CLIMB children’s group-support program

It’s a given. Cancer affects the entire family. Yet in too many situations, the undeniable psychosocial impact on the children whose parent or caregiver has cancer often times goes unattended. This may lead to ongoing stress and anxiety for the children, evolving into maladaptive behavior throughout life.

It’s part of our mission to redress this critical oversight. Sharing our mission is The Children’s Treehouse Foundation. Founded in January 2001 in Denver, Colorado, The Children’s Treehouse Foundation is the nation’s only organization providing group-based, psychosocial intervention developed to support the emotional needs of children with a parent or caregiver who has cancer.

The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion is proud to provide The Children’s Treehouse Foundation’s children’s group-support program CLIMB – Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery.

The CLIMB program is based on principles of mental health promotion, not psychotherapy. It is intended for children ages 6 to 11 with an aim to build upon the child’s strengths and increase his/her ability to cope with stress associated with the parent’s illness. Among the goals of CLIMB are to help children understand cancer, not feel isolated, learn to communicate their feelings with others, and learn how to cope with feelings such as sadness, anger, and confusion.

Please check the website often for an announcement of our next CLIMB meeting.