Introducing Transactional Analysis
TA is a theory of personality and social interpersonal relations which may be used in situations of mutual consent for personal growth, and change, professional development and social development.
Some Key Ideas in Transactional Analysis
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.
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 basically "OK" and thus capable of change, growth, and healthy interactions.
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.
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. Supporting positive changes in the life script and replacing unhelpful or harmful organisational, educational or societal scripting with cooperative non-violent behaviour is the aim of developmental transactional analysis.
TA Professional Workforce
- psychotherapists
- counsellors
- organisational development consultants
- facilitators, tutors, educators
- nurses
- social workers
- teachers
- mental health & addiction workers
- management consultants
- managers & leaders
- learning & development managers
- trainers
You will find TA Professionals working in:
- mental health and addiction sector
- private practice and business
- health and education sectors
- social and community services
- community development
- non-government organisations (NGOs)
- corporate organisations
- business sector
- voluntary organisations