TA Psychotherapy - Overview

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory of personality, a model of communication, and a theory of child development.

Some basic assumptions of TA are that:

• People are ok (even when our behaviour is not ok sometimes).
• Everyone has the capacity to think.
• People decide their own destiny, and these decisions can be changed.

TA has a variety of ideas and models, which can help us to understand others and ourselves in relation to the above assumptions.

These tools can be used to observe and reflect on the transactions (communication) between us and other people you are in relationship with, raise awareness of patterns of behaviour and how some past experiences are, unhelpfully, influencing thoughts, feelings and behaviour in the present.

The aim of this work is personal growth and change, so you are able to live more satisfactorily and resourcefully.

How it may help

Through exploring the messages you have grown up with that may be limiting your beliefs as an adult you can begin to explore different ways of thinking and interacting in order to understand and improve your life.

The following are some of the issues Transactional Analysis can help with:

• Relationship issues
• Low confidence/self esteem
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Stress
• Phobias
• Emotional difficulties
• Abuse
• Trauma
• Making life changes and decisions

We work with individuals and couples.

A typical session
A session lasts about 1 hour and is completely confidential (unless we have serious concerns about your own or someone else’s safety, which we would speak with you about first).

In the first session we will start to get to know each other and decide if we both think it is suitable to work together.  In TA psychotherapy we take joint responsibility for the changes you want to make, we call this a contract.  This basically means we work out together what you want to achieve, what you are willing to do to bring about that change and how I, as the therapist, am willing to work with you on this task.  This ensures we both have the same understanding of the work we are doing together.

Cost / Number of sessions
The number of sessions required depends on the issue. However the aim of the treatment is to help as quickly as possible for maximum effect. On average clients attend for an initial 6 sessions.  You then have the option of choosing to enter a more in depth relationship during which time you may meet with your psychotherapist weekly/fortnightly over a much longer period of time. Sessions usually last an hour.