Transactional Analysis

Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory of personal growth, communication, and human development. Developed in the late 1950s by psychiatrist Eric Berne, TA explores how our past experiences—particularly in childhood—influence the way we think, feel, and behave today.

At the heart of TA is the concept of three ego states that shape our interactions and internal processes:

Parent – Thoughts, feelings, and behaviours we learn from authority figures, such as parents or teachers.
Adult – Rational responses to the present moment, free from past influence.
Child – Emotions, reactions, and behaviours rooted in early childhood experiences.

These ego states help us understand communication patterns, emotional responses, and unconscious “scripts” or life patterns. TA is often used to analyse repeated behaviours and “games” that people play in relationships—often without being fully aware of them.

TA aims to improve self-awareness, promote healthy communication, and empower individuals to break free from limiting patterns. It encourages clients to revisit past decisions, explore their life direction, and gain confidence in making authentic, autonomous choices.

As a humanistic approach, TA shares common ground with Person-Centred Counselling by emphasizing the here and now, self-responsibility, and the potential for positive change.