Faculty and Staff

Daren Jones, Ph.D., is the Associate Director of Training & Consultation services with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at TCU. In this role, Daren leads the KPICD Outreach Team in the global work of equipping individuals, organizations, communities and systems of care with Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).

Daren earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He began his career as a behavior instructor of a therapeutic day treatment program serving children and youth who could no longer function in a regular academic school setting.

After serving as a behavior instructor, Daren began a master’s degree in Social Work from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky. Daren spent 12 years serving youth and families within residential and foster care settings as a direct-care worker, residential group home supervisor and trainer, before beginning his work with the KPICD. In 2014, Daren joined the Purvis Institute as a TBRI Training Fellow under the mentorship of Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross. In 2024, Daren completed his Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education at TCU.

Daren is passionate about bringing lasting change to organizations and systems of care through the power of trust-based relationships.

When he’s not working, Daren enjoys fishing, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Regions Served: Alaska, Georgia

Emmelie is a Communications Coordinator with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU (KPICD).  In her role, Emmelie contributes to the institute’s marketing and communications efforts, coordinates events, and produces the TBRI® Podcast.

In her time at KPICD, Emmelie has worn many hats. She was first hired in 2009 as the Assistant to Dr. Karyn Purvis, and later served as Media Specialist before inhabiting her current role. Over the last 16 years, Emmelie attended many Hope Connection camps, assisted with TBRI® Practitioner Trainings, lead nurture groups, and planned KPICD milestone events. She spent many years working directly with Dr. Karyn Purvis, and is passionate about honoring Dr. Purvis’s legacy. Emmelie was a contributing writer on Dr. Purvis’s last written work, The Connected Parent (Harvest House Publishing, 2020). She is also a TBRI Practitioner and a Circle of Security Professional Facilitator.

Emmelie holds a bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film and a master’s degree in Liberal Arts, both from TCU. Outside of work she enjoys planning vacations, volunteering at her children’s schools, arranging flowers, and relaxing with a good book. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and children.

Henry Milton is a Training and Consultation Specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. During his time at KPICD, Henry has had the privilege of training professionals across the globe under the mentorship of Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, participating in numerous Hope Connection camps, and forging strong relationships with organizations and individuals implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).

Before joining the KPICD team in 2010, Henry had 15 years of experience in mental health care, residential care, and inpatient psychiatry. As a college student, Henry worked with at-risk youth as a Camp Counselor, which sparked his desire to work with vulnerable children and adolescents. He went on to work full-time as a Prevention & Management of Aggressive Behavior (PMAB) instructor for inpatient psychiatry, along with being a preceptor/mental health therapist. He is passionate about building relationships to bring lasting positive change for at-risk children, youth and families.

Henry earned his B.S. from Texas A&M University-Commerce in Psychology, and went on to complete his master’s degree from Texas A&M-Commerce/Capella University in Psychology. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Counseling from TCU. Henry currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife and two teenage children.

Regions served:
US: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
International: Canada, Brazil

Sarah Cronin is a Student Programs Coordinator for the Child Development Program at TCU. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology and a master’s degree in Liberal Arts, both from TCU. For many years she lived and worked in Park City, Utah and upon returning to Fort Worth, joined the KPICD team in 2015. A longtime member of the KPICD Education Team, Sarah supports Child Development undergraduate students and DETR master’s degree students, serves as the faculty/staff advisor for Frogs 4 Children student organization, advises CHDV majors and minors, and attends study abroad trips.

When Sarah isn’t working, she enjoys traveling around the globe and reading a good book. She lives in Fort Worth with her husband and has one adult son.

Sarah Mercado is a Training and Consultation Specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD). In this role, Sarah supports individuals and organizations in implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) through consultation and training.

Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. She began her career as a direct care staff working with adolescent boys living in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC). After serving in the RTC for several years, she shifted her focus to foster care, where she was Regional Director for a foster and adoption agency. After 20 years of serving youth and families within residential and foster care settings, Sarah joined the Purvis Institute in 2016.

