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Transactional analysis for therapists: training, videos and associations

Transactional analysis (TA) is a theory of personality and a method of psychotherapy and counselling developed by the psychiatrist Eric Berne. It describes the psyche through three ego states (Parent, Adult, Child) and works with transactions, games and life scripts.

The method in short

Founder
Eric Berne, psychiatrist; he founded the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA) in 1964
Fields of certification
Psychotherapy, counselling, education, organisations
Introductory course
TA 101, at least 12 hours; required before further training
Certification
Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA) through written and oral exams; the route usually takes at least four years

Primary sources: ITAA: about the association, ITAA: training and certification, EATA: introductory course (TA 101)

We give you information and answer for how we select it. Check terms, prices and dates with the organiser.

Transactional Analysis training

We do not run courses. Each programme has a link to the organiser and a check date.

ITAA, USA

Training and certification: TA 101 to CTA and TSTA

The association’s own route into the profession: the TA 101 course, then advanced training in one of four fields (counselling, education, organisational, psychotherapy), then written and oral exams for Certified Transactional Analyst. The page says this usually takes at least four years and asks for a minimum of 2,000 hours before the oral exam.

Format
Courses by endorsed trainers, exams run by ITAA
Language
English
For
A completed TA 101 course is the entry point; each country’s rules for practising TA apply

Listed byITAA (issues the CTA certification)

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

EATA, Europe

Introductory Course (TA 101)

The European association’s description of the introductory course: at least twelve hours on the basic concepts of TA, delivered through presentation, practical exercises and discussion. Participants receive an EATA certificate, and the course is required for further training in TA. The page lists no providers or dates.

Format
See each provider
Language
English
For
No entry requirements stated; required before further TA training

Listed byEATA (issues the TA 101 certificate)

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

UKATA, United Kingdom

UKATA Registered Training Establishments

The UK association’s list of training centres that offer a four-year programme endorsed by UKATA to meet UKCP requirements, with a map of locations. UKATA says it does not run training itself and tells trainees to check the accreditation and qualification attached to a course before registering.

Format
See each training centre
Language
English
For
Set by each training centre

Listed byUKATA register of training establishments

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

The Berne Institute, Kegworth, UK

MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy

A master’s degree validated by Middlesex University. Students follow the institute’s TA psychotherapy training (ten weekends a year), whose final written and oral exams for the CTA are also the final exams for the MSc; the page puts the taught course at four or five years.

Format
Part-time, weekend teaching
Language
English
For
Professionals who want a higher degree in TA; new applicants usually start in the Foundation Year, and all admissions are by interview

Listed byUKATA Registered Training Establishment

Organiser’s siteChecked: November 1, 2026

How to choose a programme

  • Recognition. A professional association registry or an accredited provider list.
  • Practice. Hours under supervision and live discussion of your own cases.
  • Teachers. Experience in this particular method.
  • Outcome. A certificate, a path to certification or only knowledge.
  • Entry. Whether you need a base qualification and proof of practice.

Transactional Analysis videos

All videos on methods

Ego state structures and their significance for psychotherapy - Ravi Welch

Channel: EATA association · Checked: November 1, 2026

Interview filmed at the 2019 EATA conference: Ravi Welch explains his view on ego states, talks about how he came to TA in 1972 and about the future of TA.

Open on YouTube ↗

How we encourage autonomy in different fields of TA - Julie Hay

Channel: EATA association · Checked: November 1, 2026

Interview filmed at the 2019 EATA conference: Julie Hay looks at the similarities and differences in how TA is applied by psychotherapists, coaches, counsellors, consultants and educators.

Open on YouTube ↗

From the Intrapsychic to the Systemic - evolving ethical thinking. Third Ethics Webinar

Channel: ITAA · Checked: November 1, 2026

Webinar of the ITAA Ethics Committee, 27 October 2022, with guest Karen Minikin. It asks what happens when we face an ethical dilemma or complaint, and looks at intrapsychic, interpersonal, institutional and systemic dynamics in ethics theory and policy.

Open on YouTube ↗

Transactional Analysis associations and institutes

Practitioner registries, training standards, conferences. The links go to official sites; the descriptions are ours.

international

ITAA, International Transactional Analysis Association

Professional membership body founded by Eric Berne in 1964, with over 1500 members from 60 countries. Sets training and certification standards (exams are run through its International Board of Certification), publishes the Transactional Analysis Journal and holds an annual conference.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

international

EATA, European Association for Transactional Analysis

Brings together national and regional TA associations, publishes the training and examination handbook, keeps an exam calendar and a list of affiliated associations by country.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

United Kingdom

UKATA, UK Association for Transactional Analysis

EATA-affiliated UK body. Keeps a list of registered training establishments and a practitioner directory, runs a national conference and does not provide training itself.

Official siteChecked: November 1, 2026

Transactional Analysis questions

How do I choose a TA training?

Start with a TA 101 course: EATA describes it as at least twelve hours, and ITAA says it must be run by an endorsed trainer (a PTSTA, a TSTA or a CTA endorsed as a TA 101 instructor). For longer programmes, UKATA advises trainees to check the accreditation and the qualification attached to a course before registering.

How is TA different from psychoanalysis and CBT?

TA has its own set of concepts: ego states, transactions, games and life scripts. A master’s programme description from HSE University in Moscow says the classical school of TA is based on a combination of psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioural methods, and that other schools developed later.

How long does it take to become a Certified Transactional Analyst?

ITAA says the route usually takes at least four years. After TA 101 the trainee signs a contract with a principal supervisor and with ITAA’s certification board, passes a written exam (a case study) and then an oral exam; the oral exam is open after a minimum of 2,000 hours.

Do I need a degree or a licence for a TA training?

It depends on the country and the provider. UKATA states there is no entry requirement for a TA 101 course in the UK, while The Berne Institute admits MSc applicants by interview. ITAA notes that every country has its own laws on working with TA.

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