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 M. D. 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.
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 the ages of 6-12 years old are eligible to enroll in the CLIMB® program. This group is open to children of patients at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, as well as the community. Families will be screened and enrolled for participation in the program.
How do I enroll?
Contact Marisa Minor, LCSW in the Department of Social Work at 713-792-6826 for additional information or to register a child. Families must register before attending the group. Both the parent group and the children’s group are held at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Attendance at all six meetings is strongly encouraged. The group is held at various times throughout the year, so please contact Marisa to find out when the next open session begins.
Funding support for CLIMB is provided by the Volunteer Endowment for Patient Support and the Social Work department.
Contact Us
Appointments available
Questions? Need help?
Call askMDAnderson
1-877-MDA-6789