In addition to training and consultation, Sarah is the host and managing editor of the TBRI Podcast. In all aspects of her work, Sarah is passionate about supporting individuals on their TBRI journeys and amplifying their stories to encourage others.

When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with her daughters. She lives in Central Texas.

Regions Served: International: Europe, Asia, Australia

Brooke Hayes is the Interpersonal Development Manager at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD). In this role, Brooke’s focus is conducting the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) for the Trust-Based Relational Intervention^®(TBRI^®) Practitioner Trainings and leading the AAI team. Brooke has also been involved with the Hope Connection 2.0 camps at KPICD with various roles ranging from a group leader to parent trainer.

Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Human Relations/Counseling from the University of Oklahoma in 2000. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She began her career working in community mental health as an alcohol and drug counselor and transitioned to a program director for an intensive outpatient alcohol and drug treatment center. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Seeking Safety, Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM), Relapse Prevention Model, Trust-Based Relational Intervention^®(TBRI^®), the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), Reflective Functioning, and Fundamentals of Infant Attachment Assessment: The Strange Situation. She began working for the Purvis Institute in March 2016.

Brooke lives in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband, 4 children, and 2 cats.

Lou Diaz is a Program Coordinator with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Originally from Cuba, Lou attended Universidad de Puerto Rico, and has previously worked for Aledo ISD and in civil service. She joined the KPICD team in 2018 and supports the KPICD Outreach Team by coordinating TBRI Professional Trainings, speaking requests and events. Lou brings over 35 years of experience to her role, and is passionate about spreading TBRI knowledge around the world and connecting with KPICD global partners.

In her free time, Lou enjoys traveling, cycling, listening to music, and visiting vineyards and breweries. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas and has three adult children.

Megan serves as the Resource Development Manager at the Purvis Institute, where she leads a team in creating and updating TBRI Resources. A Texan by birth, Megan grew up in Southern California and returned to Texas to pursue her bachelor’s degree at TCU. As a TCU Child Development Student, Megan began her work with KPICD over a decade ago as a student worker. She holds her B.S. in Psychology and Child Development from TCU and a M.A. in Human Rights from the University of Roehampton in London, England.

Megan is passionate about equipping others with knowledge about Trust-Based Relational Intervention and tools to help with implementation. She is a strong believer in the life-changing effects of trust-based relationships and loves finding creative ways to meet the needs of people across the globe who want to learn more about TBRI.

When she’s not working, Megan can be found reading, spending time in nature, traveling, practicing yoga, catching up on a good TV show or relaxing in her favorite coffee shop. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband, Lane, and her cat, Mooch.

Erin Razuri, Ph.D., is a research scientist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, Erin oversees all research activities of the institute, including designing research studies, data collection and analysis, evaluation, and writing research articles for publication. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from TCU, where she began her journey with KPICD in 2004.

Throughout her time with KPICD, Erin has attended Hope Connection Camps, participated in study abroad trips, taught classes, overseen implementation projects and worked closely with founders Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, making her an honorary historian of Institute records and lore. Erin’s research interests include TBRI & trauma-informed care, attachment theory and developmental trauma, and she has written and contributed to many KPICD research articles.

Erin resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband and two children. When she’s not working, enjoys the beautiful weather, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, and spending time with family.

Samantha Farris (she/her) is an Interpersonal Development Specialist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD), where she conducts Adult Attachment Interviews (AAIs) for incoming TBRI^® Practitioners. When she joined KPICD in 2021, Samantha served as a Regional Training and Consultation Specialist before transitioning to the AAI Team.

In addition to being trained in and utilizing the AAI, Samantha is also trained in the Strange Situation (the Mary Ainsworth method of infant attachment classification), as well as Theraplay® and neurodevelopmental trauma assessment. She is passionate about exploring the sociopolitical factors and social processes that create and reinforce secure/insecure ways of relating and traumatization, as well as exploring individuals’ identity formation and experiences in the world through an Intersectional lens.

