The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family

Authors: Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, Ph.D., & Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Children who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or disrupted attachments often communicate their needs through challenging behaviors rather than words. The Connected Child is one of the most influential resources for understanding these behaviors through a trauma-informed and attachment-focused lens. Based on the principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), the book provides practical strategies to help caregivers build trust, create emotional safety, strengthen attachment, and respond to difficult behaviors with connection instead of punishment.

Filled with real-life examples and easy-to-apply techniques, the authors guide readers in creating nurturing environments where children can heal from past trauma and develop healthy relationships. While written for adoptive families, the principles are equally valuable for foster parents, kinship caregivers, guardians, and professionals working with children who have experienced adversity.

Why We Recommend This Book

The Connected Child is considered one of the foundational resources for anyone caring for children who have experienced trauma, foster care, or adoption. Its practical, relationship-based approach helps caregivers move beyond traditional discipline techniques to build trust, increase a child’s sense of safety, and strengthen healthy attachment. The strategies presented are applicable across foster care, kinship care, adoption, residential care, education, and behavioral health settings, making this an invaluable resource for both families and professionals supporting children with complex trauma histories.

Book Information

• Title: The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
• Authors: Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, Ph.D., & Wendy Lyons Sunshine
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Publication Date: April 22, 2007
• ISBN-10: 0071475001
• ISBN-13: 978-0071475006
• Format: Paperback, eBook, and Audiobook
• Pages: 264
• Recommended Audience: Foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, guardians, social workers, therapists, counselors, educators, CASA volunteers, and child welfare professionals.

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