TA – Transactional Analysis
TA is Psychotherapy method for personal growth and personal change with a wide variety in its application with individuals, couples and groups.
TA is Psychotherapy method for personal growth and personal change with a wide variety in its application with individuals, couples and groups.
Transactional analysis is now a widely used and well recognised form of psychotherapy. Originally conceived by Eric Berne in the 1950s it involves a range of conceptual and practical processes and tools to encourage growth and change.
TA is used to facilitate a better understanding of individuals, relationships and communication. TA as a theory of personality, communication and child development is applied as a tool in working with psychological issues, ranging from everyday living problems to severe mental health difficulties.
In recent years many new trends in transactional analysis therapy have emerged producing exciting and effective approaches. Some of our Transactional Analysis Psychotherapists have trained at Metanoia Institute, where many of the recent developments in this field originated from. One of the most significant developments has been termed Relational Transactional Analysis.
Transactional Analysis was presented by Eric Berne as a way to build on the philosophical constructs used by Sigmund Freud. This involved using observable data gained by analysing a client’s social transactions, as opposed to just their personalities.
By mapping interpersonal relationships between what he termed as ‘ego states’ (parent, adult and child state), and investigating the way individuals currently in each state communicated with each other (known as transactions), Berne was able to recognise ‘games’ within them. He saw patterns recurring during these transactions which provided deeper insight into the individuals.
Berne’s work to bring Transactional Analysis to the mainstream therapy world took place largely during the 1950s and the 1960s, with several notable articles published by Berne, and a book entitled Transactional Analysis in Psychotherapy: Structures and Dynamics of Organizations and Groups published in 1963.
As opposed to solely diving into an individual’s past to gain insight, transactional analysis also focuses on the way a person currently interacts with others around them. This encourages self-awareness when it comes to conditioned responses without the use of additional techniques.
Transactional analysis in counselling works as talking therapy, with a collaborative approach between the therapist and the individual. Once the goals of therapy have been established, initially sessions will work to establish the current ego state of the client. Then, they’ll work with them in an analysis of their communication with others to discover their unconscious ‘life script’.
Because TA focuses on interactions with others, your communication in all areas of your life can stand to be improved by transactional analysis. This could be in the workplace, parenting your children, talking to your partner, or even just talking to strangers.
TA seeks to remove your blindfold when it comes to how you interact with people around you, so you’ll have a better insight into how you manage your emotions, and your behaviour. You’ll get to recognise thought patterns in response to different situations, so you know how best to take a more objective view of things.
That improved communication style is going to come in handy when things get heated, by working to make your responses calm and effective in resolving the problem as opposed to inflaming the situation further.
By being better at communicating and by having greater self-awareness, you’ll find that your relationships with others improve, as you’ll be able to better recognise where their communication is coming from, and how you can overcome your conditioned responses. This encourages trust, empathy and understanding between you and those around you – all good building blocks for healthy, fulfilling relationships.
Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy is offered by Sam Jahara, Gerry Gilmartin and Chris Horton.
Taking on the journey of transactional analysis therapy can be daunting. But during your sessions, we explore patterns of communication and behaviour to improve relationships and focus on understanding ego states and their impact.
Your first session provides an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know each other and determine if it’s the right fit. You may experience a mix of relief and anxiety as you enter into this journey, but this is normal.
Your role during the first meeting is to gauge whether you feel comfortable enough to share your personal inner world with the therapist and ask as many questions as you feel necessary to make your decision. It’s important to remember that there is no rush for making your decision, and you should take time to understand how you feel following the meeting.
Confidentiality is crucial in therapy as it ensures everything that is discussed in your sessions stays between you and your therapist. However, there are rare instances where confidentiality may be broken if you are deemed to be a risk to yourself or others.
The frame in therapy refers to the physical and contractual boundaries that create a conductive therapeutic environment. Each clinician may have their own unique approach to the frame, but its purpose remains consistent – to safeguard both you and the therapeutic process.
The frame may include various aspects including the time and location of sessions, confidentiality, fees, and the consistent manner in which your therapist interacts with you.
Most people who come to transactional analysis therapy either come for an agreed number of sessions or will enter into an open-ended contract with their therapist. However, once people get into a rhythm with therapy and start to see the benefits that translate into your everyday life, it’s not uncommon for them to want to continue with their therapy.
If you are unsure of the type of therapy you need, you can search for a therapist to suite you.
At Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy, transactional analysis is offered by Sam Jahara, Gerry Gilmartin and Chris Horton.
Based across Brighton, Hove and Lewes, our transactional therapists use their wealth of experience to fully understand the needs and goals of their clients before applying transactional analysis techniques to gain insight into how they interact with those around them.
The entire Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy team are committed to bringing a wide range of therapy styles to our clients, and our transactional analysis therapists are no exception.
Choosing Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy is a really important step in your journey to better understanding yourself, and overcoming the challenges that life throws at you. We have assembled a truly remarkable team of highly trained psychotherapists, who have the experience and knowledge to apply a variety of techniques and styles of therapy to the needs of many client groups. We do this from well-appointed, convenient locations in Hove and Lewes, as well as offering online sessions to enable you to make the time for yourself that you need.
For more information, check out our Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy PDF guide.
All the content on this page has been reviewed and vetted by Sam Jahara Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Co-Founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy. For any questions or more information about the subjects discussed on this page please contact us.
Can couples do transactional analysis?
Yes; transactional Analysis therapy can be one-on-one, or be attended by couples, families or groups.
How many transactional analysis sessions do I need to have?
This will depend entirely on what you need from therapy. You may wish to agree with your therapist on a fixed number of sessions or enter into an open-ended agreement.
Where are your transactional therapists available?
Transactional analysis is available at our Hove and Lewes practices, as well as online.
What issues can TA help with?
The versatility of TA allows us to use it for a range of difficulties, from everyday communication problems to more troublesome mental health issues.
What is the objective of transactional analysis?
There are many objectives that can be achieved through transaction analysis, but broadly it allows the client to make more informed decisions about the way they choose to behave, and better understand themselves, and those around them.
How can I find the right transactional analysis psychotherapist?
We’ve got a helpful online tool that allows you to get to know more about our psychotherapists, so we’d suggest starting there as a guide to who would be a good fit.