At the Tree House, our mental health clinicians love what we do. How many people get to do things like read stories, blow bubbles, and play matching games at their jobs?

What we love even more than doing these fun activities is seeing them work. Because stories, bubbles, and games are actually cleverly disguised means of delivering effective treatment interventions, like providing psychoeducation, teaching diaphragmatic breathing, and practicing cognitive restructuring.

Our clinicians have extensive training and experience in treatments that are backed by science and that have been shown to decrease traumatic stress symptoms in children and their caregivers. An immense reward comes from seeing our clients learn how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings, process their traumatic experiences, grow closer with their caregivers, and develop skills to use in the future.

Of course, our work is not always fun. We must ask children to describe memories that they have tried desperately to forget. We must develop safety plans with children experiencing suicidal thoughts. We must ground children who are experiencing PTSD flashbacks in our offices. We must listen intently to depictions of some of the worst aspects of our society, on a regular basis. It is not easy, but we know it is necessary and well worth it.

We are asking you to make a donation so that we can continue doing both the fun and the not-so-fun work that we do. Our team is understaffed, and we have a waiting list for treatment. Understandably, many families choose not to wait, and they seek services elsewhere in the community. Because we are the only organization in Montgomery County that specializes in evidence-based treatments for maltreated children, however, these already vulnerable children are often seen by providers without training in effective treatments or with little trauma experience. 

Many of the children on our waiting list are unable to find services elsewhere because they are uninsured, in foster care, have recently immigrated, or speak little to no English. All of our services are free of charge, regardless of ability to pay. 

Maintaining and, ideally, expanding our ability to provide timely and effective treatment to victims of abuse and their families is critical.

Please consider making a donation to support the Tree House, however small!

Every year hundreds of bicyclists and cookie lovers join together to participate in The Tree House Tour de Cookie.  The ride is great fun and supports services critical to the community.  All proceeds from the event go to The Tree House CAC.  It is a joyful day of fun, festivities, and philanthropy.

The Tree House CAC of Montgomery County MD is dedicated to reducing trauma and promoting healing for child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. For more than twelve years, the Tree House has served as the only child advocacy organization in Montgomery County, Maryland, and in the past year alone has supported over 700 children in the search for hope and healing. 

Our services include:

• comprehensive medical examinations
• mental health assessments
• ongoing mental health therapy for the child and non-offending family members
• victim advocacy
• forensic interviews
• nurse case management
• education & prevention

All of our services are free to victims and their non-offending family members.

Watch the movie below, produced by Green Buzz Agency, to find out more about our event and our organization.