What is Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy?

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a type of therapy that helps you understand why you think, feel, and act in the ways you do. It seeks to help you manage and change your social reactions, so that you feel better about yourself and your life.

The founder of Transactional Analysis, Eric Berne, came up with his method in the 1950s. It became widely regarded for many people as a more understandable way of working than psychoanalysis, Berne’s research led him to believe that answers were not to be found by understanding our personalities, but by understanding our social interactions.  He recognised the way we socialise can be seen as a measurable unit called a ‘transaction’. It becomes a pattern of action and reaction that is observable and therefore changeable.

TA therapy is based on the theory that each person has three ego-states: Parent, Adult and Child. These are used along with other key transactional analysis concepts, tools and models to analyse how individuals communicate and to identify what interaction is needed for a better outcome.

Transactional analysis is a talking therapy and sessions are designed to explore an individual's personality and how this has been shaped by experience - particularly those stemming from childhood. This is achieved through skilful questioning and the utilisation of various models, techniques and tools. 

Sessions can be carried out in the form of one-on-one counselling, or with families, couples or groups. And, although it is commonly recognised as a brief and solution-focused approach, transactional analysis can also be applied as an effective long-term, in-depth therapy.

The atmosphere that supports transactional analysis is non-judgemental, secure and respectful, ensuring that a positive relationship is forged between the therapist and client in order to provide a model for subsequent relationships and communication that are developed outside of therapy.

In this setting, the therapist works collaboratively with the individual. Together, they will identify what has gone wrong in the client’s communication and provide opportunities for them to change repetitive patterns that limit their potential.