In this essay I will give an explanation of my understanding of Transactional Analysis, more commonly known as ‘TA’, and the Gestalt theory to counselling, as discussed in module one, year three of the Chrysalis Counselling course. I will then apply these approaches, and demonstrate the methodology to a previous client case study, discussing what I could have achieved. I will offer a brief outline of the case in question to allow for clear understanding of the presenting issue, and the possible outcomes that could be approached with counselling. I will consider what I have learnt from this research, and what I could take into my future work. I will conclude with a brief summary. Firstly, I will begin by explaining the meaning of transactional analysis (TA), and the dynamics behind this. Eric Berne was the founder of ‘TA’ in the 1950’s. ‘TA’ is a theory of personality and social psychology within the humanistic tradition.’ (www.functionalfluency.com/what is transactional analysis?) Berne developed the theory and practice of ‘TA’ as a method of psychotherapy.
‘Transactional analysis (TA) means the exploration of all the component parts of psycho/social exchanges between people – in other words, finding out how people tick and what is going on between them.’ (www.functionalfluency.com/TA’s name).
The approach is integrative, and combines various aspects of counselling approaches, psychodynamic, humanistic and behaviourist. It looks at the cognitive effect of human experience. It offers a framework for understanding different personalities. It provides an understanding of how people react, and inter-react, with each other, and how our minds work. TA is based on the notion that we have three parts, or ego-states, to our personality, and that these converse with one another in ‘transactions’. When two people communicate, each exchange is a ‘transaction’. Many of our problems come from transactions which are unsuccessful, and this can be due largely to the attitudes that are adopted at that time. There are four theoretical foundations. There is the ego-state, scripts, transactions and games. We are compelled to play multiple parts every day depending on the situation we find ourselves in. Our attitudes vary more of less consciously, depending on the situation, and the people we encounter. This is the way we express our personality. We each have three ego-states – Adult, Parent and Child, and we use these in varying forms throughout our normal daily lives, even within ourselves internally.
The Term Paper on Transactional Analysis
The following is an introductory description of Transactional Analysis. It is designed to be understood by the layperson, written with approximately the same level of complexity that Berne used forGames People Play. Psychoanalysis before Eric Berne While there were many theories purporting to explain human behavior before Biography of Eric Berne Eric Berne,the most frequently cited and known is ...
Within each ego we also have ‘sub-sections’. If we present in the ‘adult ego’, we are being rational, reasonable and assertive, without trying to control, or react aggressively, much like the ‘ideal self’ would be. Whereas, if we are presenting a ‘parent ego’ we could either be nurturing, caring or concerned, or alternatively controlling, and maybe transferring beliefs, or values, with a degree of ‘force’. If we present a ‘childlike ego’ we could be showing a ‘natural’, ‘little professor’ or ‘adaptive child’ approach. ‘All three aspects of the personality have a high survival and living value, and it is only when one or the other of them disturbs the healthy balance that analysis and reorganisation are indicated. Otherwise each of them, Parent, Adult or Child is entitled to equal respect and has its legitimate place in a full and productive life’. (Berne E (2010): Games People Play page 27) Our transactions are how we relate and interact with each other. Understanding these “transactions” and deciphering them, analysing our behaviour, our words, and our feelings, can enable us to avoid becoming entrapped in a particular type of reaction, and constantly replaying the same scene.
The Term Paper on Evaluate the Claim That Person-Centred Therapy Offers the Therapist All That He/She Will Need to Treat Clients
Evaluate the claim that Person-Centred Therapy offers the Therapist all that he/she will need to treat clients. Contents Introduction Carl Rogers. Background and Influences Theoretical Constructs Strengths and Weaknesses Conclusion Notes References Introduction In this essay I will be discussing the viability of Person-Centred Therapy as an exclusive method of treatment for clients. Without an ...
