Conceptualizing Ego States in Transactional Analysis

Within this book, Grégoire reviews and extends the founding concepts ego states in Transactional Analysis, starting with Eric Berne's foundational thinking about ego states, and then examining and integrating the evolution of subsequent models and thinking.

Within this book, Grégoire reviews and extends the founding concepts of ego states in Transactional Analysis, starting with Eric Berne's foundational thinking about ego states and then examining and integrating the evolution of subsequent models and thinking.

The ego state theory describes extensive aspects of human existence, exploring phenomena belonging to very diverse dimensions, for example, the person, their inner being, their relationships, their past and present, amongst many others. A conceptualization of the three ego states is newly presented within this book as systems which are constantly in mutual interaction, each with its specific psychological functions: the Child experiences subjectively, the Parent internalizes aspects of the external family and social worlds, and the Adult allows contact with reality. This complex but necessary process is always in evolution and lasts throughout the phases of growth, permeating every aspect of the internal, external and relational life of the person. The book also further explores emotions, grief, groups, relationships and empathy through the lens of ego state theory.

Providing a greater comprehension of Berne's texts and the multilevel concept of ego states, this book will be a valuable resource for transactional analysts, both in practice and in training.

Autorentext

José Grégoire is a psychotherapist, an EATA Certified Clinical Transactional Analyst and a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst. Besides his work as a therapist, teacher, supervisor in TA and translator of the French TA review Actualités en Analyse Transactionnelle, he has worked in an interdisciplinary therapeutic team for therapy of persons wanting to cure addictions.

Inhalt

Foreword 1. Three perspectives on ego states 2. Ego states as personality systems 3. What is the purpose of each system? 4. Growth and personal development 5. The Child: The system that experiences life 6. The Parent: The system that internalizes 7. The Adult: The system that integrates reality 8. From disjunction to integration 9. Emotions 10. The sense of Self 11. Integration and relationships 12. Co-creativity and Relationships 13. Communication within the relationship 14. The practitioner and the interaction perspective Conclusion Afterword: Ego states in transactional analysis