Prior to joining the KPICD, Samantha worked in residential treatment, home-based infant mental health, and on a transdisciplinary neurodevelopmental trauma assessment team. Most of the children and families she has worked with have been involved with the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems and treatment courts. She received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hope College, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University, with a specialization in Trauma Across the Lifespan. She is endorsed in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health through the Michigan Association of Infant Mental Health.

Samantha lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and son; Samantha and her husband have also been licensed foster parents and kinship parents for several years. Samantha firmly believes children are our greatest teachers in this life.

Katie Duarte Rinaudo is a Regional Training Specialist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, she trains and supports individuals and organizations implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) in the southeast United States, Spain and Latin America. She is also the producer and host of el Podcast TBRI en Español, KPICD’s podcast for Spanish-speakers. Katie holds a master’s degree in Holistic Child Development from Lee University and previously worked as a preschool teacher and AmeriCorps VISTA before moving to Paraguay, South America. In Paraguay, Katie served as a caregiver and then director of a children’s home, while also teaching English to middle school and high school students. After returning to the U.S., Katie founded the nonprofit organization CareEQUIP to educate and equip caregivers in trauma-informed care.

When she’s not working, Katie enjoys spending time with family. She is the oldest of six siblings and proud aunt to six of her favorite kiddos.  Katie lives in Cleveland, Tennessee with her husband.

Regions Served:
US: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
International: Central America, South America, Africa, Spain

Vianca Arias serves as the Resource Development Coordinator at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Vianca joined the KPICD in 2022 as an administrative assistant, and currently contributes to the resource work team in developing products and tools for individuals who want to learn about TBRI and implement it in their environment.

Originally from Paterson, New Jersey, Vianca holds a B.A. in Journalism and Media Systems and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental and Sustainability Science.

Vianca loves that her work in resource development allows her to see real-time positive change for children, families, and systems of care. In her free time, Vianca enjoys reading a great book and watching Broadway shows. She lives in Weatherford, Texas with her husband and two children.

Tami Zeiner is an Education Coordinator at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU where she supports TCU Child Development students, assists with Hope Connection 2.0, and co-leads study abroad trips. She is passionate about guiding students towards achieving their academic and career goals by providing personalized guidance and resources. As a dedicated advocate for children, Tami finds it especially rewarding to participate in TBRI camps. Witnessing TCU Child Development students in action as they apply TBRI is a constant source of inspiration for Tami.

Tami brings 30 years’ experience to her work at the institute, and has previously worked for Carter & Burgess, Edward Jones Investments, TCU Human Resources and TCU Global. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies from Texas State University, the University of Salamanca (Spain), and an M.L.A from TCU.

Beyond her role at KPICD, Tami serves on the TCU College of Science and Engineering Committee for Connection Culture. She is also part of Ka Pa Hula O Manulani, a cultural learning center that focuses on the teaching of Hawaiian dance, language and history. Tami enjoys travel, time outdoors, live music and Broadway musicals. She lives in Arlington, Texas and is the proud mom to two Horned Frog sons.

Maggi Richardson is an Interpersonal Interview Specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, Maggi conducts Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI) for participants as part of TBRI® Practitioner Training.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Indiana University, Maggi earned a master’s degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University. She then received her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Evaluation with a focus on assessment in social services, also from Western Michigan University. Maggi is trained in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), neurodevelopmental trauma assessment, Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI ®), the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI), and the Strange Situation.  

Maggi is a Licensed M.S.W., and began her career in child welfare working in Children’s Protective Services and foster care. After earning her M.S.W., she began providing counseling services for children and then for adults involved in the child welfare system. Maggi began working as a research/evaluation associate with the Children’s Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC) in Kalamazoo, MI in 2009. She developed an adult trauma assessment protocol, including administration of the Adult Attachment Interview, for adults with their own history of trauma whose children were in foster care. Maggi also worked as an adjunct faculty teaching social work practice, research, and evaluation classes for WMU.

Maggi has two adult children. She splits her time between Dowagiac, Michigan and Phoenix, Arizona, has one dog and four cats, and is an avid lover of all things in the natural world. 

