We asked long-time students of Janina Fisher and facilitators of our TIST Trauma Certification with Dr. Fisher to share their experience using the TIST therapy model and working with Dr. Fisher over the years.
Below we’ve shared the interview with Donna Swedosh, who began working with Fisher over twenty years ago and remains dedicated to the modality in private practice and in guiding therapists new to private practice or to the TIST methodology.
Donna is one of the facilitators you will meet in your TIST Trauma Therapy Certification with Janina Fisher. She is one of the leaders of our Trauma-informed Stabilization Technique Certification Course Level 3 small group live skills practice sessions.
Enjoy Donna’s keen insights and sharing, and we look forward to seeing you in the course!
How did you get started with Trauma-informed Stabilization Technique? What was that like for you?
I first came across Janina Fisher and her work in 2011 at a two-day workshop in Sydney. As a relatively new graduate, I was struck by Janina’s presence and the practical information that she shared that I was able to take straight into my rooms and start using. This was the first time I had attended any professional development that provided me with practical tools I could use with my clients.
Inspired by Janina’s enthusiasm, knowledge and practical tools I went on to do her webinar series as they were offered and have been using her techniques with my clients since this time. Additionally, Janina inspired me to continue pursuing knowledge and skills in trauma-based therapeutic approaches. I subsequently trained in sensorimotor psychotherapy and other related techniques that all complement working with the TIST therapy model. Further, I have travelled to the US on many occasions to train with Janina as I find her work invaluable. The TIST therapy model works.
How is the TIST therapy model different that traditional talk therapy?
What has been the most helpful for me has been moving away from traditional talk therapy and focusing on what is happening in the present moment. Trusting that the client’s system has the wisdom to know what younger parts of the system need to repair/heal wounds from the past in the present. This approach has the dual effect of taking away the therapist’s ‘need to know the answer’, allowing them to be in the present in a compassionate, curious stance and empowering the client to heal themselves and learn skills to manage day-to-day activations in their systems.
To be able to work with clients and dispel the myth that they need to relive awful events from the past has been a revelation for both me and my clients. It has also meant that clients can reduce and/or heal from the impact of past traumatic events and go on to live their lives in ways they have not previously imagined.
Additionally, taking the perspective that experiences that may have traditionally been labelled as symptoms of dysfunction and/or illness as valiant attempts to survive extraordinary situations enable clients to hold compassion for themselves and their parts. This goes a long way to reducing some of the shame and criticism that clients have felt when not being able to manage or find different ways of being with previous therapeutic encounters where more cognitive approaches have been pursued. The requirement of these cognitive approaches requires a fully working pre-frontal cortex which is not possible when individuals are re-experiencing trauma in their systems.
The TIST model is also flexible and allows for individual therapist creativity and assimilation of other techniques. The capacity of Janina’s work to enable individual, bespoke treatment within the TIST framework ensures the success of her model.
What are the benefits of TIST trauma therapy?
The benefits I have seen have been nothing short of astonishing. This model allows clients to slow down reactions in their systems and provides the capacity to create space and compassion for their parts in order to offer a reparative experience and choose different responses, rather than reacting from past traumatic experiences. More often than not this has seen many of my clients feel less distressed and more competent at negotiating day-to-day challenges and for some movement from our ‘disability sector’ to paid employment and healthy romantic relationships.
What is it like working with Janina Fisher?
Janina is generous, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I feel very privileged to work with her and be supported by her. As a student of Janina Fisher and now one of her facilitators she has always been available and interested in my work and helping me to develop my skills in service of working with others. She continually models compassion, curiosity, care and patience. Additionally, Janina is current in her research understanding and has developed a model that allows for integration of new information and techniques.
Why use TIST trauma model as a psychotherapist?
For the therapists that I provide supervision for (& for myself), TIST is a model of working that allows for huge compassion and sustainability in relation to the prevention of burnout. I believe this is largely due to the overarching framework of trusting that our clients have the wisdom in their system to heal and that as therapists we have the skills to elicit this wisdom. As therapists shift their perspective from needing to provide the answers and ‘work it out’ for their clients to a perspective of presence, deep connection and trust in the wisdom of their systems changes happen in a more sustainable and permanent way. I have also witnessed less burnout and more job satisfaction from myself and those whom I provide supervision for.
Anything else you would like to share?
I often fantasize about a world where we are taught as children that we carry somatic memories and imprints from our past that activate in the present for us to be able to repair/heal these imprints that helped us survive. This world would see humans being compassionate and kind to themselves and others, taking responsibility (not blame) for their reactions/feelings/thoughts. I wonder in this world how well our environment, sustainability and growth would be.
- Donna Swedosh, Senior Facilitator, TIST Certification Training Level 3.
Thank you
Thank you Donna for sharing your experience and insights with us, and for your generosity and support of our TIST Therapy Certification student therapists. We are so happy to have you on the team!
Learn more about Donna and her therapy offerings at www.swedosh.com.au.
Join Trauma Informed Stabilization Treatment Webinar by Dr. Janina Fisher
Helping Trauma Survivors Get Unstuck: A Fragmented Selves Approach in Therapy
In This NEW Janina Fisher Webinar you will learn:
How to understand perplexing clients using the TIST perspective so you can see the fragmented selves at work.
How to organize a treatment plan using the TIST model so you have an effective approach to care.
How TIST helps shift even the most stuck clients so they can finally make progress.
How to relieve your frustration and prevent burnout with more effective trauma treatment.
