TA Training

Psychotherapy Training, Counselling Training, Transactional Analysis Training, TA101 in Leeds, West Yorkshire

101 course coming up

What to expect on psychotherapy training

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Fish jumpingIf you are considering a career change to working as a psychotherapist this post is for you.  You will find out what to expect on psychotherapy training and particularly transactional analysis training.

Firstly, there are different approaches to training.

Types of  Psychotherapy Training Course

The academic model in a university is different to an apprenticeship or competency-based model. Both models are based on meeting requirements.  These will be a mixture of demonstrating competency, attaining certain skills and meeting specific requirements.

An academic model the training is driven by academic years or a set timescale.  With this approach students/trainees are tasked with achieving skills and  completing tasks within a set time-frame.  In an apprenticeship models of training the meeting of the requirements are not linked to a specific timescale.  The latter model can offer a great deal of flexibility in the process towards the goal of qualification.

The length of time of training and the emphasis on theory teaching and clinical practice can vary according to the modality or type of psychotherapy being studied.  In general however there are five main areas to think about.  Thinking about what to expect on psychotherapy training, the first area is learning about theory or studying a psychological model.

A Psychological Model

A psychological model or modality of psychotherapy is usually a set of theories and ideas about people and their psychology.  Transactional analysis psychotherapy has theories about personality structure, child development, communication and relationship, groups. It also has set of theories about psychopathology.  In more straightforward language,  theory about how psychology can be problematic and mean that people have difficulties in living their lives.  It is important in considering which training to choose that the model you select holds some fundamental truths for you.  It needs to “makes sense” to you, so that you are studying a model that is congruent with your beliefs and values about people and how they function.  In studying a psychological model the tasks will be to learn and understand the key theoretical concepts that are are part of the theory, and to understand how to apply them in working with clients.

Clinical practice – Seeing clients under supervision

The second aspect of training is that of gaining experience in working with clients. This is always done under supervision by a more experienced therapist.

Before seeing clients, trainees are usually asked to demonstrate that they can use counselling skills effectively to problem solve in a counselling situation.  You will also need to show that you have a general foundation level of understanding of TA.  Then you will begin to offer counselling and psychotherapy to your own clients.  Most people usually beginning with two of three clients a week and build this slowly.  You will attend supervision and play tapes to your supervisor of you working with your clients. Sometimes you will simply discuss the work you are doing.  Supervision is a teaching and learning activity for the development of the trainee’s skill and competence in clinical work.

Personal Therapy – developing understanding of self, self-awareness and reflexivity.

Personal therapy and personal development is another key aspect of the training to work as a psychotherapist because self-awareness and self-knowledge are important qualities in an effective practitioner.  Many courses will have a requirement for trainees to engage in a period of personal therapy.  Some courses will require that therapy is for the duration of training.  The purpose of therapy is to provide a significant experience of therapy.  The therapist needs to have experienced therapy that is similar to the work they will be doing. Personal therapy is also for the support of the practitioner because the work can have an emotional and psychological impact.  Working through one’s own personal psychological material helps us to be able to effectively work with others.  Finally a good psychotherapist will have a consistent and robust habit of reflection because it supports their ongoing development and learning.

So, in addition to studying theory and seeing clients, what else can you expect on psychotherapy training?

Professional development

Even as a trainee once you begin seeing clients part of your development is to begin to develop your own specific areas of interest. Some of this might be in the form of specific shorter training. It might also be through reading, workshops, conferences and supervision.  There are a variety of activities that can fall in to this category and all are about how you choose to develop your interests as a practitioner.  So examples of what this might look like could be developing an interest in another modality perhaps CBT or EMDR.  It might be about working with a specific client group or a particular way of working for example outdoor therapy.

Mental health placement

Part of the requirement for psychotherapists in the uk is to be familiar with the management and treatment of mental health in the uk because there will be times when you may need to refer clients on to other professionals.   The mental health placement will involve you meeting a variety of people. Including  service users with more severe mental health problems, staff who work with people in this area and gaining an understanding of the services available and approaches used.