Molly O’Mealey, Ph.D., is an Instructor for the TCU Department of Psychology and the Child Development Major and Minor. In this role, she teaches both TCU Psychology and Child Dvelopment undergraduate students and serves on the Education work team at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. She has taught courses such as Developmental Psychology and Advanced Developmental Psychology, Trauma Informed Interventions, Developmental Research and Evaluation, Global Advocacy, and Family Systems. Beyond her teaching duties, Molly advises and mentors Child Development students and participates in Hope Connection 2.0 therapeutic camps. Originally from Tulsa, OKlahoma, Molly is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and brings twelve years of experience in Developmental Psychology to her role. Molly is passionate about connecting with her students and colleagues and helping TCU students reach their highest potential as they pursue careers in child development.

Outside of work, Molly enjoys tennis, spending time with her family, and hunting down the best chips and salsa that Fort Worth has to offer. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and two children.

For psychology – Developmental Psychology and Advanced Developmental Psychology (WEM)

For CHDV – Trauma Informed Interventions, Developmental Research and Evaluation, Global Advocacy, and Family Systems

Troy McPeak is a Regional Training and Consultation Specialist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Troy first came to know of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) and the work of KPICD during his time at Williamson County Juvenile Services (Wilco) and brings 18 years of experience with youth in the justice system to his role at KPICD. Prior to joining the Outreach Team at the KPICD in 2023, Troy worked at Williamson County Juvenile Services and served as a shift supervisor over the Post Adjudication Program (C.O.R.E.), and the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP).  He was one of the first TBRI Practitioners within the Juvenile Justice System and was instrumental in shifting the culture at Williamson County as they were the first of its kind to adopt TBRI and implement within the Juvenile Justice space.  In 2019 Troy accepted a role with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) and served as the associate director of the Texas Model where he providing training and hands on mentorship to staff across the state of Texas in all TJJD’s secure facilities and halfway houses. Troy is a fierce advocate for justice impacted children and youth and his greatest hope is to see juvenile justice systems of care embrace TBRI®.

A native of Riverside, California, Troy currently resides in Pflugerville, Texas. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending his kids’ sporting events, and coaching youth football.

Regions Served: Texas / Middle East

Paola Reynoso is the Program Coordinator at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, Paola primarily coordinates TBRI Practitioner Training logistics. She brings over ten years of experience to the role, and loves being part of the journeys of TBRI Practitioners from around the world. Paola takes great pride in creating safe spaces for people to connect, learn and grow in their ability to understand and implement Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).

Paola previously worked for the USO as an event coordinator and has also worked for the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA) and the City of Grand Prairie. She holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations from UTA.

Outside of work, Paola is involved in many community organizations including Destination Imagination, GPISD Academic Decathlon, Arlington Charities and Frog Camps at TCU. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Colleen serves as the Translation and International Contracts Coordinator at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Since joining the KPICD team in 2023, Colleen has worked to advance KPICD’s international work by facilitating translation projects in multiple languages and connecting with international partners to ensure that TBRI materials are reaching groups who need resources in their language.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and American University, Colleen holds a B.A. in Theology and an M.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies, respectively. Colleen brings eighteen years of language education and translation experience to her role, including teaching Spanish at All Saints’ Episcopal School and acting as Translation Service Coordinator at Catholic Charities, both in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Colleen is passionate about being able to contribute to the KPICD mission of improving the lives of children across the world. She loves getting to know TBRI partners from different countries and constantly learning more about TBRI.

Outside of work, Colleen enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling and listening to podcasts. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and two children.

Geoffrey Nelson, is a Regional Training and Consultation specialist with the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, he trains others in TBRI^® and supports individuals and organizations implementing TBRI. Geoffrey’s TBRI journey began in 2015 during his tenure at Methodist Children’s Home, launching a career focused on supporting children and families.

Over nearly a decade, Geoffrey has applied TBRI principles in diverse settings, including residential care centers, foster care and adoption agencies, schools, corrections, and management.

Geoffrey is passionate about creating meaningful change for individuals of all ages. Inspired by Dr. Karyn Purvis’ words, “I don’t care if they are one, or 100. People all need the same kinds of stuff”, he continues to champion the transformative impact of TBRI in his work and community. He lives in Texas with his wife and two sons.

