For years, ACH Child and Family Services has relied on Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) to build trust and connection with vulnerable children. For more than a year, ACH has also offered TBRI Partnering with Parents to families in the child welfare system. This service provides TBRI training that is tailored for parents and caregivers, so they can build a strong family connection through empathy and understanding.
TBRI was developed by and is the
signature therapeutic model of
Texas Christian University’s
Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development.
These are stories of three graduates of the certification program.
Healing through connection: A mother’s journey with TBRI®
What follows is a heartfelt letter from Alyssa G. to ACH TBRI Parent Educator Malee Sims. Alyssa is a mother who has experienced the transformative power of TBRI after reuniting with her foster children. Her story is a testament to the resilience and strength of families who face challenges head-on and emerge stronger together. Malee says she is honored to have trained Alyssa in the TBRI Partnering with Parents certification program.
Leading and witnessing a mother’s transformation
ACH TBRI Parent Educator Malee Sims describes a success story with Nakeia H., a recent TBRI Partnering with Parents graduate. Nakeia didn’t want to tell her son “no” until she reflected on her on her past, her own mother’s discipline troubles, and what happens when you fail to take control.
Yet More Praise from a TBRI Partnering with Parents graduate
When I first met Malee, I was pregnant and my emotions were all over the place. I honestly didn’t know what to expect and was afraid I might be judged. But the moment I opened up, she welcomed me with so much understanding and kindness. She introduced me to TBRI®, which focuses on helping children who come from hard places and the need to feel safe and understood.
“I’ve learned to stay calm, to connect, and to guide them with love and patience.”
-- Daijahne
What meant the most to me was how the things I learned not only helped my kids, but it helped me too. I began to see their behaviors differently not as defiance, but as communication. They’re still learning how to express themselves, and sometimes it comes out in ways that are hard. But with the tools Malee gave me, I’ve learned to stay calm, to connect, and to guide them with love and patience.
Since working with Malee, my son has hardly been in timeout. We understand each other so much better now. I’m so grateful for her guidance — it’s truly changed our home. I know that when they fully come home, we’re going to have a lot of amazing things to learn about each other.
— Daijahne H.
While this program is for families in the child welfare system, ACH also offers youth and family counseling at no charge.
Find out more here or call 817.335.HOPE (4673).
One Response to “TBRI® Partnering with Parents”
What an inspiring story! This is a testament to analyzing children’s behaviors differently. What are they communicating? What’s the underlying antecedent? It appears Malee is passionate, committed, and intentional in steering the parent-child relationship toward better understanding and positive outcomes!