What is Transactional Analysis

Transactional Analysis was founded by Eric Berne (1910 – 1970) who brought together some of the most effective ideas in psychotherapy into a powerful body of theory and practice.

Berne’s most significant contribution was his use of simplistic models and easy language that even a layman could understand and draw from.  In his own words, “TA writing should be for the people, the layman, and must be understandable to an 8 year-old child, a mid-west farmer, and an M.I.T. professor.”  His methods and the basis of Transactional Analysis also brought about a demystification of psychotherapy.

Transactional Analysis concepts can be used for personal and professional growth and change.  The basic philosophy of Transactional Analysis espouses respect for self and others, respect for peoples’ ability to think and make their own decisions.

Transactional Analysis is a theory of human behaviour and personality and offers a range of models that can be used to understand internal dynamics and interpersonal relationships.  It brings together all of this, in a powerful system of psychological models.  It fosters Autonomy – the capacity for awareness, spontaneity and intimacy.

It offers a framework for understanding our experiences, for identifying where problems in communication are taking place, and for enabling personal change.  It has its application in the fields of education, organisational, counselling and psychotherapy.