Welcome to the South African

Transactional Analysis Association

Welcome to the home page of the South African Transactional Analysis Association.This website is designed to be a resource for practioners, students and others interested in TA.You will find content covering Education, Organisations, Psychotherapy and Counselling.Visit the Workshops section to make sure you dont miss the latest workshops, training sessions and CPD opportunities. See our Links page for reading lists, international conferences, and interesting artices.

What is Transactional Analysis (TA)?

TA is a simple yet profound way of understanding how and why people think, feel and behave as they do. Developed in America in the 1950s by Eric Berne it is now practised worldwide. TA draws analytic, behavioural and existential psychological theories into a holistic understanding of personality. It also offers simple and effective tools which enable people to become more self aware and discover new options to enrich their lives. It is used as a primary therapeutic model by both counsellors and psychotherapists. It is also applied in educational and organisational settings where it provides a framework for improved communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, managing change and transcultural awareness. <more>

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory of human development, personality, and communication. It has concepts that can be learned and applied as tools for personal and professional growth and change. The underlying philosophy is one of mutual self-respect and caring and a belief in peoples' ability to be responsible, think for themselves and make their own decisions.

TA theories and models are easy to understand and use, and can be related to: personal development, working in teams and groups, attitudes to self and others, building self esteem, personal styles, assertiveness, parenting, discipline, learning and transformation, therapy and counselling skills

Developed in America in the 1950s by Eric Berne it is now practised worldwide. It has concepts that can be learned and applied as tools for personal and professional growth and change. TA draws analytic, behavioural and existential psychological theories into a holistic understanding of personality.

The underlying philosophy is one of mutual self-respect and caring and a belief in peoples' ability to be responsible, think for themselves and make their own decisions. It is used as a primary therapeutic model by both counsellors and psychotherapists. It is also applied developmentally in educational and organisational settings.

 

Organisations

Transactional Analysis is a powerful tool in the hands of organisational development specialists. Through presenting the basic concepts of Transactional Analysis and using it as the basic theory to undergird the objectives of their clients, organisational development specialists build a common strategy with which to address the particular needs of organisations and to build a functional relationship, as well as eliminate dysfunctional organisational behaviours.

Education

Transactional Analysis is a practical educational psychology. TA concepts provide a flexible and creative approach to understanding how people function and to the connections between human behaviour, learning and education.

TA can be used to address important issues in initial and continuing teacher education, institutional climate and culture, developmental and educational needs, building self esteem, parent education, student motivation, staff morale and teacher well-being, blocks to learning and teaching and behaviour management

Above all educational TA is invaluable in helping people to thrive and in promoting healthy and effective learning in a wide variety of contexts.

Psychotherapy

Transactional Analysis, well known for its theory of the Parent, Adult and Child ego states, is a powerful tool to bring about human well being. In psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis uses a contract for specific changes desired by the client and involves the Adult of the client and the clinician to sort out patterns of behaviours, emotions and thoughts that prevent the development of full human potential.

Transactional Analysts intervene as they work with clients in a safe, protective, mutually respectful (I'm OK, You're OK) relationship to eliminate dysfunctional behaviours and establish and reinforce positive patterns of behaviour and that will enable healthy functioning and good relationships.

Transactional Analysts are able to use many tools of psychotherapy, ranging from psychodynamic to cognitive behavioural methods in effective and potent ways. They also empower clients by sharing their knowledge of TA so that clients are able to utilise this understanding on their own behalf.

Counselling

Counsellors who utilise Transactional Analysis work directly on "here and now" problem solving with their clients, focusing on creating productive problem solving behaviors. By using Transactional Analysis, counsellors educate and establish an equal working relationship with their clients. This working relationship provides clients with tools they can utilise in their day-to-day functions.