Knowing ourselves better, and how others feel about us, can prevent us from falling into traps, and from frequently reproducing the same errors, and reliving the same situations in our relationships with others. The script is the predetermined way that we behave. We can alter these scripts by positively changing the way that we behave. The game is based on our change from Parent, to adult, to child within given environments and situations. TA is to move toward problem solving, as opposed to avoidance, or passivity, cure as an ideal, rather than merely making progress and learning new choices. The goal is to strengthen the adult state. Secondly, I will explain my understanding of the Gestalt theory. Gestalt therapy is a form of psychoanalysis originally developed by Laura and Fritz Perls, and Paul Goodman in the 1940s. Gestalt therapy suggests that patients must arrive at conclusions and awareness about themselves, for themselves. Gestalt therapy works through interactive observation. A Gestalt therapist would keep track of nonverbal communication as a way of looking at the whole person, not merely the subject the person discusses. It is beneficial for those who find it difficult to release their emotions. ‘Gestalt theory does not rely on study of underlying psychological components, but on what the completed psychological ‘shape’ is and does’.
(www.gestalttheory.com)
The process is based upon the relationship between the therapist and the patient, and the therapist endeavours to bring the client into the present moment, the here and now. ‘Gestalt is an existential/humanistic approach to understanding what it is to be human. It regards the individual as a totality of mind, body, emotions and spirit who experiences reality in a way unique to themselves’. (www.gestaltcentre.co.uk) The past influences the decisions we make here and now, and in Gestalt therapy the past would only be used if brought forward into the present, as a means to solve the problem that presents today. The client needs to accept themselves completely, and address the issues that have influenced their past decisions and actions, and this in turn leads them to a full awareness of themselves. The development starts after the individual acknowledges pain of the past, and only when the person becomes free from fear and nervousness. It is common in Gestalt therapy for the therapist to get the client to talk to an empty chair. The client can then express their concern and bring their unresolved issues from the past into the present, without actually addressing the person that they have the issue with.
The Essay on Parent-Child Relationship
The relationship between parents and their children is perhaps one of the most important relationships among human beings. The relationship between parents and their children can determine the personal growth of children as it can likewise influence the behavioral adjustments needed on the part of parents in order to meet the emotional needs of their children. Max Apple’s “Bridging” highlights how ...
The objective of this therapy is, to help the person to obtain a greater independence in their actions, and the ability to face up to the blockages that prevent them developing naturally. The idea is to replace the concept of blame, with responsibility. Gestalt therapists will typically employ five questions all starting with ‘What do you’….do, feel, want, expect and avoid. This increases the patient/client’s self-awareness, and understanding and helps them to put sense to these answers, and ultimately to put their past ‘behind them’. The case study that I would like to use is a lady who hits 40 years old at the end of this year. She has never been married, and has no children. She would dearly love both, but has had issues with relationships, and seems to select partners that continue to have similarities that make her family feel, and become, estranged from her. However, she cannot see the issues that her family have with her partner, and the family does not openly voice the issues that they have, but rather they choose to ignore her, or treat her with contempt, and assume that she will cope if they ignore, or shun her. She has been severely damaged emotionally by her family’s responses, in particular with her parents, who she felt would always be there for her, whatever her decisions in life.
Due to issues with a long term partner in recent years that went wrong, she was left with huge debt problems, and had to go to her parents and ask for support, to enable her to pay back the debt, which they provided, by allowing her to move back into the family home, without paying any rent. Her parents were clearly relieved that she had made the decision to leave her partner, and at that time supported her, however her new relationship appears to have her parents upset, and ill at ease with her. There is a possibility that the parents believe this man will treat her in a similar way to the other partner, and the new man has no job to support her financially, leaving her parents worried that she may fall into a debt situation again. She has two younger sisters, both with children, one of which is separated from her husband, and this sister will not speak with my lady. This evolved from issues with her husband’s antics, and my lady telling her sister what she had discovered.
The Term Paper on Single parent families 3
Paraphrase: Normally the nuclear family is the ideal family in American society, which consists of a husband, wife, and their children whom they had together. In today’s society there have been some radical changes in the country’s family structures. Most families now are single-parent families. Summary: Over the past couple decades; the choosing of being a single-parent family has become more ...
