Being a parent is one of life’s most challenging responsibilities at the best of times. When you’re in the middle of multiple crises like those triggered by the pandemic, it becomes unimaginably challenging. At a time when we’re all doing our best to keep things together, how can anyone manage to raise their kids in a way that allows them to grow stronger?
For wise advice, we can look to a strategy parents and professionals use to help children who have come from life’s hard places. Developed by Dr. Karen Purvis of the Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University, Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) is based on research into the development of children’s brains and uses a caring, loving approach to meet each child’s needs. It’s an effective strategy for helping parents and children overcome problems and create lifelong connections.
TBRI recognizes what overwhelming stress and trauma do to the body and brain, particularly the way the brain’s chemistry responds to stressful situations. It empowers parents to correct those missteps in brain chemistry, and it provides guidance for engaging with children in ways that rebuild trust and develop healthy, supportive relationships.
Just as important, TBRI provides effective measures for correcting inappropriate behavior. Parents learn the difference between discipline and punishment, so they are able to help children understand the results of their behavior and learn how to regulate themselves in the future.
While TBRI was created to support kids who have experienced the worst life has to offer, it also works with the typical issues that create conflict between parents and children. No parent wants to be an angry disciplinarian, and TBRI provides a framework for parenting that’s much easier and more effective for both you.
If your relationship with your child is more difficult than you want it to be, or if you’re just interested in developing more effective ways to handle the situations you encounter, why not sit down with one of our TBRI-trained professional counselors? We can listen to your challenges and guide you in your ability to raise strong kids. Call us today.
Britt Smith is a therapist who specializes in working with kids, teens, and young adults. She is trauma trained, and a TBRI practitioner and educator.