Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST)
The creation of Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) was initiated by Dr. Janina Fisher, who aimed to develop this therapy in order to assist people in overcoming trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, and emotional difficulties.
What it helps with
Concerns TIST can help withWhat it helps with
How it works
What a course of TIST looks likeHow it works
Early on
Understand your reactions
You and your counsellor look at how your nervous system reacts to stress. Panic, numbness or shutting down are seen as ways a part of you learned to protect you.
As you go
Practise steadying skills
Together you practise noticing body signals, calming strong feelings and getting curious about parts of you, like a part that feels scared or a part that wants to hide.
Over time
Keep building safety
You use these skills in daily life and bring back what you notice. You and your counsellor decide together how long to keep going and whether deeper work fits later.
TIST may suit you if you
- Want to feel steadier before talking about painful memories
- Often feel overwhelmed, numb or shut down by strong feelings
- Want to ease shame and be kinder to yourself
- Like learning how your body and nervous system respond to stress
- Notice parts of you that seem to want different things
- Want to go at your own pace, with no pressure
Something else may fit better if you
- Are in crisis right now: call or text 9-8-8
- Already feel steady and want to focus on processing memories
- Mainly want quick, practical help with one everyday problem
- Prefer to talk things through without body-based exercises
Not sure? A free consultation can help you choose.
About
More about TIST
The creation of Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) was initiated by Dr. Janina Fisher, who aimed to develop this therapy in order to assist people in overcoming trauma, complex PTSD, dissociation, and emotional difficulties. Based on the principles of evidence-based practice, TIST involves the combination of a trauma-informed approach, mindfulness, body awareness, and parts work in order to enable clients to get familiar with the impact of trauma on mind and body. TIST treatment offered at No Fear Counselling offers clients a safe and supportive atmosphere for emotional stability in order to address traumatic events.
In contrast to other therapeutic approaches that concentrate on traumatic memories immediately, TIST focuses on helping clients learn coping skills, emotion regulation, and increasing safety first.
Theory
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) acknowledges the fact that most of the hard-to-manage feelings and behaviors are defense mechanisms that are created as a response to trauma. Rather than regarding such behaviors as weaknesses of the person, TIST assists clients in seeing them as defense mechanisms that were meant for some good reason.
The main aim of the first phase of Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is to create safety and emotional stability in the client. They are made to realize how their nervous system works, how to regulate strong feelings, and how to react with compassion to their difficult experiences.
Techniques
The Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is made up of practical techniques that enable clients to become more centered and regulated emotionally. The use of mindfulness, bodily awareness, emotional regulation abilities, and parts work enables clients to explore various parts of their personality without fear or shame but with curiosity.
Therapy takes place in a manner that allows clients to progress at their own pace. Therapy does not compel clients to process traumatic memories at a much faster pace. On the contrary, therapists seek to increase emotional stabilization, resilience, and coping skills.
Benefits of Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST)
Some benefits that TIST can provide individuals are:
- Developing emotional stability
- Improving regulation of the nervous system
- Recovering from complex trauma
- Decreasing shame and self-criticism
- Regulating difficult emotions
- Developing self-awareness
- Developing better coping mechanisms
- Building resilience
- Improving relationships
- Feeling safe and secure
Can Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) Help With?
TIST may work well for individuals suffering from:
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- PTSD
- Dissociation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional dysregulation
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Childhood trauma
- Poor self-worth
In addition, TIST may help those feeling overwhelmed by surviving and desiring more balance and healthy relationships.
Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) at No Fear Counselling
Here at No Fear Counselling, we offer Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) to our clients so that they can achieve emotional stability prior to trauma processing. Your specific treatment plan will be designed with consideration for your personal experience, requirements, and objectives.
Depending on your case, TIST can be incorporated into EMDR, IFS, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Mindfulness treatment. Our services are available in-person as well as securely online throughout all of Canada.
Start Your Healing Journey Today
Recovery from traumatic experiences starts when one feels safe and secure. Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) is a treatment that will aid in regulating emotions and building resilience.
No Fear Counselling provides Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, Langley, Victoria, Kelowna, and Penticton. No Fear Counselling also provides online therapy services for all Canadians.
Contact us now for a free consultation on how Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) can be of great help to you.
References
- Fisher, J. (2017). Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment: A New Approach to Treating Unsafe Behaviour. Australian Clinical Psychologist.
- Fisher, J. (2017). Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation. PESI Publishing.
Trauma-informed stabilization treatment (TIST) is a counselling approach that helps you feel safer and steadier after trauma, including complex trauma. It sees hard reactions, such as panic, numbness or harsh self-criticism, as ways a part of you learned to protect you. Sessions use mindfulness, body awareness and gentle parts work, where you notice different sides of yourself with curiosity instead of shame.
In a TIST session, you and your counsellor often start by noticing what is happening in your body right now. You might notice where tension sits, name a feeling, or try a grounding skill like pressing your feet into the floor. You may also get to know a part of you, such as a frightened or critical part, and learn to respond to it with care.
No, you do not have to share the details of what happened. TIST focuses on how trauma shows up in your body and feelings today, so you can share as much or as little as you like. Your counsellor goes at your pace and helps you feel steady before any deeper work. If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, call 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or call 911 if you are in danger.
Yes, you can meet for TIST in person or online from anywhere in BC. Many of the grounding and body awareness skills can be practised by video from a quiet, private space at home. If you are unsure which suits you, our free 15-minute consultation by phone or video can help you choose.
It may be, depending on your plan and your counsellor's credentials. Many extended health plans cover Registered Clinical Counsellors and Canadian Certified Counsellors (RCC/CCC), so check your own plan. Our team includes RCCs, we offer sliding scale rates for eligible people, and our fees and funding page has more detail.