What Is Transactional Analysis?

Transactional analysis is a social psychology developed by Eric Berne, MD (d.1970). Berne’s theory consists of certain key concepts that practitioners use to help clients, students, and systems analyze and change patterns of interaction that interfere with achieving life aspirations. Over the past 40 years, Berne's theory has evolved to include applications in counseling, education, organizational development, and psychotherapy. Research studies have evaluated the effectiveness of transactional analysis in a wide variety of contexts. (See also training and certification in transactional analysis.)

• The counseling specialization is chosen by professionals working in such diverse contexts as social welfare, health care, pastoral work, prevention, mediation, process facilitation, multicultural work, and humanitarian activities, to name a few.
• Educational transactional analysis is used by practitioners working in training centers, preschools, elementary and high schools, universities, and institutions that prepare teachers and trainers as well as in support of learners of all ages to thrive within their families, organizations, and communities.
• Organizational transactional analysts work in, or for, organizations using transactional analysis concepts and techniques to evaluate an organization’s developmental processes and challenges as well as its dysfunctional behaviors.
• Psychotherapists utilize transactional analysis to facilitate their clients’ capacities for self-actualization and healing by learning to recognize and change old, self-limiting patterns.

Conferences & Events

With the political, social, and economic impact of globalization and ever-increasing diversity in communities worldwide, we are all on different points on the cultural continuum, from the “mixed salad” to the “melting pot”—everyone a part of “The Dance of Culture.” Can this metaphor inspire us as transactional analysts to explore and, if needed, change our roles in this dance of culture and encourage others to join us?

India, with its diverse cultures, invites you to join us in beautiful Kochi to consider together “The Dance of Culture.” We will meet in the city of Ernakulam, the commercial capital of Kerala and the eastern, mainland portion of the city of Kochi (erstwhile Cochin). It is served by an international airport, fine communication facilities, excellent accommodations, and modern amenities and has many lovely places that offer a breathtaking experience for visitors.

Kochi is a fascinating blend of cultures. From time immemorial, it has been the favorite destination of globe trotters and explorers. Blessed by one of the finest natural harbors in the world, Kochi has been described as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” In and around Kochi are several cities of monumental value, but step into Fort Kochi, and you are in a totally different world. The Chinese fishing nets, the Jewish synagogue, the Dutch palace, the Portuguese and British architecture—all are unique features of Kochi.

Transactional Analysis Journal

With its first issue appearing January 1971, the Transactional Analysis Journal is published quarterly to advance the theory, principles, and practice of transactional analysis.

As a peer-reviewed journal, the TAJ offers scholarly and research articles as well as book reviews. The TAJ frequently features theme issues on topics such as ethics, learning from our mistakes, training and supervision, redecision therapy, Eric Berne, the body in therapy, case studies, the schizoid process, transactional analysis in education, the evolving field of organizational transactional analysis, transactional analysis and psychoanalysis, gay and lesbian issues, transactional analysis in Latin America, freedom and responsibility, groups, counseling, and transactional analysis with children.

ITAA members receive an annual subscription as a membership benefit, which includes both hard-copy and online formats. In addition, access to the full digital TAJ archive from 1971-present is included with certain membership categories (see "Membership Benefits"). Nonmembers can also subscribe to the journal for an annual fee by contacting our publisher, Routledge/Taylor and Francis.

Authors wishing to submit manuscripts for publications should consult our submission guidelines.pdf.

The Script

The Script newsletter is published digitally each month to communicate news of interest about transactional analysis and the ITAA to readers around the world. It offers articles, interviews, editorial columns, regional news, election notices and other organizational information, conference news and information, award announcements, and letters to the editor. Past issues have featured articles on Eric Berne and his legacy, counseling and spirituality, new trends in educational transactional analysis, uses of intuition, couples work, parenting, social psychiatry, and the development of TA in various countries, including Japan, Romania, South India, South Africa, France, and Germany.

The Script newsletter is a benefit of ITAA membership. To read current issues, if you are an ITAA member, go to the members-only page by logging in with your member user ID and password. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join by clicking here or going to the "ITAA Membership: Join or Renew" page at the top of this page.

Submissions We welcome submissions about news related to the global transactional analysis community; brief articles (1200 word maximum) about transactional analysis applications and developments; reports on conferences, interest groups, and gatherings; letters to the editor; and articles reflecting personal perspectives on issues of interest and relevance to transactional analysts around the world. Please e-mail all submissions and/or questions to Robin Fryer, Managing Editor. Photos/graphics should be submitted as tiff or jpg images attached to e-mails, not embedded in documents.

Advertising in The Script Please send your ad text in a Word document with any graphics/photos as jpg or tiff images attached separately (not embedded in the Word document). In the Word document, let us know how you want the ad to look or if you want us to do the design. Send ad text and graphic/photo files to Robin Fryer, Managing Editor.