Trust-Based Relational Intervention
You may have received a few out-of-office responses from
America World last week. Several AWAA staff members recently returned
from an intense, week long training given by the Institute of Child Development
at Texas Christian University, called Trust-Based Relational Intervention
(TBRI). TBRI is a research and evidence based emerging intervention model for
at-risk children who have experienced relationship-based traumas. Through Dr.
Karyn Purvis’ and Dr. David Cross’ research and practice, they have never seen
a child unable to progress towards a place of hope and healing. Their research
has led them to believe that much of children’s aberrant behavior is driven by
fear in the brain and not willful disobedience.
Dr. Purvis & Cross note: “It
has been applied successfully in a variety of contexts, and with many children
for whom numerous other interventions have failed (e.g., medications,
cognitive-behavioral therapies.) TBRI® is based on a solid
foundation of neuropsychological theory and research, tempered by humanitarian
principles. It is a family-based intervention that is designed for children who
have experienced relationship-based traumas such as institutionalization, multiple
foster placements, maltreatment, and/or neglect. For the past ten years, Drs.
Purvis and Cross have been implementing and evaluating TBRI® , and
their strategies have proven extremely effective in creating healing
environments for children who have come from ‘hard places’.â€
Over the last several years America World has sent
numerous staff members, residing both overseas and within the United States, to attend
TBRI training and certification. America World believes TBRI
education to be of prominent importance to do
adoption well. We believe that education builds compassion, and compassion and
empathy are key to successful relationships. To learn more about these
principles or the intervention, visit Empowered to Connect and TBRI Training.