Next Steps?

Training to work as a psychotherapist involves a wide education including the development of theoretical knowledge and understanding, broad clinical experience and personal development through self-awareness and self-knowledge. It is about developing as a professional with all the experience, skill, ethical awareness and responsibility that entails, along with the rich rewards of a stimulating and rewarding field of work.

Now you have a better ideas about what to expect on psychotherapy training what are the next steps?

Introduction to TAA TA101 is a great way to experience studying a psychological model, go to our events page to check out the next date. Or read about this two day course here.

Our Foundation Certificate course is a one year part time course which is also the first year of our clinical training. Read more here.

Or, if you would like to find out more about this type of training and career then we offer free informal chat with one of our trainers.  Contact us on contact@tatraining.org to arrange a time and date.

Evening Seminar Programme Launches in Buxton

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The Old Hall Hotel

Our seminar programme in Leeds has been a wonderful success. From January 2019 we will be running a similar programme of informal CPD and networking events in Buxton. These will be taking place at the Old Hall Hotel in Buxton.  The events offer support to practitioners by providing a forum for learning and socialising.  Taking advantage of the beautiful quiet peaceful location in the Peak District these events are for mental health workers, youth workers, social workers, teachers, counsellors, therapists and trainees.  Our Buxton CPD Seminars and are an opportunity to meet up once every other month for a social and professional evening.

We will be inviting speakers to come along and present for an hour and a half on a subject in which they are interested.  You will have opportunity both before and after the event for networking and socialising. We provide some light refreshments including hot and cold drinks.  Sign up to our mailing list to get your invitations to these events.

The Buxton Seminars are on a Tuesday evening once every other month.  They run from 6pm until 8pm.  Arrive for 6pm, the seminar starts at 6.15pm and goes on for an hour and a half, leaving time at the end for networking and socialising.

Dates for the seminars are:

January 22nd, March 19th, May 21st, July 16th, September 17th and November 26th at The Old Hall Hotel the oldest hotel in England.

The Old Hall Hotel
The Square
Buxton
Derbyshire
England
SK17 6BD

The cost is £15 per event, the fee covers the cost of room hire and refreshments.  Any money remaining at the end of the year will be donated to a local charity.

Open Day – Train as a Psychotherapist

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So, you think you might want to begin psychotherapy training?

Clinical trainingCareer Change

You probably have lots of questions as you think about making this potential career change with psychotherapy training. TA Training Organisation are having an Open Day on Saturday 21st July 10.30am until 1pm for prospective trainees.  You can come along, see the training centre, meet us and ask any questions before taking the step of applying.

For many people psychotherapy training  is a career change.  Making such a significant life change we thought it might be helpful for people to meet us prior to applying are so that you can find out if psychotherapy might be the career for you.  Psychotherapy is often a second career for people particularly in the UK.  For example, Lin had a 20 year successful career in sales and marketing before she set up her private practice.  Andy worked in hotels and schools in management positions.

Open Day

What is the plan for the Open Day? Here are some of the items on our agenda.

We will be talking about the kind of person who trains to be a therapist and what some of the longer-term career options look like that are available.

We will also talk about what is involved in training to be a therapist.  Learning about theory which involves studying a psychological model.  We will outline some of the requirements that are involved outside of the taught elements. For example, seeing clients, having supervision and your own personal therapy.

There will be some thoughts from us on the different kinds of training that is available.  We will talk about the difference between going to a university  or attending a smaller training institute owned, run and managed by practising psychotherapists.

We will tell you about the training course we offer at TA Training Organisation in Horsforth, Leeds.  Our ethos and philosophy and what it would be like to train with us now – group sizes, facilities available.

Finally, both Lin and Andy will do a short teach on a TA topic to give you a taste of the type of thing you can expect on the programme we run.

