Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment

Trauma-informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is a trauma-informed parts approach to therapy. In TIST, we work with the ‘living legacy of trauma:’ the emotional and somatic memories held by young parts of the self and experienced as here-and-now reality by our clients. Using the Structural Dissociation model as a map, we ask clients to use the prefrontal cortex or observing brain to notice distressing emotions or negative thoughts as communications from parts and. They are taught to observe rather than suppress or react to these communications and to be interested in the parts rather than rejecting of them. As they learn to relate to their fears or shame or anger or suicidality as the feelings of young traumatized children, there is a shift in their relationship to themselves. Issues such as self-destructive behavior, addictions, and eating disorders can be addressed much more successfully using TIST, and the therapeutic relationship is rarely an issue when therapist and client work collaboratively to understand the parts and offer them compassion. TIST is an integrative method drawing on ideas and techniques drawn from Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy