believe so completely that stronger families make stronger survivors. Parking validation and dinner are provided.

What about the parents?

We offer a concurrent parent group which takes place at the same time as CLIMB. The parent group is facilitated by social work counselors from the Department of Social Work. It is an educational group where parents can learn and share healthy ways of how to help their children cope with a cancer diagnosis in the family.

Who is eligible?

Children between 6-12 years old are eligible to enroll in the CLIMB program. Teenagers between the ages 13-17 can enroll in Teen CLIMB. The groups are open to children of patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the community. Families will be screened and enrolled for participation in the program.

How do I enroll?

Contact Lindsey Menke, LCSW in the Department of Social Work at 713-792-7575 to inquire about the next group or to register a child.

Groups are held at various times throughout the year and families must register before attending the program. Groups are held at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the medical center. Attendance at all six meetings is strongly recommended.