Redecision Therapy Transactional Analysis Principles Combined with Gestalt Techniques By Liz Gregory

What is Redecision Therapy? An interactional and contractual approach to assist members with gaining freedom from their restrictive life scripts  Developed in the early 1960’s by Robert Goulding M.D. and Mary Goulding M.S. W.  Combined their interest in Transactional Analysis (TA) principles developed by Eric Berne along with Gestalt techniques designed by Fritz Perls.

Historical Background of TA  It is a theory of personality and an extension of psychoanalysis designed for group treatment.  To bring to light our cognitive decisions that govern our behavior.  Berne concluded our early childhood experiences influence our present day decisions.  Rationale for Group Approach : 1.Awareness 2.Yield information about personal plan for life 3.Bring past issues into present with members representing family members.

Key Concepts Bernes Model of Transactional Analysis  It is our “ego states” that write our life scripts. P-A-C  P= PARENT EGO: These are the values, morals, beliefs and rules you learn for living life~ “shoulds” and “oughts.”  Nurturing P= Affirm others but could be a “marshmellow”  Controlling P= Structured to create success but could be critical  A= ADULT EGO: This is the non-emotional, objective, data processor of personality.  C=CHILD EGO: This is the original and most natural of who we are; feelings, impulses. Used to form long lasting relationships.  Natural C= Endearing, loving  Adapted C= Respond appropriately in social situations

Key Concepts Continued  Strokes: Any act of recognition or source of stimulation  Verbal, nonverbal, unconditional (being), conditional (doing), positive or negative.  Injunctions & Counterinjunctions: Parents issue these messages in a nonverbal format  These internalized “do’s and don’ts, should’s and shouldn’ts” one has accepted as a child.  Each of us decides how we will accept them.  Decisions and Redecisions: Address decisions made in response to injunctions and counterinjunctions. People can change by “redeciding in the moment.”  Reexperience~ “As you speak, how old are you? What are you feeling?”  Relive in here and now  Change outcome and practice

Games People Play  Games: An ongoing series of transactions that ends with a negative payoff called for by the script that concludes the game and advances some way of feeling badly.  3 Elements 1.Complementary transactions that on surface seem plausible. 2.Ulterior transaction that is the hidden agenda. 3.A negative payoff that concludes game and is real purpose of game.  3 Positions 1.Persecutor 2.Rescuer 3.Victim

Life Positions and Life Scripts  4 Basic Life Positions 1.I’m OK- You’re OK.~ game free 2.I’m OK- You’re not OK. ~ blaming game 3.I’m not OK- You’re OK. ~ depressive, powerless game 4.I’m not OK- You’re not OK. ~ futility and despair game  Life Script 1.No Love 2.No Mind 3.No Joy  Script Analysis ~ explore how we acquired a particular script and discuss alternative life choices.  Life Script Questionnaire

Script Questionnaire Example  SCRIPT QUESTIONNAIRE: These questions are designed to gain information from the client which enables the therapist to construct a picture of both the messages which were passed onto the child and the decisions which the child made.  1. Imagine your mother sitting front of you and saying: “I am happy with you when you.....”  2. Do the same for your father.  3. When you were little, what was it about you that most upset or scared your mother?  4. When your mother lets you know that she does not like you being like this, what do you feel?  5. What do you do when you feel like this?  6. What was it about you that most upset or scared your father?  7. How do you feel when he lets you know this?  8. What do you do when you feel like this?  9. What phrase or sentence describes your mother and her life best?  10. What phrase or sentence describes your dad and his life best?

Group Leader’s Roles  Teacher/ Observer~ Explain structural analysis, script analysis and game analysis.  Consultant~ Mutual allies in the therapeutic process; assist with creating contractual agreements.  Facilitator~ Motivate and encourage members to fulfill contracts; assist with acquiring the necessary tools for change.  Challenger~ To challenge members to experiment with more effective ways of being.

Stages of a Transactional Analysis Group  Initial Stage~  Quality of the relationship.  Get to the heart of the matter.  “What are you going to change about yourself today?”  Treatment Contract~ State intentions and set personal goals; how and when these goals are to be met. Developed in steps and should be open to revision.  Key Question~ “How will you and I know when you get what you are coming to the group for?”  Working Stage~  Explore life scripts and analyze games.  Recall and re-experience in Child ego state.  Role reversal, future projection…  Challenged to claim responsibility and power.  Final Stage~  Tell new story.  Verbal and non-verbal stroking; support in and outside of group; explore consequences.

Application of TA in Schools  Structured approach is easily understood by children of all ages.  Allows children and adolescents to see connections between what they learned in their family and how they currently treat others.  Understand concept of strokes- “warm fuzzy” or “cold prickly.”  Goal is to facilitate insight so able to assume increased control of their thoughts.

Multicultural Populations  Contract safeguards against therapist’s imposing their cultural values.  Appealing because of it’s direct and educational approach to personal development.  Egalitarian and empowering approach is positive factor for women.  Assists in exploring the influence gender socialization has had on a person’s life script.

Contributions and Strengths of Transactional Analysis and Redecision Therapy  Conceptual framework for understanding reason behind early decisions and how they relate to present self-defeating life scripts.  Members are invested both cognitively and emotionally.  Contracts equalize the power base between leader and members.  Brief, focused, structured psycho-educational approach.  Uses a variety of techniques that appeal to a number of populations.  Business  Prison Inmate  Drug Rehab

Limitations  Lack of empirical validation.  Could lean primarily on cognitive awareness.  Using labels (ego states) and contracts may take away from genuine contact.

References  Corey, G. (2008). Theory and Practice of Group Counseling. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.  Elliott, K. & M. (2011, May 27 th ). Re: Transactional Analysis: Bernes’ TA’s Study Notes. Retrieved from  For further information on Transactional Analysis:  Goulding, R. (1997). Changing Lives Through Redecision Therapy.  Berne, Eric. (1996). Games People Play: The Basic Handbook on Transactional Analysis.  Steiner, C. (1974). Scripts People Live: Transactional Analysis of Life Scripts