About Counselling and Psychotherapy
Although influenced by several schools of therapy, Transactional Analysis is particularly influenced by Psychoanalytic, Gestalt and Cognitive-Behavioural theory and methodology. Transactional Analysis is an effective therapy in helping clients deal with relationships and with problems encountered in everyday living. TA also helps clients deal with problems related to their past. Eric Berne, MD, developed Transactional Analysis from his observations of patterns in people's behaviour and his medical and psychoanalytic studies. His book "Games People Play", published in the US in 1962, received widespread public attention. Since then Transactional Analysis has spread in popularity throughout the world and has been used in many settings. Berne introduced concepts such as "I'm OK-You're OK", "inner child", "life scripts", "strokes" and "games" into therapy and personal growth. Therapists, teachers and coaches are drawn to Transactional Analysis because it offers clear language for understanding human dynamics and effective methods for psychotherapy, education and organisational learning.
Transactional Analysts stress the importance of working with clients in a safe, protective, mutually respectful environment to resolve unhelpful behaviours and establish and reinforce positive relationship styles and healthy functioning. Transactional analysts use many tools of psychotherapy, ranging from psychodynamic to cognitive behavioural methods in effective and potent ways.
Counselling or psychotherapy starts with an initial session in which we discuss your needs and situation in detail, and where you can find out more about my approach to therapy. After the session we may decide to begin working together or I may suggest a specialist agency or colleague. People come to therapy for a variety of reasons related to a difficulty in coping and managing their lives and relationships. Counselling or psychotherapy offers a safe place for you to explore your difficulties and find a way forward. My practice is guided by the underlying assumption that all of us have the tools to be well grounded, reflective, introspective and resilient people. Psychotherapy is often linked to a journey, and indeed it is a journey; one of self- exploration that you can embark on together with your therapist.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling tends to be short term (approximately 12 sessions) and focuses on current life difficulties and problems. Psychotherapy involves longer-term work with psychologically deeper issues relate to the past. It may be apparent during our assessment that you would benefit from longer-term psychotherapy rather than short-term counselling. This may be the case, for example, if your difficulties are more deeply rooted, or if you've been struggling with destructive patterns of behaviour over a long period of time. Therapy provides a safe and confidential setting in which to explore your thoughts, feelings, or behaviours.
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