Anchored in Connection: A Reflective Journey Through TBRI ®
By Glady Quindoza-Bunao, RSW, MSW
“Learning through repetition is like chiseling words into stone—it’s slow, rigid, and hard. But learning through play is like writing on soft sand with the waves of joy reinforcing each stroke—it’s faster, deeper, and leaves an imprint on the heart.”
– Dr. Karyn Purvis
A Mother, A Leader, A Lifelong Learner
As a mother, wife, and social worker with over 31 years in the child welfare field, I’ve carried countless stories—of pain, of resilience, and of healing. But nothing has reshaped my approach quite like Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).
In June 2022, I attended a life-changing TBRI® Practitioners’ training hosted by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development. What I learned helped me reconnect—not just with the children we serve at Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF), but with myself and my own family.
What is TBRI®?
TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children from “hard places”—those who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, grief, or loss. Developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross, it’s built on three transformative principles:
- Connecting – Building secure attachments through trust and engagement
- Empowering – Meeting physical and emotional needs proactively
- Correcting – Teaching life skills with compassion and boundaries
TBRI® reminds us: behind every behavior is a need. And when we meet the need, we transform the behavior.
Bringing TBRI® to Life at KBF
At Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, where I serve as Executive Director, we’re putting TBRI® into practice across all programs:
Foster Parent Training
We guide foster families in connection-first parenting. One mother told us:
“I used to discipline to correct behavior. After TBRI®, I learned to connect first. My foster son laughs more now—and trusts more.”
ILEA Youth Empowerment Camps
Through our Independent Living and Educational Assistance (ILEA) camps, we empower aged-out youth with emotional regulation and healing spaces.
A youth participant shared:
“At camp, I felt safe for the first time in a long time. I didn’t know I could be angry and still be accepted.”
TBRI® for Staff and Systems
Even our staff now attend “TBRI® in the Workplace” sessions, learning to co-regulate, practice mindfulness, and lead with empathy.
TBRI® in My Own Home
This is not just a professional approach—it’s personal.
When my son was upset and raised his voice, I gently asked,
“Can we try that again with kindness?”
He smiled, repeated his words more calmly—and our connection deepened.
It’s simple. It’s consistent. And it works.
From Performance to Presence
TBRI® has taught me this sacred truth:
“We can’t give what we don’t have.”
To care for others, we must also care for ourselves. This means doing our own healing, managing our triggers, and parenting with intention, not perfection.
Because when we choose connection over correction, we make space for children—and ourselves—to grow in safety.
A Call to Action
Whether you’re a foster parent, an adoptive parent, teacher, youth worker, or fellow social worker, I invite you to explore the heart of TBRI®. It may change the way you see children. It may change the way you see yourself.
And in doing so, it just might change a life. Maybe even your own.
About the Author
Glady Quindoza-Bunao, RSW, MSW is the Executive Director of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, Inc. and a certified TBRI® Practitioner. With over 31 years of experience in child welfare and alternative child care, she has championed healing-centered, family-based services in the Philippines. Glady is a proud mother, wife, advocate, and trainer committed to nurturing hope in every home and system she touches.
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