Summer offers a unique opportunity to slow down, reflect, and refresh. Whether you’re relaxing on the porch, traveling with family, or simply finding a quiet moment in your day, it’s the perfect time to dig into books that nourish your mind and spirit.
This year, we asked many of our incredible TBRI® Practitioners—speakers and leaders from our most recent TBRI Summit—to share the books that have shaped their thinking, deepened their practices, and inspired hope and healing. Their responses form this rich and powerful Summer Reading List.
Each book touches on themes that resonate deeply with the core of Trust-Based Relational Intervention®: connection, healing, attachment, neuroscience, and faith. Whether you’re a parent, educator, clinician, or simply someone committed to understanding trauma and building trust-based relationships, this list offers something for you.
📚 2025 Summer Reading List
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The Whole-Brain Child – Dan Siegel & Tina Bryson
A must-read on understanding how children’s brains are wired and how to support their emotional and relational development. -
The Power of Showing Up – Dan Siegel & Tina Bryson
A reminder that being present is one of the most powerful things we can offer to the children in our care. -
The Connected Child – Karyn Purvis
A foundational resource for anyone parenting children from hard places, this book is the foundation of TBRI. -
The Connected Parent – Karyn Purvis & Lisa Qualls
A practical and grace-filled companion to The Connected Child, full of stories and real-life application. -
Lost and Found – Ross Greene
An eye-opening look at behavior challenges and how to approach them with compassion and collaboration. -
The Anatomy of the Soul – Curt Thompson (Faith-Based)
A beautiful integration of neuroscience and Christian spirituality, exploring how God uses relationships to shape the brain. -
What Happened to You – Bruce Perry & Oprah Winfrey
A compelling conversation that reframes behavior through the lens of trauma and compassion. -
Strong Like Water – Aundi Kolber
A tender and empowering invitation to reimagine strength through the lens of trauma-informed resilience. -
The Gifts of Imperfection – Brené Brown
Encouragement to embrace vulnerability and authenticity as paths to wholehearted living. -
Try Softer – Aundi Kolber
A gentle approach to healing from anxiety and trauma by honoring your body and story. -
No Bad Parts – Dr. Richard Schwartz
An introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) that teaches how to welcome and integrate all parts of ourselves. -
Braving the Wilderness – Brené Brown
A powerful call to courageous belonging, even when it means standing alone. -
Raising Securely Attached Kids – Eli Harwood
A modern, practical guide to building strong, healthy attachments with your children. -
Connections Over Compliance – Lori L. Desautels
A revolutionary book on education that centers student-teacher relationships and the power of co-regulation.
Whether you’re reading one or all of these, we hope this list inspires deeper connection, greater compassion, and a renewed sense of purpose in your relationships.
Happy Reading!