"When you connect to the heart of a child, anything is possible."
— Dr. Karyn Purvis
Designed by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children.
TBRI® uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs, and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors.
While the intervention is based on years of attachment, sensory processing, and neuroscience research, the heartbeat of TBRI® is connection.
Who is it for?
TBRI® is designed to meet the complex needs of children who have experienced adversity, early harm, toxic stress, and/or trauma. Because of their histories, it is often difficult for these children to trust the loving adults in their lives, which often results in perplexing or destructive behaviors.
TBRI® offers practical tools for parents, caregivers, teachers, or anyone who works with children and teens who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), to see the “whole child” in their care and help that child reach their highest potential.
- Educators
- School Administrators
- Law Enforcement
- School Counselors
- Resource Officers
- Youth Ministers
- Workforce Development Staff
- School Bus Drivers
- Sport Coaches
- Non-profit staff
- Juvenile Justice Professionals (probation officrs, detention staffs)
- Social Workers / Case Managers
- Mental Health Professionals (therapists, psychologists)
- Early Childhood Providers (daycare, preschool teachers)
- After School Program Staff
- Mentors / Youth Program Leaders
We anticipate future trainings for parents and caregivers (including foster and adoptive parents)
Why use TBRI®?
Due to many system failures, millions of children have been exposed to multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Those experiences alter the brain’s development and, therefore, how the child behaves, learns, and responds. Distrust and detachment from adults becomes embedded early in life.
Because of their histories, children who have experienced trauma have changes in their bodies, brains, behaviors, and belief systems. While a variety of parenting strategies may be successful in typical circumstances, children with histories of harm need caregiving that meets their unique needs and addresses the whole child.
TBRI equips professionals with tools to connect, develop trusting relationships, and redirect behavior. Research and practice has shown that any child benefits from a nurturing, trusting relationship with a safe adult.
We offer TBRI training because classrooms, family dynamics, and public safety have spiralled into disruptive and dangerous behavior. Research shows that TBRI can interrupt those behaviors to bring healing to hurting children and to create stable learning environments and safer communities.
Measures of Success
After a two-year period of implementation, school data has shown:
68%
88%
95%
- What is the Center for Relational Healing?
The Center for Relational Healing (CRH) is an initiative of The Ethics Project dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities through trauma-informed practices, education, and collaboration.
Grounded in the science of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) and other evidence-based approaches, the Center works to address the root causes of behavioral challenges, violence, and disconnection by strengthening healthy relationships between youth and the adults who serve them.
The Center serves as a training, resource, and collaboration hub, bringing together educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, faith leaders, caregivers, and community organizations to learn practical strategies for supporting children and families who have experienced adversity and trauma.
Through professional training, community education, and strategic partnerships, the Center for Relational Healing seeks to shift systems away from purely punitive responses and toward approaches that promote connection, resilience, accountability, and long-term healing.
By equipping frontline professionals and caregivers with research-based tools, the Center aims to help communities reduce cycles of trauma and build environments where children and families can thrive.
Trainings
TBRI trainings are designed for groups of up to 50 professionals in various settings across the St. Louis region. Each session is conducted by two KPICD certified practitioners over the course of two, six-hour days.
The facilitated trainings include instruction, Q&As, demonstration videos, small group practice opportunities, and ongoing support. A continental breakfast and lunch are provided both days.
To participate or for info:
Why TBRI? Because we believe that every child can go from this...
... To this
We believe that every child deserves to.
For more information or to register for a TBRI training, please email us at
To strengthen community well-being and resilience by providing solutions to trauma’s impact and supporting the conditions that allow children, families, and communities to thrive.
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Contact
- [email protected]
- 40 N. Kingshighway 12F St. Louis, MO 63108
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