The sister did not want to hear the accusations and fought for her marriage, to the detriment of her relationship with my lady, her sister. Subsequently they have split up, but she still refuses to communicate with my lady, apparently blaming her for the parting. My lady is very happy in her new relationship and has, in fact, got engaged, with the view to marrying in the coming months. She is also actively trying for a baby. This situation is multi-faceted and complex. My lady has issues with her parents, and her sisters, which are not being openly discussed or resolved. The family do not like her chosen partner, and this is hurtful to my lady. She is affronted that her parents think she is silly enough to follow the same path as she had previously taken with her first partner. As they will not openly discuss all aspects of the issues, my lady is finding it difficult to move forward with her relationship comfortably, and with happiness. Even though her family are treating her poorly she still has a strong emotional tie, and does not want the discord. In Gestalt therapy the therapist’s role is to generate a space for the client to experiment for herself in a sufficiently protected atmosphere, so if I had been in a position to apply the Gestalt therapy to this lady I would have approached it with her by first getting her to bring all of her past issues with her family into the present moment.
I would divide these into separate areas, her mother, her father and then each of her two sisters. I would then look at each area individually with her, and discuss what she would like to change with each of the presenting issues. Generally, in a relationship with another person, we are each subject to a number of conflicts of interest, so there has to be a balance between our needs, and the demands of others. We would need to look at these needs and demands and discuss what she feels would be a reasonable compromise. I would ensure that she keeps to the present tense, and speaks in the first person at all times. We would discuss how she handles the issues within herself, and with them, how it makes her feel at the time, and afterwards, what she wants to achieve from the encounter(s), what she generally expects to be the outcome of the encounter, what variations on the outcome might be, and also what she, or they, consciously chooses to avoid. She needs to be encouraged to bring out any hidden feelings.
The Essay on Parent’s Taking Control of Their Children’s Education
Never before in the United States have parents been so disgruntled about their children’s education. The main reason behind this massive disruption is that public schools are not living up to parent’s standards. Therefore, parents are taking their children’s educations and futures into their own hands, and doing so quite efficiently. Many parents are turning to [“an alternative”] means of ...
Once she has openly admitted all of these things, it may be possible for her to analyse her situation, become aware of her feelings, and to air her concerns, thoughts, and issues, in the safe therapeutic environment, talking to her parents or sisters hypothetically through the ‘empty chair’ idea. She could explain how she feels, and what she wants from them, without fear of any backlash. We could also get her to swop chairs and view her own claims and feelings, and explore how she feels about this, and how she would respond to these. We could also explore her body signals, her posture and other physical sensations, such as her breathing rhythms, to enhance her awareness. We would also need to look at the emotional effect that this situation is having on her. Such issues can often cause great emotional upset and this would need to be handled carefully and gently. She needs to be aware of how body language can affect a situation, and she needs to release negative and harmful internal messages that she harbours. We could then discuss whether she felt that her approach needed to be modified, or indeed whether her requests were reasonable, and how she may approach someone, in a non-aggressive manner, to get her point across, and to get a favourable change to her situation.
This would give her courage, self-awareness and belief in her views, and may help her to apply that procedure or process into a real situation with her family. She needs to understand that she has a personal responsibility to this situation, and has to take control of what is happening. If however, this lady had come to me and I chose to apply a ‘TA’ approach to help her to improve her present situation, initially, I would consider each aspect of her issue individually with her. We would need to look at the presenting issue(s), and how each party interacts with the issue(s).
As her parents appear to be the primary cause for her concern, we should start by looking at the relationship between the lady and her parents. We could then move onto her sisters’, and the further issues, subsequently. We need to identify the ego state, and then evaluate and improve the way it functions. We need to recognise the games being played, and help to stop them, and improve what is, at the moment, a dysfunctional life script. My lady has deep rooted emotional ties with her parents.
The Term Paper on How do the characters of Lady Macbeth and Napoleon change in ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Animal Farm’?
