Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) 

Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) 

Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) is a holistic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approach designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children—particularly those who have experienced abuse, neglect, loss, or other forms of relational trauma. Developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, TBRI® helps caregivers and professionals build trusting relationships, promote healing, and create safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive. View Introductory Video

TBRI® is built on the understanding that connection is the foundation for healing and learning, and that children’s challenging behaviors are often rooted in unmet needs. The model includes three core principles:

View Slide Show

Connecting: Building Trust and Relationships

Connection is at the heart of TBRI®. Children from hard places often struggle with trust due to inconsistent or harmful relationships early in life. The Connecting principle focuses on building meaningful, safe relationships between caregivers and children.

Strategies include:

• Eye contact, safe touch, and engagement to promote felt safety

• Playful interactions to disarm fear and build attachment

• Mindful presence—being emotionally and physically available to the child

By fostering genuine connection, adults help children feel seen, heard, and valued, which is essential for emotional regulation and learning.

Empowering: Addressing Physical and Emotional Needs

Children who’ve experienced trauma often struggle with body regulation, sensory processing, and unmet physical needs. The Empowering principle ensures that their biological and emotional needs are being met, creating the conditions for calm, focus, and growth.

Strategies include:

• Proactive empowerment: Meeting basic needs like hydration, nutrition, and movement before dysregulation occurs

• Sensory regulation: Providing tools and environments that support children’s sensory processing needs

• Emotional empowerment: Teaching children language for emotions and helping them recognize their internal states

Empowering helps children gain control over their bodies and emotions, laying the groundwork for self-regulation and resilience.

Correcting: Trauma-Informed Behavioral Strategies

Traditional discipline methods often fail with children from hard places, as these children may respond to correction with fear or defiance. The Correcting principle focuses on teaching children appropriate behaviors through connection and compassion, rather than punishment.

Strategies include:

• Immediate, connected correction through teaching moments that emphasize relationship over control

• Levels of response, ranging from playful redirection to structured, calm discipline

• Skill-building and role-play to help children learn and practice new behaviors

Correcting with empathy allows caregivers and educators to guide behavior while preserving the child’s dignity and attachment, reinforcing safety and trust.

In summary, TBRI® equips caregivers and educators with tools to respond to children’s needs rather than react to their behaviors. By focusing on Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting, adults can help children from hard places feel safe, learn new skills, and experience healing relationships—both in the classroom and at home.

Learn more at: https://child.tcu.edu/about-us/tbri/#sthash.M15fUhy5.dpbs 

Additional Resources 

• The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family: https://www.amazon.com/Connected-Child-healing-adoptive-family/dp/0071475001 

• Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms https://adoptioncouncil.org/publications/adoption-advocate-no-75/ 

• TBRI® Classroom Resources https://child.tcu.edu/tbri-for-teachers/#sthash.fS3eJUPg.dpbs  

• KPICD YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBW9RKLvTR5C46ey7gy3NuA/videos  

• TBRI® An Overview: Putting the Pieces Together (37 minutes) https://youtu.be/T43zJDgTNPA    

• TBRI® in Schools Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9WCXSvAXd6N_xZampTIofRri1K-9ar6a      

• KPICD Website https://child.tcu.edu  

• Healing Families Videos https://child.tcu.edu/store/healing-families-dvds/#sthash.zdi63pU2.dpbs  

• TBRI® 101: A Self-Guided Course in Trust-Based Relationships https://child.tcu.edu/tbri101/#sthash.8FB2tp7o.dpbs  

• TBRI® For Teens https://child.tcu.edu/store/other-resources/#sthash.UULTeJ8v.dpbs  

• Empowered to Connect https://empoweredtoconnect.org/