Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development
A Global Leader in Trauma‑Informed Child Development for Over 20 Years
For more than two decades, the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) has worked to improve the lives of children impacted by trauma through research, education, and outreach. As the home of Trust‑Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), we equip students, caregivers, professionals, and partners around the world to bring hope and healing to children in families and systems of care.
What began in 2005 as a therapeutic summer camp experience has grown into a globally recognized, evidence-supported model used in homes, schools, agencies, healthcare, and communities across the U.S. and around the world.
Our Impact at a Glance
Academic, clinical, and community‑based impact through research, training, and education
20 years of service advancing trauma‑informed care
8,600+ TBRI® Practitioners trained worldwide
Practitioners in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the Navajo Nation
69 countries represented across six continents
What We Do
KPICD advances trauma‑informed child development through three interconnected areas:
Research
Grounded in decades of neuroscience, attachment theory, sensory processing, and child development, our research informs best practices for supporting children impacted by early adversity.
Training
We provide caregiver education, professional training, therapeutic camps, and global partnerships centered on TBRI®, equipping adults to create safe, connected environments where children can thrive.
Education
Housed within the TCU Department of Psychology in the Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science & Engineering, our academic programs prepare students for professional roles across child-serving systems.
Choose Your Path
Students
Undergraduate & Graduate Programs
Prepare for meaningful careers serving children and families through trauma‑informed education and experiential learning.
Caregivers & Parents
Support for Families
Access training, resources, and therapeutic experiences to support connection, healing, and hope at home.
Professionals
Training & Consultation
Build skills to apply TBRI® in schools, clinics, agencies, and other child‑serving settings.
Partners
Organizations & Communities
Partner with KPICD to expand TBRI®, strengthen systems of care, and advance healing for children worldwide.
Featured Programs & Opportunities
TBRI® Practitioner Training
Advance your expertise in trauma‑informed care through our flagship training program.
Hope Connection 2.0: A TBRI® Family Camp
A therapeutic weekend camp for adoptive families rooted in the origins of TBRI®.
News & Blog
Stay connected with the latest podcasts, impact stories, and happenings from KPICD.
The TBRI® Podcast | Season 12, Episode 1 What does it look like to view the transition from high school to young adulthood through a developmental lens? On this episode of the TBRI Podcast, Kim Glaudy and Sarah Mercado talk about the way that attachment, biological...
The TBRI® Podcast | Bonus Episode How can parents and caregivers best support children who are walking through a traumatic loss. In this episode, Dr. Jim Henry and Samantha Farris help us understand the importance of holding space for our children’s emotions, how...
The TBRI® Podcast | Season 11, Episode 8 2025 marks 20 years of KPICD, and we’re chatting with some of our team to reflect on how the Institute has evolved during that time. Henry Milton is a longtime training and consultation specialist and shares what it was...