Transactional Analysis is a branch of is a social psychology developed by Eric Berne, MD (d.1970). Over the past four decades Eric Berne's theory has evolved to include applications to psychotherapy, counseling, education, and organizational development.

Psychotherapy

Transactional analysis, according to Eric Berne, is a powerful tool for human well being. In psychotherapy, transactional analysis utilizes the "Adult" in both the client and the clinician to sort out pathological behaviors and thoughts that result in incapacitation. Thoroughly trained and skilled transactional analysts intervene with the precision of surgeons as they work "with" clients to eliminate dysfunctional behaviors and establish and reinforce healthy functioning. In psychotherapy, transactional analysts are able to use the many tools of psychotherapy ranging from psychoanalysis to behavior modification in effective and portent ways.

Counseling

Counselors who utilize transactional analysis work directly on "here and now" problem solving with their clients, focusing on creating productive problem solving behaviors. By using transactional analysis, counselor's educate and establish an equal working relationship with their clients. This working relationship provides clients with tools they can utilize in their day-to-day functions.

Educational

Educators who work with transactional analysis teach the simple concepts of basic transactional analysis to enable students, whether the students are elementary or post-graduate students. By using the basic theory of transactional analysis, educators work to create a common understanding of personality and functioning that reaches across all fields of learning and unifies the educational experience.

Organizational

Transactional Analysis is a powerful tool in the hands of organizational development specialists. Through presenting the basic concepts of transactional analysis and using it as the basic theory to undergird the objectives of their clients, organizational development specialists build a common strategy with which to address the particular needs of organizations and to build a functional relationship, as well as eliminate dysfunctional organizational behaviors.