Counseling How

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) in Fort Collins

Build trust with a child from a hard start

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) informed counseling in Fort Collins at Foundations Counseling supports adoptive, foster and kinship families whose children have been through hard early experiences, using connection, meeting physical needs and calm correction. It is private pay, about $200 per session, with a free consultation and a first appointment usually within 48 hours.

What is TBRI informed counseling at Foundations?

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) informed counseling in Fort Collins at Foundations Counseling supports adoptive, foster and kinship families whose children have been through hard early experiences, using connection, meeting physical needs and calm correction. It is private pay, about $200 per session, with a free consultation and a first appointment usually within 48 hours.

What is TBRI?

The Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU describes Trust-Based Relational Intervention as a holistic, attachment based, trauma informed model designed to support children and youth who have experienced adversity. It grew out of research and intervention work begun in 1999 by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross at Texas Christian University, and the Institute, now named for Dr. Purvis, describes it as a model for children from hard places.

What are the three TBRI principles?

• Connecting: building a safe, meaningful relationship so your child can learn to trust that adults will stay.
• Empowering: paying attention to physical needs such as hunger, sleep, sensory overload and transitions, which often drive behavior more than we realize.
• Correcting: responding to fear based behavior in a way that teaches and keeps the relationship intact, rather than relying on punishment alone.

Who is TBRI informed counseling for?

The Institute notes TBRI was originally developed for adoptive families and is now used across many caregiving settings, including foster homes. At Foundations, it is for adoptive parents, foster parents and kinship caregivers, such as grandparents or relatives raising a child, and for children and teens in those families when that is the right fit. It can sit alongside family counseling or child and teen counseling.

What does TBRI informed counseling look like at Foundations?

Often it starts with caregivers. Your counselor helps you look at a hard behavior, such as meltdowns, lying or hoarding food, as a signal of fear or unmet need rather than defiance alone. Together you practice connecting and correcting responses you can use at home, and plan for the moments that tend to go badly. Depending on your child's age, some sessions may include your child or the whole family. This is one on one or family counseling; Foundations does not run parent classes or groups. This page does not claim any TBRI credential, so ask when you reach out about your counselor's background with the model.

Who will I work with?

Some Foundations counselors draw on TBRI principles in their work with families. A smaller number of Foundations counselors offer this, so tell us what you are looking for when you reach out and we will match you with one of them. Your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. If the match does not feel right, our Counselor Match Guarantee means we will help you find another counselor who fits.

In person sessions for this work are at our Fort Collins (Central) office, and online counseling is available anywhere in Colorado.

Safety and what this page does not cover

If you or your child are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, any time. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. Foundations provides outpatient counseling. It does not provide placement or adoption assessments, custody recommendations, legal advice, psychiatric care or residential treatment. If you are a foster or kinship caregiver, check with your caseworker about any requirements for your child's counseling. For trauma symptoms, see also trauma counseling.

Ready to talk?

For ideas you can use this week, read how to help your child manage their emotions. When you are ready, book a free consultation or call 970.227.2770.

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GUARANTEED COUNSELOR MATCH

Families built through adoption, foster care or kinship need a counselor who understands where their child has been. If the first match does not feel right, we will help you find another Foundations counselor who fits. How the Counselor Match Guarantee works.

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HOW WE WORK WITH TBRI

Your counselor helps you see hard behavior through the lens of fear and need, and practice responses that build trust at home.

• Connecting, empowering and correcting principles in everyday moments
• Support for adoptive, foster and kinship caregivers
• Can sit alongside family counseling or trauma counseling

All Therapies

Do You Feel...

What brings people to counseling rarely arrives as one clear moment. More often it builds quietly: a feeling that lingers, a pattern that keeps repeating, a sense that something is off. If any of these sound familiar, reaching out to Foundations is a simple first step.

Big Behaviors at Home

Meltdowns, defiance, running or aggression can make ordinary moments like bedtime or leaving the house feel like a battle you never know how to win.

Parenting Tools That Stopped Working

Time outs, rewards and consequences that worked with other kids may backfire with a child who has been through hard early experiences.

A Child Who Struggles to Trust

Your child may push you away, test every limit or seem to expect you to leave, even after months or years of steady love and care.

Exhausted as a Caregiver

Foster, adoptive and kinship parenting can drain you physically and emotionally. You may feel guilty for being tired, frustrated or less patient than you hoped to be.

Transitions That Spark Meltdowns

Do changes in routine, visits, school mornings or bedtime set off hard moments? Hunger, poor sleep and sensory overload often drive behavior more than it seems.

Feeling Distant From Your Child

Do you love your child but struggle to feel close? Building connection after early adversity takes time, and you do not have to figure it out alone.

Unexpectedly Raising a Relative

Stepping in to raise a grandchild, niece or nephew can bring grief, divided family loyalties and a role you never planned for, all at once.

Caregivers Not on the Same Page

When parents or relatives respond to hard behavior differently, a child may feel less secure and the adults may end up arguing with each other.

Wanting Firm and Kind Limits

You want to set limits without yelling or punishments that push your child further away, and to stay connected even in the hardest moments.

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Find the Right Match

We understand that the journey to emotional well-being begins with connecting you to the right counselor. That's why we proudly offer our unique Counselor Match Guarantee. We don't just pair you with any counselor; we meticulously match you with someone who aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and goals for healing and growth. If the initial pairing needs to be corrected, we encourage you to explore our diverse and experienced team until you find the perfect fit.

Your comfort and progress are paramount, so we ensure you always have a supportive and confidential environment to pursue your journey of self-discovery and healing. Choose us as your trusted partner in this transformative experience—because your well-being deserves the utmost care.

Begin your journey today and take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling tomorrow. Let us guide you to emotional wellness with our dedicated and compassionate counseling services.

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