What is Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST)?

In experiential therapies we seek approaches that don’t just treat symptoms, but actually speak to the heart of our experience—especially when that experience involves trauma. For me, Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) has been one of those approaches. It helped me make sense of the reactions and behaviors I once didn’t understand, and provided tools that supported deep, meaningful healing.

Understanding TIST

TIST, developed by Dr. Janina Fisher, is a therapeutic model created to support individuals impacted by trauma—particularly complex trauma that can leave lasting effects on a person’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

What makes TIST unique is its view that trauma doesn’t just live in our memories. It lives in our bodies and in different parts of our internal system. These “parts” are younger, more vulnerable versions of ourselves that hold unresolved emotions like fear, shame, or rage. These parts aren't bad—they developed in response to overwhelming or unsafe situations to help us survive. But without healing, they can cause emotional turmoil or behaviors that feel out of our control.

I remember the moment this idea truly clicked for me. The reactions I was having weren’t because I was “broken”—they were signals from inner parts of me that were still hurting and still trying to protect me. TIST helped me approach these parts with compassion rather than judgment.

How TIST Works

TIST blends principles from Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, both of which are rooted in understanding how trauma is stored in the body and how different parts of the self respond to it.

Here’s how it typically works:

• Parts Work: Clients identify different “parts” of themselves—especially those holding intense emotions or harmful behaviors. These parts are not labeled as “bad” but are seen as protective responses from the past.

• Somatic Awareness: TIST encourages you to notice what’s happening in your body. Where do you feel tension, fear, or resistance? These physical sensations are often connected to unprocessed trauma.

• The Observing Self: Instead of reacting impulsively to intense emotions, TIST helps you access a calm, wise part of your brain—the “observing self”—to witness these reactions with curiosity, not shame.

By combining these elements, TIST offers a pathway to begin dialoguing with the inner parts that were previously overwhelming. You don't suppress your reactions—you begin to understand them.

The Impact of TIST on My Healing

One of the most powerful things I’ve experienced through TIST is a shift in how I relate to myself. Instead of seeing my emotional responses or triggers as flaws, I’ve come to recognize them as echoes of past wounds—parts of me asking to be seen, heard, and comforted.

This compassionate approach helped me stop fighting myself and start supporting myself. I felt safer in my body. I gained clarity on why certain patterns kept showing up in my life. And I developed practical tools for grounding, emotional regulation, and self-compassion.

Why TIST Is So Effective

• It centers safety first: Healing can’t happen when we feel unsafe. TIST creates the foundation of emotional and physical safety so the body can finally relax and process.

• It’s not about eliminating “bad” behavior: Instead, it asks why these behaviors exist and how they might have been necessary for survival.

• It fosters self-understanding: You learn to meet yourself with compassion, even the parts that feel chaotic or out of control.

Getting Started with TIST

If this sounds like the kind of healing approach you’ve been searching for, the next step is to find a trained TIST practitioner who can guide you. Trust your body and your intuition in this process—they’ll often lead you to what you need most.

You can also explore more about somatic healing through my work here and learn how TIST fits into a broader practice of mindful, body-based trauma recovery.

TIST has been more than just a therapy for me—it’s been a return to wholeness.It allowed me to reconnect with myself in a safe, structured way and to transform the pain I once carried silently. Whether you’re new to trauma healing or ready to take your next step, I hope you’ll consider what this approach might offer you.

Schedule a free consultation and get started!