Introduction
Psychotherapy commenced with the practice of the father of psychotherapy, Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis. He gave the initiative as talk therapy concerning cognitive health and negative beliefs. With that, Eric Berne formulated his conviction on how past experiences affect life's ego-states and brought new concepts in understanding the actual theme of the client's conduct and utilizing the same to solve it. This is a kind of new approach that address the ego-states through social interaction and applies the obtained characteristic to solve emotional ailments.
What Is Transactional Analysis?
Transactional analysis is psychotherapy and analytical theory that aids the communication and interaction of an individual to determine the views and conflicts. Here, the therapist classifies the social interaction as either parent-based, child-based, or adult-based. The therapist plots therapeutic sessions designed in a way to interact with the individuals, understanding the nature of ego-states. Transactional analysis enhances personal and professional growth with a new perspective on the future and life. It is modern psychotherapy that ensures every individual has the capability for positive change.
History of Transactional Analysis:
Eric Berne, a psychoanalyst, is the founder of transactional analysis, which was developed by the ideology of psychoanalytic therapy from Sigmund Freud. Sigmund says childhood events impact our present life and are expressed in conduct. The transactional analysis came into evolution in the late 1950s, bottomed on the theme of ‘transaction’ as the analysis's true essence. It is in the context of communication or interactions between people. Berne inspired Sigmund's theory for its significant contribution that human personality is multifaceted and thus expressed accordingly in emotions, behavior, and feelings through the different stages of life. In addition to this, Berne matured with observable concepts of three ego states-the parent, adult, and child.
What Are the Concepts of Transactional Analysis?
It is all about sharing or transacting the issue with the therapist. Bernie conveys that the client represents one of three states during a transaction. Due to this fact, he gave certain vital concepts for understanding the problem and finding the basic approach in transactional analysis.
Ego-States: Firstly, knowing one’s ego-state is essential in transactional analysis. It highlights three main components or stages attributing related thoughts and behavior of the entire life.
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Parent Ego State: Comprises behavior, feelings, and thoughts extracted from parents.
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Adult Ego State: Behavior, feelings, and thoughts exhibited in response to the present circumstances.
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Child Ego State: Behavior, thoughts, and feelings re-expressed from childhood.
Transactions: Herewith, the ego states work. Any confusion or alteration in these ego states would eventually revert in our thoughts, giving a distorted view of self and life. The below three kinds of transactions provide an explanation of the interaction of ego states with an individual.
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Compensatory Transaction: The ego state of the sender communicates and meets the desired ego state of the receiver, both transacting in the same manner.
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Ulterior Transaction: Here, the sender delivers a common message, but it seems to affect any one of the ego states. There exists subtle underlying info yet perceived with an intention by a receiver.
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Crossed Transaction: The ego state of one’s communication seems unreliable and does not meet the desired ego state of the receiver; both sender and receiver have entirely different thoughts.
Unconscious-Scripts: A few thoughts and behavior transformed from childhood seem distorted, creating a negative impact. These thoughts are meant for unconscious scripts and meant to be managed into positive ones. Transactional therapy sheds light on those unconsciously built beliefs.
How Does Transactional Analysis Work?
Transactional analysis is made up of therapy sessions that can be either for individuals, couples, or families. The conversation is taken off further as per the therapist’s questions. Firstly, the therapist ensures he presents a secure and pleasant habitat enhancing the client-therapist relationship, which is a vital part. Next, he will rule out how childhood events impact the client’s conduct. Through this, the therapist comes into a perception of complicated thoughts and behavior yet to be resolved. Finally, concerning the future, he will guide the person in determining the solution in a better manner. This transaction will aid a bright future and a new self.
What Are the Benefits of Transactional Analysis?
As the name reveals, transactional analysis is commonly employed to resolve conflicts in any transaction among families or couples. And it is also used in various conditions lacking self-worth. Outside the box, it aids in parenting, education, medicine, and career. Transactional analysis is proven to have succeeding benefits.
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It builds self-confidence.
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It teaches the fundamental lesson of life discovering a new path.
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It elevates self-awareness.
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It alleviates negative thoughts and behavior.
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Contributes to personal image and growth.
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Through repetition and practice, it improves the way of communication.
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It gives an intense insight into the behavior, feelings, and thoughts.
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It betters the relationship in the act of eliminating clashes.
How Is Transactional Analysis Effective?
Transactional-based therapy elicits personal development and is much more effective in solving conflicts. In addition, the effectiveness is reliable under specific study concerns.
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In 1995, the consumer reports stated in an article that psychotherapy conducted by transactional analysts was productive and effective, while the therapy by a psychologist, medical counselor, social worker, and physician was not that effective.
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Adding that transactional psychotherapy operating sessions for over and above six months made forty percent more effective than less than six months.
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A further study review verified to have a positive effect on clients rather than negative consequences.
Limitations:
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Moreover, it is presumed based on content analysis.
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The analysis requires voluntariness and acceptance of their own actions and emotions; that is why it might not be appropriate for everyone.
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Berne failed to meet energy theory as the structural explanation is prominent.
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The current transactional analysis does not seem to have had the original simplistic form, just when several theories have been included for further development.
Conclusion
Transactional analysis is a type of psychoanalytic theory that holds a unique approach to analyzing social interactions for determining the ego state of the person. By ruling out the ego state, the communicator is instructed to revise with the objective of settling emotional problems. So, transactional analysis is a compelling modern approach to enhancing one’s self-worth. Moreover, it essentially suits those who encounter clashes and misunderstandings in relationships.
