TBRI® Animate

by Emmelie Pickett

“What is TBRI®?”

We are so pleased to present our newest video resource which answers that very question. (more…)

TBRI Mantra: See the Need

In this series we are exploring mantras and their role in caring for children from hard places. Dr. Cross’s TBRI mantra includes nuggets of wisdom that can be helpful for anyone who is using Trust-Based Relational Intervention. If you haven’t yet, go ahead and read the previous posts in this series (linked below) before reading this week’s installment.

Part I | Part II

by Emmelie Pickett

It’s important that we train ourselves to see the needs behind behaviors. Oftentimes our kids are trying to express a need with their behavior, but may not have the brain capacity use their words when they are upset or dysregulated.  (more…)

25 Creative Ways to Give Healthy Touch

 

by Emmelie Pickett

Touch is one of the most important vehicles for building a relationship with a child. Healthy touch can show affection, give comfort, and assurance. Loving touch not only feels good, but also produces serotonin in the brain, the body’s natural antidepressant. Intentional affectionate touch, like hugs and pats on the back, also trigger endorphins, which reduce pain and produce a sense of well-being. Furthermore, consistent healthy touch lowers cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, and stabilizes blood pressure, all while boosting creativity and one’s ability to learn.

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TBRI Mantra: Stay Calm

In this series we are exploring mantras and their role in caring for children from hard places. Dr. Cross’s TBRI Mantra includes nuggets of wisdom that can be helpful for anyone who is using Trust-Based Relational Intervention. If you haven’t yet, go ahead and read the first post in this series before reading this installment.

by Emmelie Pickett

It seems that we’re constantly being told to “keep calm and carry on” these days. While it’s a nice sentiment, is staying calm really that easy? When encountering challenging and potentially triggering behaviors, it is crucial for caregivers to remain calm. (more…)

Meet our students: Ashley West

by Emmelie Pickett

In 2015 The Purvis Institute launched the Master of Science in Developmental Trauma program. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced academic study or professional practice. We have been fortunate to welcome some fantastic students to our program, including Ashley West, who started the program in 2016. We sat down with Ashley to talk about her experience in the MDT Program.

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TBRI Mantra: Part I

by Emmelie Pickett

What words do you find yourself repeating in your mind — or out loud — when you feel stressed or anxious? We often encourage caregivers to use mantras to stay focused and calm while working with children. Here are a few mantras we’ve heard from caregivers over the years: (more…)

6 Books for Parenting Children from Hard Places

by David Cross, Ph.D., Casey Call, Ph.D. and Emmelie Pickett

With so many parenting books on the market, it can be difficult to narrow down which resources will be most helpful to parents with children from hard places. While every family’s needs are unique, we’ve curated a list of books that we recommend for parents who are parenting children from hard places of abuse, neglect, and/or trauma. (more…)

Welcome to the Connections Blog!

Welcome to the Connections Blog!

We’re thrilled to have this space to share about our work with those who are both new to Trust-Based Relational Intervention® and those who have used it for years. We look forward to sharing stories about TBRI®, our current research and projects, Institute news, stories from our partners, resources and ideas, and more. (more…)