Transactional Analysis: 100 Key Points and Techniques

393 Pages·2009·1.53 MB·English

by  Mark Widdowson

Transactional Analysis
TransactionalAnalysis(TA)isaversatileandcomprehensivesystemof
psychotherapy.TransactionalAnalysis:100KeyPointssynthesizesdevel-
opments in the field, making complex material accessible and offering
practical guidance on how to apply the theory and refine TA psycho-
therapyskillsinpractice.
Divided into seven manageable sections, the 100 key points cover:
• the philosophy, theory, methods and critique of the main
approaches to TA
• TA perspectives on the therapeutic relationship
• diagnosis, contracting and treatment planning using TA
• a trouble-shooting guide to avoiding common pitfalls
• refining therapeutic skills
As such this book is essential reading for trainee TA therapists, those
preparingforexaminationsaswellasexperiencedpractitionerswhowill
find much practical guidance on the skilful and mindful application of
this cohesive system of psychotherapy.
MarkWiddowsonisaTeachingandSupervisingTransactionalAnalyst
andaUKCPRegisteredPsychotherapist.HeisDirectorofTrainingat
CPTIEdinburgh,AssociateDirectoratTheBerneInstitute,Kegworth
and Senior Lecturer at The Athens Synthesis Centre, Greece. He lives
in Glasgow where he has a private practice, offering supervision and
psychotherapy for individuals and couples.
‘Widdowson has not only produced a book which is essential
reading for anyone interested in contemporary TA, but also
offers a critical reading of TA in the context of the wider and
changing fields of psychotherapy and psychology.’ – Keith
Tudor, Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst; Senior
Lecturer, Department of Psychotherapy, Auckland University of
Technology, Aotearoa New Zealand
‘Consistently stimulating and informative, this book is essential
reading for anyone interested in learning about current
developments in Transactional Analysis theory and practice.
The structure of the book makes it easy to identify ways in
which TA addresses fundamental practice issues, and is highly
accessible both to TA specialists and those trained in other
orientations who are seeking to integrate TA perspectives into
their work with clients.’ – John McLeod, Professor of
Counselling, University of Abertay Dundee
‘Mark Widdowson provides us with a wise and engaging
presentation of contemporary Transactional Analysis in theory
andpractice.Throughoutthistextaretheconstantremindersof
the importance, clinically and ethically, of the therapist’s
necessity to engage in self-examination. While written in the
voice of a psychotherapist, this book has much to offer fellow
professionalsengagedinotheraspectsofhumanrelationswork.’
– William F. Cornell, Independent Private Practice, Pittsburgh,
USA
100 Key Points
Series Editor: Windy Dryden
ALSO IN THIS SERIES:
Cognitive Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques
Michael Neenan and Windy Dryden
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy: 100 Key Points and
Techniques
Windy Dryden and Michael Neenan
Family Therapy: 100 Key Points and Techniques
Mark Rivett and Eddy Street

Transactional Analysis
100 Key Points and Techniques
Mark Widdowson
Firstpublished2010byRoutledge
27ChurchRoad,Hove,EastSussexBN32FA
SimultaneouslypublishedintheUSAandCanada
byRoutledge
270MadisonAvenue,NewYork,NY10016
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2010.

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(cid:216)2010MarkWiddowson
PaperbackcoverdesignbyAndyWard
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereprintedor
reproducedorutilisedinanyformorbyanyelectronic,mechanical,
orothermeans,nowknownorhereafterinvented,including
photocopyingandrecording,orinanyinformationstorageor
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BritishLibraryCataloguinginPublicationData
AcataloguerecordforthisbookisavailablefromtheBritishLibrary
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Widdowson,Mark,1973–
Transactionalanalysis:100keypointsandtechniques/Mark
Widdowson.
p.;cm.
Includesbibliographicalreferences.
ISBN978-0-415-47386-6(hardback)–ISBN978-0-415-47387-3(pbk)
1.Transactionalanalysis.I.Title.
[DNLM:1.TransactionalAnalysis.WM460.6W638t2010]
RC489.T7W532010
616.89'145–dc22
2009014438
ISBN 0-203-86839-0 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN:978-0-415-47386-6(hbk)
ISBN:978-0-415-47387-3(pbk)
Contents
Introduction xiii
Part 1 APPROACHES IN TRANSACTIONAL
ANALYSIS (TA) PRACTICE 1
1 Three modes of therapeutic action 3
2 The classical school: foundations 7
3 The classical school: methods 11
4 The redecision school: foundations 13
5 The redecision school: methods 17
6 The cathexis school: foundations 21
7 The cathexis school: methods 25
8 Radical psychiatry: foundations 29
9 Radical psychiatry: methods 33
10 Integrative TA: foundations 35
11 Integrative TA: methods 39
12 Cognitive-behavioural TA: foundations 43
13 Cognitive-behavioural TA: methods 47
14 Psychodynamic TA: foundations 51
15 Psychodynamic TA: methods 55
16 Relational TA: foundations 57
17 Relational TA: methods 61
vii
CONTENTS
Part 2 THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP 63
18 The initial sessions 65
19 Therapeutic inquiry 69
20 The centrality of empathy 71
21 Accounting for the impact of diversity in the
therapeutic relationship 75
22 Conceptualizing the therapeutic relationship 79
23 Strengthening the working alliance by
attention to tasks, goals and bonds 83
24 Considering Adapted Child responses as
indicators of alliance rupture 87
25 The therapeutic alliance: rupture and repair 89
26 Important TA concepts relating to transference
and countertransference 93
27 The drama triangle as a tool to explore
countertransference 97
28 Transference and countertransference: an
aide-me´moirof TA models 101
29 Ending TA therapy 105
Part 3 DIAGNOSIS 109
30 The importance of observation 111
31 Intake assessment and case formulation 115
32 Assessing suitability for TA therapy 119
33 Using Berne’s four methods of diagnosis 123
34 Applying the four methods of diagnosis 127
35 Developing a conversational interviewing
technique 131
36 Being thorough in structural analysis 135
37 Adding in ego state dialogue to develop
dynamic structural analysis 139
38 Accounting for cultural and religious Parent 143
39 Accounting for oppression 147
40 Levels of script: protocol and script proper 151
41 Identifying structural level 153
42 Building up the script system 155
43 Exploring counterscript 159
44 Analysing games 163
viii
CONTENTS
45 Escape hatches as a framework for
understanding client safety 167
46 Suicidal ideation: a brief introduction 171
47 Diagnosis checklist 175
Part 4 CONTRACTING 181
48 Contracting for the tasks and goals of
therapy 183
49 Contracting: developing ‘lightness of touch’ 187
50 Using a standard written business contract 189
51 Contracting with the unsure client 193
52 Behavioural contracts 195
53 Dealing with resistance or non-compliance
with behavioural contracts 197
54 The ‘good enough’ contract 201
55 Contracting: preparing for conflict and
negative transference 203
Part 5 TREATMENT PLANNING 205
56 Comparative treatment sequences 207
57 Formulating individualized treatment plans 209
58 Monitoring and revising treatment planning 213
59 Psychotherapy as a grieving process 215
60 Treatment sequence: a relational view 219
61 Awareness, spontaneity, intimacy and
autonomy 223
Part 6 AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS 225
62 Being realistic about treatment length 227
63 Avoiding premature contracting 231
64 Avoiding the pitfall of ‘certainty’ 235
65 Reducing the risk of iatrogenic shaming 237
66 Avoiding racket ‘OK-ness’ 241
67 Avoiding marshmallowing 245
68 Teaching TA concepts sparingly 249
ix