Book Your Place

This is a great opportunity to find out more and get your questions answered if you are thinking about this career change.  Reserve a place on the Open Day now and we look forward to meeting you soon.

If you would like to come along, please do get in touch and let us know you are attending by booking a ticket using the button below – so we can make sure we allow enough time for your questions.

Book Tickets

What to Expect on the TA 101

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What might you expect on the TA101?

The TA 101 is known as the “official introduction” to transactional analysis.  What does official introduction mean? If you are thinking about coming on the course, carry on reading.

Transactional Analysis Theory

Well, first it means that you will be covering some of the key concepts in transactional analysis. You will then look at applying those transactional analysis concepts to yourself and your relationships.  You will gain insight into how you might be able to change some of your internal and external communications to gain more positive outcomes.

We begin with simple fun exercises to help the group to settle and get to know each other.  Feeling relaxed and comfortable is important in helping people to learn. The main format of the teaching is to present one of the models, followed by looking at real life examples.  Then you will engage in reflective exercises. These are mostly in small groups, applying the theory to yourself to see what you can learn about yourself.

Over the two days you will look at the underlying principles of transactional analysis.  You will consider what these then mean in practice and apply them to yourself. You will also look at 9 key theoretical models in transactional analysis.

When you have completed the 2 days, you will receive a certificate from UKATA, the UK branch of the European Association  for TA.

Informal Training

The style of the training is very informal.  We use lots of real life examples to help you understand the material.  The course is relevant to lots of different job roles.  For example  you might be a counsellor looking to develop an understanding of TA to use in your clinical work.  You might be a  teacher wanting ways to increase your effectiveness at work through understanding parents and children.  Or you might be from the world of business and coaching  wanting ways to understand staff better and improve performance at work.  For all these different roles Lin and Andy will look to find examples and applications of theory that are relevant to your work setting.

Counselling Training

If you are thinking of training as a counsellor or therapist then this course is a brilliant first step.  We will introduce you to what it is like to study a psychological model. It looks at what that means in practice and provide you a basic understanding of how TA is applied in a counselling or therapy setting.  It’s a great way to see if counselling training might be for you.

So, if you are interested in learning more about what makes people tick and some of the reasons why we do what we do then the TA 101, the official introduction to transactional analysis is a great course to really get some insight and the answers to these questions.

Favourite Quotes and Ideas about Ego State Theory

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child ego state

Ego state theory is one of the models in TA theory I use regularly in my work with clients and in supervision.  It’s one of the ideas in TA that immediately resonates with clients. In its simplest form it is easy to understand and apply to self with some degree of accuracy.  In this post I thought I would share some of my favourite quotes, definitions and ideas about ego state theory.

As many of you will know Eric Berne’s background was as a psychoanalyst and psychiatrist. His work means that  transactional analysis theory has a psychoanalytic heritage.  Berne was familiar with the work of ego psychologists Fairbairn and Federn. They were writing about ego states in the 1950’s.

Berne’s significant contribution to ego state theory was that ego states are being experienced internally. In addition, categories of ego states have specific sets of behaviours that are consistent with these internal states. By observing patterns in behaviour, the therapist can begin to form a view of the ego state of the person.

Definitions, Quotes and a Few Important Terms

“Exteropsyche,neopsyche, and archaeopsyche are regarded as psychic organs. And which manifest themselves phenomenologically as exteropsychic (e.g. identificatory), neopsychic (e.g. data processing), and archaeopsychic (e.g. regressive) ego states.  These types of ego states are referred to as Parent, Adult, and Child.” Berne (1961 p23)

Transactional analysis’ psychoanalytic roots can be seen in this quote where Berne is referring to psychic organs. These are a metaphor or a way of describing a psychological or mental process. Mental processes which then show themselves in what he describes as Parent Adult Child.

