This episode is sponsored by the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD).

The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is an international, non-profit, professional association organized to develop and promote comprehensive, clinically effective and empirically based resources and responses to trauma and dissociation and to address its relevance to other theoretical constructs.

To learn more and become a member, visit: https://www.isst-d.org/

Visit https://cfas.isst-d.org/ to access educational offerings for both professionals and non-professionals

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What if the most misunderstood diagnosis in mental health is actually a trauma story told in code? We sit down with Janina Fisher to unpack why many “borderline” symptoms are survival adaptations and how Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST) helps people find steady ground without getting lost in overwhelm. This is a conversation about dignity, clarity, and the profound relief that comes when symptoms are seen as protective parts doing their best to keep us safe.

Janina walks us through the core moves of TIST: recognizing structural dissociation, naming parts linked to fight, flight, freeze, submit, or attach, and using mindful awareness to “notice the part, then notice you noticing.” That simple shift creates a compassionate observing self that calms intensity and restores choice. We talk about reframing suicidality as a mercy offer from a protector, and understanding the inner critic as a rule-enforcer shaped by dangerous homes rather than a permanent enemy. Along the way, Janina shares how stabilization grows when curiosity replaces control, and why skills only work when tied to what is actually happening in the room.

We also get practical. You’ll hear how to spot feeling memories when the past feels painfully present, how to ground in ways that are responsive rather than prescriptive, and how therapists can avoid old traps like trying to “make” clients connect with emotions. For those seeking help, Janina offers questions to ask when vetting clinicians and points to training pathways and her new workbook, Embracing Our Fragmented Selves, designed for survivors and therapists alike.

If you’re ready to see borderline dynamics through a trauma lens, this episode offers a map filled with compassion and usable steps. Subscribe, share with a colleague or friend who needs this reframe, and leave a review to tell us which insight shifted your practice or your healing journey.

Learn more about Dr. Fisher here: https://janinafisher.com/about/

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