In the therapy world, there are many approaches designed to help individuals heal, especially for those who have experienced trauma. Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is one approach that has gained recognition for its effectiveness in building trust and connections, particularly in the context of adoption, foster care, and childhood trauma. Even if your child has never experienced significantly traumatic events the skills you can learn by using TBRI can help them better navigate stress and relationships.

In this blog post, we will touch on how it works and why it can be a game-changer. Remember that TBRI is a HUGE concept that involves brain chemistry, biology, attachment theory, and many intervention points. No blog post could fully explain this life changing approach to healing through connection. Connect with me if you feel that learning more or using this strategy with your family is a fit for you. Take a look at this short video for an overview from TCU.

What is TBRI?

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), is an evidence-based therapeutic model developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross. The core belief is that those who have experienced trauma or a lack of consistent care have had their ability to self regulate damaged or underdeveloped. This means that they need a unique set of tools and strategies to heal and grow.

If damage has happened in a relationship damage can only be healed within a healthy relationship. TBRI teaches about the whys of how the brain reacts to stress. It also teaches how to develop felt safety to improve your relationship with an adult or youth. You will help co-regulate them until they learn more self regulation skills.

Key Principles of TBRI:

• Empowering Principles:
  • Empowering principles focus on empowering the child or individual to make choices, express their needs, and develop a sense of control over their life. This is the basis of helping adults and children develop skills for self regulation in the long term. It allows them to believe and trust in their abilities and other people. We can use empowering principles BEFORE problems happen to develop safety for people in our care. We do this by providing consistent schedules, warnings about changes, healthy snacks, hydration, and partnering with those we care for in making choices.
• Connecting Principles:
  • Connecting principles emphasize the importance of forming a strong emotional bond and connection with the child or individual. It is built on the idea that strong relationships lead to healing. This is the primary intervention for TBRI and the focus of much of the work being done in therapy. People cannot gain from your knowledge or your efforts to help them without feeling connected to you. When we connect with children through play we are showing them their value as person. connecting, whether with an adult or a child is a way of saying “You matter” with your own behavior.
• Correcting Principles:
  • Correcting principles are how we as caregivers handle behaviors that are either unsafe or not helpful. The most important thing to know about correcting is that the behaviors are just the outer part of the iceberg that we see. Even in correcting we must be mindful of the why’s of behavior. But, by learning the IDEAL response and using the right level of engagement (not all correction needs to be high level) you can make even correcting behavior a connecting and empowering experience. See more posts on correcting for more detailed information.

How TBRI Works:

TBRI is a mindset that gives tools customized to the unique needs of each individual. It involves a blend of nurturing, structure, and discipline that creates a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth. The therapeutic process includes:

• Establishing trust and safety through nurturing and connection.
• Providing consistent structure and routine to create a sense of security.
• Teaching appropriate behaviors and emotional regulation.
• Encouraging the development of healthy relationships.

Why TBRI Matters: TBRI is particularly relevant in cases involving children from hard places. We look at hard places like foster care, adoption, or those who have experienced neglect or abuse. It also can help with children and adults whose growth has been effected by stressful situations or long standing generational patterns of attachment. By addressing their unique emotional and psychological needs, TBRI helps these people find healing and build resilience. It provides caregivers, therapists, and educators with the tools to make a lasting impact on the lives of those they work with.

Why do you use it?

TBRI is a powerful approach to healing that has the ability to change the lives of individuals who have faced trauma and adversity. It focuses on trust, connection, and correction to create a nurturing and growth-oriented environment. Jessie Tirrell is a TBRI practitioner with extensive training and use of this model and passionate about supporting individuals and families in better connecting and developing long lasting connection and attachment. Learn more about how TBRI can help you or your family, feel free to schedule an appointment email, or contact me. Together, we can explore the potential of TBRI in your journey toward healing and growth.