The two texts ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell and ‘Macbeth’ by William Shakespeare both witness change in their characters and ideas. Both Lady Macbeth and Napoleon, two key characters in both of the texts, begin as egotistical, greedy and avaricious. Driven by their cupidity and lust for leadership and power, both characters seek change, but change in very different ways. In this essay, I will be ...
Her parents have concerns about her relationship with her new man. They fear that she is going to fall for the same type of character as previously, and this had ended in a damaging way, both financially and emotionally, so they are looking to protect her. They don’t however openly share their feelings with her, and nor does she with them. We need to look at what state each party adopts when they meet, and we need to look at how the lady can change that state in order for both parties to be able to converse with each other whilst in ‘Adult’ mode, to gain the most positive outcome. Exploration of communication and contact between ‘the therapist and the client’ is essential to allow the lady to recognise where she is sitting in this relationship right now, and then how she can make the changes she requires to improve it. We need to understand and explore what triggers a ‘parent’ or ‘child’ state within the lady, or her parents. Does she equally assign responsibility for the situation between her and her parents? Is she seeking to be in control?
Does she view herself as not being as good as her sisters, perhaps, for example, because she has not given her parents’ grandchildren? We should explore what is happening, is it recurring, how does it start? How does it make her feel, and does it ever change, or end? Once we have established a few details we may be able to consider how this has developed, and how the lady can consider approaching the situation differently. She could consider asking for others in the family to intervene, and help. Appropriate support needs to be considered, and then, when this is decided, the lady needs to take the actions required. It may also be appropriate for her to complete an Egogram. This would show the varying strengths of her ego states at any one time. This could be a useful indicator for her to review, at a later date, the changes she may make, and how those positions may alter, and for her to understand what she has achieved. The first step is to recognise the games being played out, stop them and replace them with direct and honest interactions.
As the therapist I would encourage her to be honest with herself, and with her family, about what she wants to get from this. This may help to encourage ideas on how she can discuss and resolve some of the issues that present themselves. It is essential that we establish a contract between us which will specifically state what is desired, why she wants to make a change, and with whom, and what I am going to work on with her. She also needs to see an end date, or completion. There needs to be clear goals set that are attainable, motivational and realistic and they need to be written in a positive format. The lady needs to know that she has permission to change, and that she should not have fear for trying to achieve these goals. After all, the primary focus of transactional analysis is to empower people with the ability to achieve psychological well-being. In my limited experience as a student counsellor it seems that the Gestalt model is somewhat dated, and is not commonly adopted in counselling environments in the same way that it would have been some forty years ago.
However, there are some aspects of this therapy, for example the empty chair, that could be useful in certain situations, as with my lady and the issue with non-communication with her parents and sisters. She would be able to release her feelings without fear of retribution from her family, and this could give her a sense of relief, and possibly even a kind of closure. Transactional analysis, is a complex therapy, but seems very effective and easy to administer. I feel that the honest and direct approach, and helping the client to understand where they are at and why, is a good structure that is positive and open in its presentation and results.
It is also interactive with other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which focuses on moving the client forward and doing so in a constructive and positive manner. In summary, with my lady I believe that a combination of these two approaches would have helped her significantly to come to terms with where she is at, and where she needs to aim for. I think she would benefit from an honest dialogue with her parents in order for her to put their fears and concerns into context, and also to be able to discuss this with them, and possibly allay their fears. Moving forward with my training and working with my clients, I would seriously consider using ‘TA’ in my work, especially given the open and direct format that it presents. It seems to get to the core of the issue with the client, and helps them to work through their issue, and positively act upon it.
Bibliography
Berne E (2010): Games People Play; London; Penguin Books
Stewart I and Joines V (2005): TA Today; Nottingham and Chapel Hill; Lifespace Publishing Internet
www.functionalfluency.com
www.changingminds.org
www.abc-counselling.com
www.transactional-analysis.info
www.wikipedia.com
www.gestalttheory.com
www.gestaltcentre.co.uk
www.wisegeek.com
