TBRI®

Cultivating Healing Relationships, Fostering Thriving Children

At its heart, TBRI® is a compassionate, evidence-based approach designed to help children from hard places heal and flourish, and to empower the caregivers who love and support them. It’s more than a set of techniques; it’s a profound shift in understanding behavior and building authentic, felt-safe connections.

The three interconnected pillars of TBRI®—Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting—are vital for nurturing growth and healing. Connecting principles foster deep, authentic relationships and felt-safety through mindfulness and engagement, while Empowering principles meet physical and environmental needs, building a child’s sense of control and stability. Correcting principles teach new relational and behavioral skills with respect, ensuring that behavior is addressed effectively while preserving the child’s dignity and reaffirming connection.

Why TBRI® Matters to the South Bay Care Collaborative

At the South Bay Care Collaborative, we believe every child deserves a loving, stable, and supportive home. We recognize that many children and families in our community face complex challenges due to experiences of trauma, instability, and vulnerability. TBRI® is not just a theoretical framework for us; it is a foundational intervention that directly addresses the deep emotional and behavioral needs stemming from these experiences.

We understand that stable and nurturing homes are built on strong, trusting relationships. TBRI® equips parents, caregivers, and the broader community with the practical tools needed to create environments where children can truly heal, grow, and thrive. By promoting felt-safety, deep connection, and effective regulation, TBRI® helps break cycles of distress and build resilience within families. This is why we are committed to making TBRI® training accessible and actionable for those who are most critical to supporting vulnerable families and children in the South Bay.

What is TBRI®?

Developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU, TBRI® is a holistic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed intervention. Dr. Karyn Purvis (1951-2016) was a pioneering developmental psychologist and a passionate advocate for children from hard places. Her groundbreaking research and clinical work led to the creation of TBRI®, a model rooted in neuroscience and deeply informed by the unique relational and developmental needs of children who have experienced early adversity. Her work emphasized the importance of connection over compliance and understanding a child’s underlying needs rather than simply reacting to behavior.

TBRI® is built on the understanding that children who have experienced trauma often have complex needs that manifest in their behavior and relationships. TBRI® provides caregivers with practical tools to address these needs by proactively building trust, fostering healthy attachment, and equipping children with self-regulation skills.

TBRI® helps caregivers respond to challenging behaviors by asking “Why?” behind the behavior, recognizing that often, it’s a survival response, not intentional defiance.To learn more about Dr. Purvis’s legacy and the ongoing work, visit the official Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development website: https://child.tcu.edu/karyn-purvis-institute/

Why is TBRI® Important?

TBRI® offers a transformative approach for several reasons:

  • Heals Trauma: It directly addresses the impact of past adverse experiences, helping to rewire the brain for healthy connection.
  • Builds Trust: It creates environments where children learn that adults are safe, predictable, and responsive.
  • Reduces Challenging Behaviors: By meeting underlying needs and teaching new skills, it reduces fear-based behaviors and promotes self-regulation.
  • Strengthens Relationships: It deepens bonds between caregivers and children, fostering authentic connection and mutual respect.
  • Empowers Caregivers: It provides practical, actionable strategies that empower adults to respond effectively and compassionately.

Who Can Benefit from TBRI®?

TBRI® is highly effective for:

  • Parents: Biological, adoptive, and foster parents seeking deeper connections with their children.
  • Caregivers: Grandparents, relatives, and other primary caregivers.
  • Teachers & Educators: Creating trauma-informed classrooms and schools.
  • Child Welfare Professionals: Supporting children and families within the system.
  • Counselors & Therapists: Integrating attachment-based principles into practice.
  • Ministry & Community Leaders: Nurturing safe and responsive environments in churches, youth groups, and community programs.

Our Commitment to Training and Support

The South Bay Care Collaborative is dedicated to equipping our community with the knowledge and skills to support vulnerable children and families. We actively offer and support TBRI® training for churches, organizations, and individuals who are critical to helping kids have loving, stable, and supportive homes. We believe that by investing in our community’s caregivers, we are building a stronger, more resilient future for every child.

We provide a range of training formats, from introductory workshops to multi-session series, ensuring that everyone can access this vital knowledge. Our goal is to create a network of trauma-informed care throughout the South Bay, making sure that every child feels safe, seen, and connected.

Learn More & Get Started with TBRI®!

Ready to transform your approach to caregiving and build more resilient relationships?

  • Join Our Training: TBRI Traaining
  • Explore Resources: List of resources
  • Contact Us: southbaycarecollab@gmail.com