Stage One: Foundation in Transactional Analysis Theory
Understanding the fundamental elements of Transactional Analysis theory and practice either as a stand-alone course or as a basis for further training.
Introduction
This exciting year introduces you to core Transactional Analysis (TA) theory and concepts and how they apply to you, your life, your decisions and your relationships.
If you want to become a UKCP Registered psychotherapist, an NCPS accredited counsellor, a coach, a business consultant or an internationally accredited Certified Transactional Analyst, this is the first step in your training.
For those already qualified in another modality, this course offers excellent professional development, enhancing your existing therapeutic training by adding invaluable TA concepts, approaches and skills.
It is also a potentially life-changing course if you simply want to enjoy a fascinating journey of discovery and personal development, helping you to understand more about your personality, your life and your relationship choices, and what may be holding you back from achieving your full potential.
What does the Foundation cover?
Over eleven weekends, this year builds your understanding of a broad range of Transactional Analysis theories and approaches. From the beginning, you will be taught practical counselling skills used by qualified professionals, which you can use immediately in your life to enhance your communications and relationships with others.
- The philosophy and principles of TA
- Early decisions we make in infancy and childhood that affect our life
- Child development and our attachment patterns
- How we develop a life ‘script’, and move through life positions
- The development of our personality, and different personality types
- Ego states, verbal communication and body language
- Psychobiological hungers and our need for recognition, stimulation and structure
- Injunctions and drivers of our behaviour
- How and why we distort, discount and redefine reality
- Relationship patterns: psychological Game playing, rackets and confrontation
- The dynamics of groups and organisations
- Managing endings and the loss of relationships
To receive your Certificate in TA theory, you will need to write eight short 250-word reflections on your experiences as you go through the year. You will also need to give a short five-minute presentation to your training group and keep a regular journal.
What outcomes can I expect?
Most people find this an incredibly valuable and enjoyable year of learning and self-awareness that helps to inform, develop and improve professional and personal relationships. You will receive the Connexus Institute Certificate in TA theory and 150 hours of TA training recognised internationally. Successful completion of this course completes Stage One for those enrolled in our psychotherapy and counselling training.
Part of our core Psychotherapy & Counselling training
Why attend?
We designed this course for anyone who wants to:
- develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their behaviours, thoughts and feelings
- use Transactional Analysis as a tool for improving human relationships
- continue further into our fully accredited counselling and psychotherapy training.
You do not need any specific qualification or experience to attend this highly enjoyable year of exploration and learning; you just need to complete a TA 101 two-day course. Connexus runs TA 101s regularly. Click here for more information.
Learn more about our accredited Psychotherapy & Counselling training
Now Taking Applications for Sep 2025 Start
Length: 11 weekends over one academic year
Times: Sat 9:30 to 17:00 & Sun 9:30 to 16:00
Mode: Face-to-Face
Dates for this course are:
- 27 & 28 Sep 2025
- 11 & 12 Oct
- 8 & 9 Nov
- 6 & 7 Dec
- 10 & 11 Jan 2026
- 7 & 8 Feb
- 7 & 8 Mar
- 11 & 12 Apr
- 9 & 10 May
- 6 & 7 Jun
- 4 & 5 Jul
Cost: £2,900
Instalment payment plans available
More Information?
Let us know if you have any questions
Meet the tutors
Mel Burgess
Mel Burgess MSc, Dip. Couns., CTA (P), Dip. Sup., PTSTA (P) is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist working in private practice in Kent. Mel has a wealth of experience working with clients who have experienced loss, grief, and bereavement. Originally trained as a Nurse Mel spent over 30 years working in the NHS, private healthcare, Mental Health Services and Hospice care as a Senior Director supporting dying patients, bereaved families and the professionals who care for them.
Justine James
Justine James, Dip. Couns., CTA (P), PTSTA (P) is a UKCP Registered Psychotherapist working in private practice based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Justine worked for a number of years as a bereavement counsellor in a hospice setting supporting families of terminally ill patients, as well as those who had been bereaved, offering either one to one or group sessions.
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams is an executive coach, facilitator and business consultant specialising in leadership, team and organisation development (OD). She also trains and supervises fellow practitioners. Earlier in her career, Vanessa held a number of HR roles including HR Director and Board member. She holds a Master’s degree in Business (MBA) and is a Certified Transactional Analyst and a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst in the Organisational field.