Exam 3 Theories of Couseling ACED Class #201: TA and GESTALT Therapy

• 1) Every adult was once a child (the child ego state)
• 2) Every adult is capable of reality testing (the adult ego state)
• 3) Every adult has had parenting (parent ego state).

The root of all emotional health is in the child ego state.

1) I’m not OK – You’re OK…first life position, inferior to adults (such as not potty trained), waits for strokes, parent approval; when these feelings carried into adult hood, high risk of substance abuse. (basic stance of childhood)
2) I’m not OK – You’re not OK…can lead to passivity, no hope, substance abuse (if not given strokes).
3) I’m OK – You’re not OK…battered children can transition into this, realizing that the parents behavior is wrong, that they are not the problem; this can be lifesaving to the battered child.(Bruised & Battered child)
4) I’m OK – You’re OK (Based on Thought, Faith & Action)
The first three have to do with “why is this happening to me?” The 4^th one is “Why not?”

Do give strokes Do ask for strokes Do accept strokes Do reject strokes Do give yourself strokes

Games are interactions that have ulterior qualities.

See image

1) “Its all them, its all you”
2) “Why don’t you…yes, but…”
3) “Isn’t it awful”
4) “If it weren’t for you, I could…
5) “Lets you and him fight…”
6) “Now I’ve got you, you SOB…”
7) “Uproar…”

A Theory & technique t hathhat work with the incorporation of Gestalt methods. The therapist encourages the client to speak of past events as though they are occurring in the present. Each scene is explored and re-experienced vividly, through the senses and emotions until the scene is found in which the original decision was made. The basic premise is to understand that early decisions are based on the best of intentions, considering the resources children have at the time. Once the early decision has been explored, the client is invited back to the present and the adult ego state, to appreciate the good intention and evaluate the current effect of the early decision.

2 Components of PARENT EGO STATE: Critical Parent (Demanding and Controlling) and Nurturing Parent (Comforting & Supportive)

FC= Free Child State: we are all botn with this state;the source of all our needs and the initiator of emotion and creativity.As the Child Ego state developes, it can be divided into 2 basic styles:
CC= Compliant Child-accepting of the environment and
RC- Rebellious Child-rejects the environment.

A life plan in Transactional Analysis, based on decisions made earlier in life (e.g., a parent sends a message to a child, “You’re bad! You’re responsible for everything that’s wrong.” The child’s response, or decision, is, “I will go away. I will not get close.” This decision forms basis for a script: “I will end my life alone.”

In TA, transactions (the exchange of strokes) ideally are complementary (or parallel), allowing communication to continue openly. A Crossed Transaction is one in which the response comes from an ego state other than the one indicated by the stimulus, and can shut down communication. The strokes are no longer complementary.

A response between people that is appropriate, expected, and follows the natural order of a healthy relationship. As long as it remains this way the transaction may continue. Adult to Adult and Child to Adult are examples of complimentary transactions. (basically talking nice to one another and being polite).

1) Verbal & Non-verbal: a form of recognition used with or as a sustitute form touching,smiling or a compliment. He cused the term 'recognition-hunger' to describe our need for this acknowledgement by others.

2) Conditional & Non-conditional:conditional=who you are;unconditional=what you are.

3) Positive & Negative: positive = pleasant; negative =painful

1st Rule of Communication

• So long as transactions remain complementary, communication can continue indefinitely.

2^nd Rule of Communication

• When a transaction is crossed, a break in communication results, and one or both individuals will need to shift ego states in order for the communication to be re-established

3^rd Rule of Communication The behavioral outcome of an ulterior transaction (one where two messages are sent at the same time; one overt social and one covert psychological) is determined at the psychological level and not at the social level. (ULTERIOR Transaction = GAME-usually ends in a 'payoff' of bad feelings!

1. Contracting for change- clients decide specifically, in terms of beliefs, emotions, and behavior, what they plan to change about themselves in order to reach designated goals. 2. Ego state exercises- Using visualization exercises or the 6 chair technique you are learn and identify the clients use of different ego states. 3.Stroke exercises- role paying exercises where clients learn about giving and recieving stokes and about the different kinds of strokes. 4.Options and drama triangle- educating clients ( guiding them while transacting) on better ways to use their ego state transactions and educating them on their ego states in relation to Karpmans triangle(drama triangle). 5.Confronting the con- Counselors need to recognize hidden messages that subtract from the autonomy of the client(known as a discount). These transactions imitate games and confronting the con brings the discount into adult awareness( basically calling people on their stuff)

1) Down to Earth language and experiential process;

2) Accessible and user friendly