TA Training in the UK
Training to be a Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA) involves choosing one of the four fields (pdf): counselling, education, organisation and psychotherapy. And then going through the training process, which in the UK involves several separate bodies:
- one of the UK TA training establishments
- a Certified Transactional Analyst therapist
- an organisation willing to accept student placements
- the ITA and EATA
- the UKCP (for the psychotherapy field) or the BACP (for the counselling field - incorrectly identified on the ITA web site by its old name, BAC)
- optionally (but increasingly commonly), a university
They each have a separate role:
- training establishments, such as the Leeds Psychotherapy Training Institute where I am studying, delivers the training and prepares you for the exams
- the Certified Transactional Analyst therapist will work with you in a course a therapy, as you are required to undergo personal therapy (not in the foundation year) so that personal issues can be tackled, and issues brought up in training addressed, and so that you have a client's perspective on the therapy process
- the organisations willing to accept student placements give the trainees invaluable insight into both the institutional operation of mental health and experience with clients
- ITA and EATA set the syllabus and conduct the examinations (see below for details)
- UKCP registers psychotherapists in their Humanistic Integrative section (HIPS), and the BACP registers counsellors
- universities now accredit most of the TA training establishment's courses, awarding a Masters Degree when becoming a Certified Transactional Analysis
CTA Training Timescales
The details of individual training routes may differ slightly between different training establishments. Note that the training is typically done part-time, in a series of weekend session held monthly. Also note that you'll need to be in a course of therapy yourself during the training, to tackle any issues that arise and so that you can experience the process of psychotherapy.
The general course of training you need to complete is:
- Transactional Analysis 101 (Weekend course)
- Foundation Course in Transactional Analysis (1 Year course)
- Certified Transactional Analysis Training (3 Year course)
- Certified Transactional Analysis Exam Preparation (variable)
Alternatively, if you combine your TA training with a Masters Degree, you route may look like:
- Transactional Analysis 101 (Weekend course)
- Foundation Course in Transactional Analysis (1 Year course)
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Transactional Analysis (1 Year course)
- Post-Graduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis (1 Year course)
- Masters Degree in Transactional Analysis (1 or 2 Years tuition, plus being certified)
- Certified Transactional Analysis Exam Preparation (variable)
Either way, training to be a CTA (Certified Transactional Analyst) is a major personal and professional commitment. One of the advantages of the Masters Degree route is that if, for whatever reason, you decide not to become a CTA, you will have your intermediate qualifications, and you will be able to continue to complete a Masters Degree.
Transactional Analysis Training Syllabus
The EATA handbook formally details Transactional Analysis training requirements and procedures for trainees in Europe,
- EATA Handbook Section 1, Introduction (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 2, Status of Training (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 3, Ethics & Professional Practice (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 4, TA 101 (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 5, The Four Fields (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 6, Training Contracts (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 7, Exam Regulations& Timetable (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 8, Written Examination (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 9, Oral Examination (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 10, The TEW (Training Endorsement Workshop) (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 11, TSTA Examination (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 12, Forms 1 (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Section 12, Forms 2 (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Appendix 1, Contact Details (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Appendix 2, UK ITA Supplemental Pages (pdf)
- EATA Handbook Notes (pdf)
For TA trainees in Western Pacific, see the WPATA training page.
For TA trainees in USA and the rest of the world outside Europe and the Western Pacific, see the ITAA's Training & Certification Council Handbook.