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Transactional Analysis (TA)
is a simple and easy way to analyze ego states, transactions, rackets
and games for the purpose of changing one’s life script. TA was
developed by Eric Berne, MD in the 1960’s, and popularized by his books,
“Games People Play” and “What Do You Say After You Say Hello?” Many
people are familiar with the phrase, “I’m Okay; You’re Okay” which is
the basic tenet of TA. Through the learning of your personality
adaptation by completing the Joines Personality Adaptation, you will
quickly identify areas for self change. TA is contract driven therapy.
This means you decide what it is you want to change about yourself and
the therapist’s role is to point out everything that seems
dysfunctional. The responsibility for change is shared by the client and
the therapist. This means both parties are clear about what kind of
change is being sought by the client and the contribution each will make
to the achievement of that self-change contract. With a clearly stated
contract, both parties will know when their work is completed rather
than spend months, years working on the problem. The focus of therapy
is the goal of change rather than attending to the problem.
Autonomy means freedom from script,
responding to life in the here and now, choosing to abandon script
beliefs and living with full awareness, spontaneity and intimacy.
Dr. Berne’s emphasized “cure the patient”
not help him just “make progress.” A cure is not a one time solution
and that’s it for life. Instead, cure means learning new choices and
choosing to act on these new
ways of thinking,
feeling or behaving in an effective way.
Why TA?
Everyone has a story they believe is the way the world is and the story,
also, defines their self worth. For example, you may believe that you
must work and work and not allow yourself any free time to enjoy life.
Your family may complain to you how disappointed they are that you are
not available to them. You may be someone who goes on a vacation and
works the entire time. Knowing your story is the first step in
changing. Many people are “sleep walking” or in a “trance” by listening
to their self-talk. Learning about this internal dialogue (self-talk)
would then give you an option to disconnect from it or not. When you
decide to disidentify from this self-talk you are then in the here and
now.
What do you mean by
self-talk? Everyone has a dialogue or monologue playing in his or
her head. TA helps you become aware of this dialogue. Until you have
this awareness, you cannot make a change in your life that will be
effective. In TA, the focus is not on the problem, but on being in the
here and now, in other words, being authentic. There are three ego
states: Parent, Adult and Child. The Adult ego state is experienced in
the here and now.
What will I get out of
Transactional Analysis (TA)? You will learn how to examine your
thoughts so you can choose to listen or not to your internal dialogue.
This dialogue is normal, habitual, and reinforces your story that keeps
you stuck in either the
past or future.
Can you be specific and
tell me the steps or process for TA?
1. The
Joines Personality Adaptation (JPA) is given (a paper and pencil test)
to determine your preferred way of coping learned in childhood based on
genetic programming and your early life experiences. There are six
types (Responsible-Workalcoholic, Playful-Resister,
Enthusiast-Overreactor, Brilliant-Skeptic, Charming-Manipulator and
Creative-Daydreamer) and everyone will possess some combinations of
them.
2. Reading
the handouts on your personality adaptations and noting those areas for
growth that you may want to change about yourself. Our work will focus
on the top two adaptations, unless there is a tie and then a third
adaptation is considered.
3. Learning
how strokes, games, rackets, discounting, and script matrix keep you
stuck in childhood coping strategies that don’t work anymore.
4. Learning
the importance of disrupting your self-talk so you can choose.
5. Learning
that avoiding the psychological pain has not worked.
6. Learning
you can deal with your psychological pain without making things worse in
your life.
7. Learning what your
emotional needs are and deciding to get them met in a healthy way.
8. Learning
how to give yourself permission to change and at the same time being aware of feeling afraid.
How long will this take? Ten
sessions will give you the basics.
What is the cost? The cost will
be approximately $1300.
What happens after 10 sessions?
We would continue examining and exploring various life situations as you
decide how deep of a healing you are wanting for yourself. You can
leave therapy anytime you want and return later for further exploring
and examining. Once you are fully aware of your story and your coping
strategies, it is a matter of practice to change these old coping
strategies.
Will my health insurance cover the cost?
That depends on the type of insurance you have. I am an out-of-network
provider. If you are not sure of coverage, you should call and find out
before scheduling for your first session. My office will provide you
with a completed insurance form ready for you to mail to your health
insurance company.
TA for couples the
focus will be on understanding the developmental process of a
relationship and the need for safety and mutual protection so the
desired changes can occur.
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