Regions served: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin

Melondy Doddy-Muñoz, Ph.D. is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In this role, Melondy works to ensure that all KPICD teams are supported, resourced, and operating efficiently. Before joining KPICD in 2024, Melondy served as a non-profit Executive Director where she led initiatives serving lower-income women and youth survivors of domestic violence. As a proud first-generation graduate, she also served at multiple institutions of higher education, including the TCU College of Education, in leadership roles that emphasize college access with P-20 initiatives.

Melondy holds a B.S. with a major in Comparative Religious studies, a M.Ed. with emphasis in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education, multiple graduate certifications, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from TCU.

Melondy is also a wife and a mom to two spirited daughters. In her personal time, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family.

Jennifer Goulette serves as Financial Manager at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Originally from Germany, Jennifer considers herself a Texan at heart, having lived in El Paso, Texas for 35 years before moving to Weatherford, Texas in 2009.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Texas at El Paso and started her career in accounting with a non-profit organization. She later transitioned to teaching various technology and accounting courses. After 25 years in education, Jennifer returned to the accounting field and is now thrilled to be working with KPICD, where she contributes to the organization’s mission to “improve the lives of children through research, education, and outreach that addresses the impact of early abuse, neglect, and trauma.” She enjoys reading, watching true crime, listening to music and taking walks along scenic routes in her free time.

Denise Herrera is the Financial Assistant at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. Originally from Salado Texas, Denise is a born and raised Texan who came to KPICD in 2023 after working in the TCU Student Financial Services Department. As part of the KPICD operations team, Denise supports the work of all KPICD teams. She loves being part of the TCU community and is excited to be part of the mission of KPICD.

Outside of work, Denise loves any moment she gets to spend with family and friends. She lives in Saginaw, Texas with her husband and has two adult children. 

Antonella Delgadillo is a Resource Development Specialist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. She began working with the Institute during her senior year as a Resource Development Intern and is thrilled to continue supporting the resource team as a staff member. In her role, Antonella develops TBRI® learning tools that can be utilized by professionals, caregivers and communities. Originally from Managua, Nicaragua, Antonella brings a bicultural perspective to her work and is passionate about building bridges between children and caregivers through trauma-informed care, particularly in culturally diverse communities. Outside of her role with KPICD, she volunteers her time to serve as a Spanish-language TBRI translator to teach and implement TBRI in a variety of settings.

Antonella is a TBRI® Practitioner and proud member of the TBRI® Latin America Spanish-Speaking Network. Antonella is a graduate of TCU with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. When she’s not working, Antonella enjoys reading, journaling, drawing, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors, especially the beach.

Yolanda Salinas is an Administrative Assistant at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In her role Yolanda manages all front desk tasks, coordinates administrative projects, and meets daily office needs. She is the first point-of-contact KPICD office visitors, as well as individuals who call or email the institute. She previously worked for Fort Worth ISD as a Family Communication Outreach Specialist before joining KPICD in April 2025. Yolanda loves being part of a team that is making a difference in the world and uses her communication and organization skills to support all the KPICD teams.

Yolanda lives in Fort Worth, Texas with her husband and two daughters and enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and gardening.

Lilyann Shelley, Ph.D., is an Associate Research Scientist at the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU. In her role, Lillyan conducts and documents research by designing studies, reviewing literature, coordinating community projects writing manuscripts, and supporting day-to-day research operations. She holds a Ph.D. In Experimental Psychology from TCU, and a B.B.A in Finance. Lillyan previously worked for Whitley Penn as a Senior Associate before beginning her Ph.D. program through the TCU Department of Psychology. After earning her Ph.D., Lillyan joined the KPICD staff in 2025.

Lillyan loves contributing to the work of KPICD by analyzing data and helping organizations evaluate the change they see in children attributable to the implementation of TBRI. She also enjoys contributing to the learning and development of students who are pursuing careers in child development.

Outside of work, Lillyan enjoys playing with her children, golfing with her husband, and enjoying time outside. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.