Ego states:

“are coherent systems of thought and feeling manifested by corresponding patterns of behaviour.”  Berne (1974)

This particular quote highlights the link between behaviour as something that corresponds to a pattern of thinking and feeling. Therefore, if we begin to identify patterns in behaviour we can begin to understand the thinking and feeling.  This idea helps us begin to identify discrete psychological processes linked to stimuli.

Parent Ego State

A Parental ego state is a set of feelings, attitudes and behaviour patterns which resemble a parental figure.” (1961 p75)

“Parent is exhibited in two forms, direct and as an influence.” Berne (1964)

This idea of the Parent ego state as an influence, is highlighting that when the Child ego state is cathected there will be a part of Parent that is also active in the form of an influence.  An internally experienced replay of an aspect of Parent, possibly offering helpful structure or nurture or in the negative aspects of Parent, control and criticism.

“Parent ego states are an actual historical internalisation of the personality of one’s own parents or other significant parental figures as perceived by the child at the time of introjection.” Erskine (2003 p89)

Erskine is offering the view  that Parent content at the moment of introjection is as perceived by Child. This explains the punitive, critical and sometimes frightening nature of the content of Parent ego state.

Adult Ego State

“The Adult ego state is characterised by an autonomous set of feelings, attitudes, and behaviour patterns which are adapted to the current reality.” Berne (1961 p76)

“When in the Adult ego, a person is in full contact with what is occurring in a manner appropriate to that developmental age.  This neopsychic (current mind) function of the ego accounts for and integrates: 1) what is occurring moment-by-moment internally and externally, 2) past experiences and their resulting effects, and 3) the psychological influences and identifications with other significant people in one’s life.” Erskine (2003)

The idea of the integrating function. Adult draws on Parent and Child content and sifts it for usefulness and applicability in the current reality.

Child Ego State

“The Child ego state is a set of feelings, attitudes and behaviour pattern which are relics of the individual’s own childhood.” (Berne 1961 p77)

“Each person carries within a little boy or little girl, who feels, thinks, acts, talks, and responds just the way he or she did when he or she was a child of a certain age.” Berne (1974 p31)

“a system linked to the organisation of instinctual drives, basic needs and primary emotional experiences” (Tudor2002 p10)

Introjection.  Process of identification and internalisation of the experience of another including perceived thoughts feeling and behaviours.

Berne talked of Child as being about primary process, a psychoanalytic term used by Freud and as Tudor describes above instinctual needs and drives.

Contamination

Contamination of Ego states occurs when the solidity of the barrier around the Adult ego state breaks down and beliefs from the either the Parent or Child ego states, or both “contaminate” Adult ego state functioning. I.e. the person is using thoughts/feelings and experience from either Parent or Child to problem solve in the present without reality testing their relevance, accuracy and applicability.  This means that the Integrating function of the Adult is affected by unfiltered content.

Executive

Identifies the ego state that is the one that is in control. That is where the majority of the person’s energy is. It is also the ego state which is dictating the patterns of thinking feeling and behaviour.

What this hinting at is that we are rarely ever completely in only one ego state.  Often even though in the main it is the Adult ego state that is cathected, content in Child and Parent might be active. An example of all three ego states being active whilst the Adult remains in the executive:

Being asked to give a speech at the National TA Conference, I may be feeling a whole range of things:

  • confident and well prepared to speak in public
  • I will also be experiencing my Parent ego state giving me messages about “always getting things right”.
  • I can also, and at the same time, be nervous and scared.

So, these are some of my favourite quotes and ideas – what are yours?  What aspect of ego state theory do you make most of in your practice?  I’d love to hear from you.

And, if these ideas are new to you and you’ve found them useful then maybe you’d like to find out more.  Our TA101 course is a first introduction to TA and is a great beginning .

Supervision and Professional Development Days

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We are really excited about our next new project here at TA Training Organisation.   We are going to be offering a series of Supervision and Professional Development days over the next few months.  The purpose of these new sessions is to offer professionals, both qualified and unqualified, the chance for transactional analysis supervision and continuing professional development.

