AT (Transactional Analysis) Course

Lesson 1 • TA in Professional Contexts

Surveys how TA is applied across therapy, coaching, education, and organizations. Anchors abstract theory to real-world professional roles students may occupy.

Lesson 2 • Origins and History of TA

Traces TA from Berne's early work through its formalization as a therapeutic and organizational model. Provides context for why TA principles remain relevant in modern practice.

Lesson 3 • Core Philosophical Assumptions

Examines TA's foundational beliefs about human nature, autonomy, and change. These assumptions underpin every technique introduced later in the course.

Lesson 1 • The Adult Ego State

Defines Adult as the here-and-now data-processing state and distinguishes it from intellectual rationalization. Emphasizes Adult activation as a therapeutic and coaching goal.

Lesson 2 • The Parent Ego State

Explores Controlling and Nurturing Parent subdivisions and their behavioral, affective, and cognitive indicators. Connects Parent content to internalized parental figures.

Lesson 3 • Structural Model of Ego States

Defines Parent, Adult, and Child as distinct psychological structures with unique content and function. Establishes the first-order structural diagram used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosing Ego States

Teaches the four diagnostic criteria: behavioral, social, historical, and phenomenological. Students practice accurate ego-state identification across diverse case examples.

Lesson 1 • Ulterior Transactions and Hidden Agendas

Examines how social-level messages mask psychological-level intentions. Connects ulterior transactions to game theory introduced in a later chapter.

Lesson 2 • Complementary vs. Crossed Transactions

Compares the relational effects of complementary and crossed transactions in depth. Teaches deliberate use of crossed transactions to interrupt unhelpful patterns.

Lesson 3 • Types of Transactions

Introduces complementary, crossed, and ulterior transactions using vector diagrams. Establishes the three rules of communication that govern transactional outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Stroke Theory Fundamentals

Defines strokes as units of recognition and explains their role in psychological survival. Introduces positive, negative, conditional, and unconditional stroke categories.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Profiles and Assessment

Teaches practical tools for mapping an individual's stroke profile and identifying deficits. Connects stroke assessment to goal-setting in coaching and therapeutic contracts.

Lesson 3 • The Stroke Economy

Presents Claude Steiner's stroke economy rules and how they restrict authentic exchange. Students learn to identify and challenge restrictive stroke rules in themselves and clients.

Lesson 1 • Life Positions and Organizational Culture

Applies life position theory to team dynamics, leadership styles, and organizational health. Reveals how collective positions shape culture and performance outcomes.

Lesson 2 • The Four Life Positions

Defines I'm OK–You're OK, I'm OK–You're Not OK, I'm Not OK–You're OK, and I'm Not OK–You're Not OK. Explains how early decisions crystallize into habitual relational stances.

Lesson 3 • Facilitating Position Change

Provides intervention strategies for helping clients move from limiting positions to I'm OK–You're OK. Integrates stroke work and ego-state activation as change mechanisms.

Lesson 1 • Script Matrix and Analysis

Teaches use of the script matrix as a diagnostic tool for mapping message sources. Students practice constructing and interpreting script matrices with case material.

Lesson 2 • Drivers and Miniscript

Covers Kahler's five drivers and the miniscript sequence as moment-to-moment script enactment. Links driver behavior to stress responses and interpersonal friction.

Lesson 3 • Script Theory Foundations

Defines life script as an unconscious life plan decided in childhood and reinforced throughout life. Distinguishes winning, losing, and banal scripts by their trajectory and outcomes.

Lesson 4 • Script Formation and Injunctions

Examines the twelve injunctions and counterinjunctions that form the content of scripts. Traces how parental messages become internalized commands shaping life choices.

Lesson 1 • Games in Group and Team Settings

Extends game analysis to group dynamics, team meetings, and organizational processes. Equips practitioners to facilitate game-free group cultures.

Lesson 2 • The Drama Triangle

Introduces Karpman's Persecutor, Rescuer, and Victim roles and their dynamic switching. Students learn to recognize role entry points and the predictable role shifts that follow.

Lesson 3 • Common Games and Their Payoffs

Surveys frequently encountered games such as NIGYSOB, Kick Me, and Wooden Leg. Analyzes the script reinforcement and stroke collection each game provides.

Lesson 4 • Game Interruption Strategies

Teaches practical methods for stepping out of games without escalation or withdrawal. Covers option theory, crossed transactions, and the Winner's Triangle as alternatives.

Lesson 1 • The TA Contracting Model

Defines the three-cornered and four-cornered contract and its role in ethical TA practice. Establishes contracting as the foundation for all professional TA engagements.

Lesson 2 • Supervision and Continuing Development

Covers the role of supervision in TA practice and frameworks for ongoing professional growth. Connects supervision to ethical accountability and practitioner self-care.

Lesson 3 • Working with Impasses

Identifies first-, second-, and third-degree impasses as layers of script resistance. Teaches graduated intervention strategies matched to each impasse level.

Lesson 4 • Integrating TA with Other Modalities

Explores how TA complements person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and somatic approaches. Enables practitioners to use TA as a flexible meta-framework rather than a rigid system.