About
Transactional Analysis ("TA") was developed in the 1950s by a Canadian doctor called Eric Berne. It is a way of understanding why people think, feel, and behave the way they do — and a practical tool for helping them change.
One of the main concepts within TA is that of "Ego States", or parts of your personality.
The three parts of your personality
Everyone has three "modes" they operate from at any given moment:
- Parent — behaving like the adults who raised you; either critical and judging, or caring and supportive
- Adult — thinking clearly and rationally, based on facts
- Child — reacting like you did as a kid; either playful and spontaneous, or fearful and people-pleasing
Transactions Every time two people interact, there is a stimulus and a response sent between these parts of your personality. Communication flows smoothly when the modes match up, for example Parent to Parent, or Parent to Child. It breaks down when they don't, for example, when one person speaks from their Parent ego state but is responded to from the other person's Adult ego state. This is called a "crossed transaction" and interrupts the flow of communication.
Strokes People need recognition from others to thrive — these are called strokes. Positive strokes feel good; negative strokes hurt. But even negative ones are better than being ignored, which is why some people seem drawn to harmful relationships.
Games When people can't ask directly for what they need, they play unconscious games — repeated patterns that end badly for everyone, but keep happening because they meet hidden needs.
Scripts Early in life, children form beliefs about themselves and the world — often "I'm not OK" — based on messages from parents. These become life scripts: unconscious plans that shape everything.
The goal of TA therapy Help people recognise their scripts and games, and make new choices — returning to the natural "I'm OK" position they started with.