A new venture

This is a new venture for Andy and me and comes out of a few over coffee discussions, as we have been talking to colleagues, supervisees and trainees, researching and reflecting on else we might support qualified counsellors, therapist and trainees in the Yorkshire area with interesting transactional analysis training and development.

We will run an open agenda day where the topics for the day together are decided by the group at the beginning of each day. This could be a mixture of classic supervision of client work, professional development issues, teaching of theory, personal process time, preparation for CTA or Diploma examinations and ethical and professional practice questions.  The list goes on!

Here’s a typical example of what a day might comprise.

 

Topic Main Training Room Topic Room 4
Group Introductions and agenda Andy and Lin
Case Supervision Andy Ethics Discussion Lin.
Morning break
Theory Teach on Personality Adaptations. Andy and Lin
Case supervision Andy Case Supervision Lin
Lunch
Diploma Exam discussion Andy Case supervision and tape Lin
Discussion of contracting Andy Case Supervision
Afternoon break
Case Supervision Andy Mock CTA Exam Lin.
Check out. Andy and Lin.

With a small group (less than eight people) either Andy or I will take the group with 8 people or more and we will both be present.We take a list of topics and requests at the beginning of the day and then develop the programme. Attendees are welcome to attend whichever session they wish.

“Drop in”

These will be “drop in” groups, you can sign up for just one day or for the whole programme.  Depending on the interest for the rest of this academic year we hope to run these sessions on an ongoing basis meeting once every two months for a day together.

We wanted to offer professionals not qualified in transactional analysis the opportunity of supervision and further development beyond the TA 101 and year one to support them in using transactional analysis in their practice with clients and to be supported in so doing and TA trainees will be able to count hours of supervision according to UKATA and EATA guidelines.

So, if you think this might be something you would like to experience the first session begins in the new year on Friday 5th February, click here to go to more information, if you’d like to find out more please Contact Us with any questions.  Or click on the dates below to go directly to Eventbrite and online booking.

Friday 5th February

Friday 15th April

Friday 10th June

Working with Ego States

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Ego State Model The ego state model is one of the models in transactional analysis I frequently draw on in working with my clients.  It’s also one of the models I share most directly with people I am working with as it is easily accessible and applied to self.

Ego States in Depth

However, for me,  this is not the most useful aspect of this piece of theory.  I many ways I think Berne’s theory of ego states – Parent Adult and Child suffers from being so readily accessible as people often stop with this first understanding that there are three parts to the personality a Parent, Adult and Child part and go no further into the wealth of theoretical understanding that can come from looking at the model in greater depth, in how Berne also used the model to look at the early stages of child development, how he integrated ideas from object relations, how transgenerational and cultural messages might be part of the ego state structure.

Using Ego States in Practice

I make great use of these ideas, they help inform how I understand my client and also the direction I take with them in the work.  One of the key tasks in transactional analysis psychotherapy is to help clients to identify when they are functioning from Child or Parent and to facilitate them in moving to Adult. Alongside this is the task of working with the content of ego state messages to help the person identify if these messages are useful in their life of if they need updating. We have a variety of approaches and methods of doing this and I’m looking forward to running a workshop on the Friday the 9th of October that will be looking at the model in greater depth and some of the techniques that can be used.

More information on the course can be found here.

You can book directly via our venue The Horsforth Centre. 

What is the TA101?

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Transactional Analysis

Introduction to TAThe TA101 is the official introductory course in transactional analysis.  So, if you want to understand yourself, or your relationships better whether at home or at work the TA101 can often provide with insight and understanding through two days of interesting theory, discussions, and personal development exercises.

If you are thinking you might like to train as a counsellor the TA101 can be a good course to attend as it introduces you what it might be like to study a psychological model.  For existing counsellors the TA101 can be great CPD and provide new insights into clients and new and different effective ways of working

Whether you are in business or sales, the hotel trade, a teacher of children or adults, a mental health or social worker, working the in the prison service or in a hospital the TA101 can help with understanding self and relationships in new and useful ways.  It’s for anyone who wants to know more about themselves either for using on a personal basis or in a work setting.  You don’t need previous psychological knowledge or understanding as the course starts from the very beginning.

