Transactional Analysis: The Basics

This accessible textbook on transactional analysis (TA) provides a comprehensive overview of TA theory, with a strong emphasis throughout on practical application.

The core theory of TA is explained, as well as how concepts have developed over time. Each theoretical concept is presented with brief examples or vignettes from different fields of application of TA (such as psychotherapy, counselling, education and organisational) and – crucially – how TA can be used in everyday life. To facilitate the learning of concepts, the book includes personal development activities at the end of chapters together with suggestions for further reading.

This is an essential text for complete beginners and first year students on TA training courses as well as students on counselling and psychotherapy training, and those undertaking training in organisational development and coaching.

Mark Widdowson was a psychotherapist and couples therapist based in central Manchester, specialising in the therapy of depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems and issues around sex and sexuality. He was a teaching and supervising transactional analyst, a UKCP registered psychotherapist and an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. He was a senior lecturer in counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Salford, Director of Manchester Psychotherapy Foundation and associate director of The Berne Institute.