Transactional Analysis Community
Transactional Analysis
Transactional Analysis (TA) was founded by Eric Berne in the 1950s and
1960s and has been evolving ever since. It is now a well-established approach
used widely in psychotherapy, counselling, education and organisational
development and other areas.
As well as providing a theory of personality, transactional analysis offers
a range of models that can be used to explain communication and relationships.
These models can help identify what goes wrong in communication and how
to interact for a better outcome.
The therapeutic applications of TA focus on providing opportunity for
individuals to change repetitive patterns. These patterns, the result
of early childhood decisions which in TA are referred to as ‘script’
limit an individual’s potential.
TA focuses on how script manifests itself in day-to-day life and how we
can move beyond it to improve the quality of our lives. Used with individuals,
couples and groups, TA is effective with a wide range of therapeutic issues.
Unique in the depth of its theory, this process allows for the individuality
of both therapist and client.
TA is also beneficial in settings such as organisational training and
consultancy, parenting, education, personal development and coaching.
Many TA concepts are simple to learn and apply, making them very accessible
and effective.
Key Ideas in Transactional Analysis
Ego States
Eric Berne made complex interpersonal transactions understandable when
he recognized that the human personality is made up of three "ego
states"; each of which is an entire system of thought, feeling, and
behaviour from which we interact with each other. The Parent, Adult and
Child ego states and the interaction between them form the foundation
of transactional analysis theory. These concepts have spread into many
areas of therapy, education, and consulting as practiced today.
Transactions
Transactions refer to the communication exchanges between people. Transactional
analysts are trained to recognize which ego states people are transacting
from and to follow the transactional sequences so they can intervene and
improve the quality and effectiveness of communication.
Strokes
Berne observed that people need strokes, the units of interpersonal recognition,
to survive and thrive. Understanding how people give and receive positive
and negative strokes and changing unhealthy patterns of stroking are powerful
aspects of work in transactional analysis.
Games People Play
Berne defined certain socially dysfunctional behavioural patterns as "games."
These repetitive, devious transactions are intended to obtain strokes
but instead they reinforce negative feelings and self-concepts, and mask
the direct expression of thoughts and emotions. Berne tagged these games
with such instantly recognizable names as "Why Don't You, Yes But,"
"Now I've Got You, You SOB," and "I'm Only Trying to Help
You." Berne's book Games People Play achieved wide popular success
in the early 60's.
Life Script
Eric Berne proposed that dysfunctional behaviour is the result of self-limiting
decisions made in childhood in the interest of survival. Such decisions
culminate in what Berne called the "life script," the pre-conscious
life plan that governs the way life is lived out. Changing the life script
is the aim of transactional analysis psychotherapy. Replacing violent
organizational or societal scripting with cooperative non-violent behaviour
is the aim of other applications of transactional analysis.
I'm OK - You're OK
"I'm OK - You're OK" is probably the best-known expression of
the purpose of transactional analysis: to establish and reinforce the
position that recognizes the value and worth of every person. Transactional
analysts regard people as born basically "OK" and thus capable
of change, growth, and healthy interactions.
Contracts
Transactional analysis practice is based upon mutual contracting for change.
Transactional analysts view people as capable of deciding what they want
for their lives. Accordingly transactional analysis does its work on a
contractual basis between the client and the therapist, educator, or consultant.
Fields of Practice in Transactional Analysis
Counselling
Counsellors who utilize transactional analysis work directly on "here
and now" problem solving with their clients, focusing on creating
productive problem solving behaviours. By using transactional analysis,
counsellor's educate and establish an equal working relationship with
their clients. This working relationship provides clients with tools they
can utilize in their day-to-day functions.
Psychotherapy
Transactional analysis, according to Eric Berne, is a powerful tool for
human well being. In psychotherapy, transactional analysis utilizes the
"Adult" in both the client and the clinician to sort out pathological
behaviours and thoughts that result in incapacitation. Trained and skilled
transactional analysts work "with" clients to eliminate dysfunctional
behaviours and establish and reinforce healthy functioning. Competent,
transactional analysts use the many tools of psychotherapy ranging from
psychoanalysis to behaviour modification in effective and potent ways
using transactional analysis as an operational system.
Organisational
Transactional Analysis is a powerful tool in the hands of organizational
development specialists. Through presenting the basic concepts of transactional
analysis and using it as the basic theory to under gird the objectives
of their clients, organizational development specialists build a common
strategy with which to address the particular needs of organizations and
to build a functional relationship, as well as eliminate dysfunctional
organizational behaviours.
Education
Educators who work with transactional analysis teach the simple concepts
of basic transactional analysis to enable students, whether the students
are elementary or post-graduate students. By using the basic theory of
transactional analysis, educators work to create a common understanding
of personality and functioning that reaches across all fields of learning
and unifies the educational experience.
If you would like to find out more about TA you can attend an Introductory
Course (TA101)
Institute of Transactional Analysis
www.ita.org.uk
The European Association of Transactional Analysis www.eatanews.org