The model of relational TA psychotherapy is based in part upon the book: Transactional Analysis: A Relational Perspective in which the authors, Hargaden and Sills, present a relational model of psychotherapy which reflects the theoretical and methodological changes that have evolved over recent years. This model is influenced by analytic psychology, self psychology, object relations and the work of Rogers.

(Relational TA has emerged as a tradition within TA over the past two decades see Latest News for more details).

This theory involves:

• a structural model of ego states
• an imaginative development of Berne's operations
• a theory of self
• the development of the transferential relationship
  to embrace three domains:
  • the introjective transference
  • the projective transference
  • the transformational transference
• an emphasis upon the subjectivity of the therapist and client.

The emphasis in this type of psychotherapy is upon the dynamics of the transferential relationship and an analysis of the counter transference is crucial to working in this way.

Relational TA psychotherapy:

The 'space' Relational psychotherapy involves two people, the client/patient and the person of the therapist. Together they co-create a relational space in which 'things' happen. The space becomes a type of 'third' person in the room, which both therapist and client use to make meaning and bring about more conscious awareness of the client's psychological material.

The Child Ego State

This is a subtle psychotherapy which involves making psychological targets based upon insights which emerge through the course of the therapy.

For instance it might be that someone discovers that they project a parent or authority figure from the past onto many situations, or that they always identify with the victim in every situation, or that they find it too difficult to tolerate disappointment. Having these insights enables a person to become more conscious of their automatic assumptions and behaviours and engage with their Child within more consciously.

Although often a painful process, one of the positive gains of a more conscious connection with the Child ego state, can be an increased sense of creativity and vitality.

Relational TA group psychotherapy:

This is also based on the transferential relationship in which group members transfer on to each other, the group and the therapist different types of transference, see above. The group at times can provide a self object type of experience for a member in which they feel, held, attended to, mirrored and twinned, as in the introjective transference. As with individual work, this enables the development of a stronger sense of self from which to engage in other types of transferential experiences that are projective and potentially more frightening and painful.

The space in the group is again important and is a type of temenos, or sacred space which allows for the transformation of difficult feelings and painful experiences.

This space is hard to define but is perhaps best understood by the term transitional space as described by Winnicott.

Naturally boundaries are essential, given that group members will engage with their Child ego state, and be involved in an ongoing process of increasing conscious awareness. Classical TA practice of contracting around boundaries is very useful and offers opportunities for discussion about the necessity for such boundaries around the issues of meeting outside of the group, sexual contact and confidentiality.