Eric Berne

Transactional Analysis was developed by Eric Berne in the 1950s and 1960s, he wrote 8 major books and numerous articles.  He was a trained medical doctor and psychiatrist and he wanted to make psychotherapy effective more quickly and more accessible for people.  He wanted to remove the distance between client or patient, and doctor as expert.  He encouraged people to engage with and use the theory for themselves. Because of this TA uses normal everyday language and is easily accessible and understood.

The course is dynamic mixture of formal teaching where the trainer will present an idea or concept from TA and lots of discussion in large and small groups as the delegates on the course apply it to themselves and their situations.

The syllabus is set internationally and covers the key ideas and concepts in TA in a short two day programme.  Those people who then want more can go on the study TA in-depth which begins with a one year introductory course and can lead to a post graduate Diploma and the Certificate in Transactional Analysis which is a worldwide qualification and is at Masters Level.

Lin teaches two TA101’s a year at TA training Organisation and she says “ I really like teaching this material, it’s a fabulous experience as a trainer to see people learning about TA for the first time and understanding themselves and their relationships with other people in ways they have not done so before.”

What people say about the TA101

“A very informative course and hadn’t realised how much it would benefit my own life” Annie J

An excellent course; incredibly informative, intense and enjoyable.  Lin Cheung’s knowledge and experience is enhanced by her warmth.  I learnt a huge amount of new knowledge to apply to my own life and my clients.  Most highly recommended.” CLH

Setting up in Private Practice.

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Here is another in my series of tips and how to’s. This time I have turned my thoughts to when I set up in private practice and all the things I know now, that I wish I had known when I first started. So, if you are beginning in private practice here are some ideas that I hope will be useful.

Geographical location. I think this is hugely important and is not necessarily as simple as practicing from where you live. The key question to answer is: does your current location offer enough opportunities for you to build a sustainable practice? It may not be as simple as “I’m in a large city or town so yes” because whilst there may potentially be a lot more people looking for counselling and therapy in a large city there will also be more therapists practicing. The opposite of course is also true, in a smaller town there may be less competition but will there be enough work to sustain you. Doing some quick research to look at how many therapists are listed in your area and the population size may help in making your decision.

Continuing on the subject of place – will you practice from home or will you rent premises? There are advantages and disadvantages to both, practical, financial and therapeutic. In your home the practical and financial advantages are that you have pretty much complete control over your environment and if you have suitable space, this can be a very cost effective and flexible option. From a personal perspective you might like to consider the impact having a steady stream of clients coming into your personal space may have. How you will manage the divide between the personal and work? You may also wish to consider some of the implications for the nature of the therapeutic relationship of having clients in your home and seeing aspects of your life they might not necessarily know about if you were renting premises.

In choosing rented accommodation versus home some of the things you might also like to take into consideration are ease of access to your planned location; for example the availability of public transport and parking, your contract with your landlord and if you situated in an area where people can afford to pay for private psychotherapy.
What areas of work will you provide? Will you specialise in a particular area or niche in your practice, some therapists focus on bereavement, or couples work. Have you a particular area of skill or interest, if you can offer something unique in your area, that may put your services in demand because of your specialist expertise.

What are you intending to charge for your services? What does the level at which you are pitching your pricing say about how you are valuing what you have to offer. It can be useful to see what other counsellors and therapists charging by including this in your research. A comparison with what others are charging can be useful and give you a sense of market value in your area. Being too expensive in comparison may deter people as well as being too cheap.
Marketing and how you will promote your business is another substantial question and one I will write more about in future articles.

Finally – insurances. You will need both public liability and professional indemnity insurance and if working from home check to see if your what house insurance policy says about working from home.