It is not possible here to provide more than a brief statement regarding Transactional Analysis for the reader unfamiliar with this extremely vital, relevant, and versatile school of modern psychiatry and psychology.

     This field of therapy is rooted in the work of Dr. Eric Berne (1910-1970), a pioneer in psychiatry. It is a radical departure from the mainstream of psychoanalytic theory and practice adopting, as it does, the fundamental belief that each person is born with the capacity for spontaneity, intimacy, and awareness, loving and trusting those upon whom it is dependent for its survival.  From birth forward, these faculties are gradually weakened and warped by the process of socialization within the primary family structure.  Some of the cornerstone classic works on the subject include:  Games People Play by Eric Berne, I'm OK - You're OK by  Thomas Harris, and Scripts People Live by Claude Steiner.

     The three basic tenets of Transactional Analysis (TA) that set it apart from traditional approaches given here are paraphrased from discussions appearing in several articles and books, including Scripts People Live by Dr. Claude M. Steiner  (New York: Grove Press Inc., 1974):

	Human beings are, by nature, inclined to and capable of living in harmony with themselves, each other, and nature.  If given adequate nurturing and otherwise left alone, people have a natural tendency to live, to take of themselves, to be healthy and happy, to learn to get along with each other, and to respect other forms of life.      If people are unhealthy, unhappy, uninterested in learning, uncooperative, selfish, or disrespectful of life, it is the result of external oppressive influences, which overpower the more basic life tendency that is built into them.  Even when overpowered, this tendency remains dormant, so that it is ready to express itself when oppression lifts.  Even if it is not given achance to be expressed in a person's lifetime, this human tendency is passed on to each succeeding generation of newborns.
	People in emotional difficulties are nevertheless full, intelligent, human beings capable of understanding their troubles and the process which liberates people from them.  They must be involved in the healing process if they are to solve their difficulties.
	All emotional disturbances are curable, given adequate knowledge and proper approach.  This means not just the mildly neurotic but the drug addict, the severely depressed, the schizophrenic; everyone with a functional psychiatric disorder is seen as curable.  This means not just turning schizophrenics into "brave schizophrenics" or changing addicts into "arrested addicts" but rather to help them to get back their membership in the human race.

     A considerable body of literature has accumulated on the subject of Transactional Analysis and its myriad applications to just about any aspect of human psychology, communication, and relationships.   Extensive listings of published works as well as referrals to currently practicing licensed transactional analysts can be obtained through: The International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA),  450 Pacific Avenue, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94133-4640, USA. Tel: (415) 989-5640; Fax: (415) 989-9343; E-Mail: itaa@itaa-net.org (see graphic link below for web site).

    TA is alive and well among the green hills and valleys of lovely Ireland. The TAI (Transactional Analysis in Ireland) group may be contacted through the delightful Elizabeth Cleary in Dublin. (see graphic link below for web site).

    Many quality works are listed with: Shea Books, 1563 Solano Ave., Suite 206, Berkeley, CA 94707, Phone: (510) 528-5201 or toll free from the USA only 1-800-324-SHEA, Fax: (510) 528-4987. E-mail: normshea@concentric.net.  Shea Books carries books, cassettes, and posters relating to Transactional Analysis, Gestalt Therapy and other psychotherapeutic modalities.

Visit the ITAA web site:

Also see the TA folks in Ireland:

For an exhaustive listing of TA literature:

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