Clyde Mason

Treatment Approach:

I often collaborate with trans people who are heavily traumatized with severe dissociation, including plural systems. I treat trauma as survival energy in the body. Trauma-related parts belong to states in the autonomic nervous system. Feeling like you are not really here, connected, or alive, wanting to die, being unable to go outside, having a hard time in relationships, dealing with nightmares, panic attacks, addictions, disordered eating, self-harm, or shame are all symptoms of trauma and communication from parts.

Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment is trauma-specific parts work for people with severe dissociation. TIST describes trauma-related parts as belonging to animal survival defense systems. Like other mammals, when human people are threatened, we try to fight, we flee, we freeze and try to be invisible, we submit in humiliation, or we cry for help. Everything your trauma-related parts do is for protection. Unblending is an important skill used in TIST. Unblending is creating just enough separation so you can feel both you and the part.

Resourcing is an important skill used in Somatic Experiencing. Resourcing is the practice of intentionally focusing on something that gives you a sense of safety and choice, and noticing what it's like for you in your body when you feel okay. Resourcing helps support your nervous system by shifting away from a threat response and toward feeling more present and connected.

Somatic Inner Relationship Focusing taps into the body's wisdom, revealing stored traumas and emotional memories, and then provides the means to dialogue with those revelations. Companioning parts gently expands self-awareness, inner trust, and compassionate self-respect and supports the healing of inner conflict through a process of listening and acknowledgment.