Transactional Analysis Qualification & Training - Everything you need to know!
You are looking for training in Transactional Analysis? This is the right place for you! In this article, I'll introduce you to different ways you can learn TA:
1. Training - Live or Online?
Learning Transactional Analysis in a classroom course or online: Both training types have their pros and cons must be weighed. Let us shed some light on them.
I recommend an online course rather than a live weekend course especially for beginners. Signing up for an online course allows you to structure the content and adapt it to your own learning pace. During group courses I experienced that coaches missed out on structuring the content at all and instead focused on group processes. This may be useful in later stages of a training. However, what TA novices usually need first is an overview of the concepts that Transactional Analysis has to offer. This is also the reason why I developed the online course Transactional Analysis.
I put great emphasis on structure, clarity and summaries in the online course. I make sure that you always know at which step of learning and in the TA-landscape with its many concepts you are.
Below you can compare between classroom and online course:
Parameter | Classroom Course | Online Course |
|---|---|---|
Transmission of Content | Depending on group & instructor | Well structured, complete TA curriculum content available |
Speed of learning | Average speed of whole group | Participant's own speed |
Costs | Course fees, travel & accommodation, additional F&B costs | Course fees |
Flexibility in terms of time, cancellation or sickness | Fixed determined date & time, partial or full payment of seminar fees | Completely flexible, 60-days refund-guarantee, lifelong access to content |
Location | Tied to a certain place | Location-independant |
Time Investment | Travel time, tied to the time structure & dates of course | Access to web-enabled device & set-up of internet connection |
Excercises | Group & individual exercises, up to 15 | Individual exercises, up to 30 |
Course instructor | Personal contact | Online contact |
Access to content | During the course, handouts | Lifelong |
Ask Technical Questions | During & after the course | Anytime |
Refresh Content | Reread handouts, book another course, coaching, books | Log in & have access to entire cintent |
Case discussions | During course | Through comment function & email |
Free weekend | Taken up by course | Remains free due to flexible time management |
101 certification (national & international acknowledgement) | Yes - through course instructor | Yes - through Jürg Bollinger eligable for certification |
2. Training in Transactional Analysis - Three Steps of Qualification
Transactional Analysis continuing education follows a hierarchical order. This means that you have to complete one training before you can continue with the next one. There are three milestones to the Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA):
- TA 101 - introductory course
- Transactional Analysis Consultant
- Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA)
I have prepared a table of the individual training levels for you. I will explain every training section in detail below:
Milestone: | TA 101 course | Transactional Analysis Consultant | Certified Transactional Analyst |
|---|---|---|---|
Training time | 1 weekend | 3 years in total | in total about 5-6 years |
Obligation | Obligatory in order to participate in other TA qualification courses (=entrance tickets) | Not mandatory in order to become a certified Transactional Analyst | Mandatory in order to use the title certified Transactional Analyst |
Possible trainings to obtain the qualification | classroom seminars | classroom seminars |
The Transaction Analytic Advisor is an intermediate certification. This exam is not needed to become a Transactional Analyst.
3. Training in Transactional Analysis: What you will learn
Let's have a detailed look at what you can learn in each of the TA training steps.
TA 101 introductory course
The first training level (TA 101) focuses on the concepts of Transactional Analysis. You can get a solid overview of Transactional Analysis and familiarize yourself with TA terms. Furthermore, you can apply them in practice right away. The idea behind the TA 101 course is acquiring the basics to build on in further education.
Your advantage - right from the start it is possible to work practically with the concepts right from the beginning. Like this you can immediately experience how relevant the concepts are in real life.
Good to know: With the online basic course Transactional Analysis you can easily obtain your TA 101 certification from home. 100% flexibility guaranteed. My colleague Jürg Bollinger and I will present all important TA concepts to you in a structured and clear way. There are also practical exercises for you to apply immediately in your professional and personal life. The TA 101 certificate will be sent to you by mail.
Another great benefit of the online basic course Transactional Analysis is that it is accessible for life. Like this you can:
- refresh your knowledge within minutes
- prepare for training sessions
- learn for exams
All teaching Transactional Analysts are required to accept official TA certificates. With your TA 101 certificate aquired here, you can enter further Transactional Analysis training anywhere.
TA Training for Transactional Analytical Consultant (about 3 years)
In the training to become a Transactional Analytical Consultant, the TA concepts are dealt with in depth. At this level, the relationship-oriented work comes into play. Relationship-oriented means that the HOW do people interact with each other is put to the test and will be further developed. I regard the relationship orientation as the actual strength inherent in Transactional Analysis.
The Transactional Analysis Consultant focuses on transactional analytical advisory skills. Obtaining this certification, requires a written elaboration reflecting on one's personal path as well as a proof of hours of training, self-experience, supervision and intervision. The opportunity to collect the necessary hours is organized during the training for becoming a TA Consultant. The hours and certifications collected during the TA consultant training can also be used for the certified Transaction Analyst.
Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA, about 5-6 years in total)
The qualification for a Certified Transactional Analyst focuses especially on:
- the inter-connection between the TA-concepts
- practicing of TA in its different fields of application
In order to achieve this level, it is necessary to specify in one of the four Transactional Analysis fields or areas of application in which the exam will take place:
- Counselling
- Educational
- Organizational
- Psychotherapy
To become a Certified Transactional Analyst, you need more hours in training, supervision, intervision and self-experience. In addition, there is a large block of hours of practical work with TA in the chosen field.
Training for a Certified Transactional Analyst takes five to six years in total. In order to complete the qualification, there is a written reflection work in book thickness (up to 24,000 words) and an oral (practical) exam. The requirements for a Certified Transactional Analyst are therefore relatively high. At the same time, this ensures a high level of quality for which Transactional Analysis is known.
4. Transactional Analysis Training - Costs
The costs incurred for TA training can vary greatly. The TA 101 course for learning and applying the most important TA concepts costs between 350€ and 600€, depending on the provider.
You want to save money? Have a look here. (Click here!)
Pricing for advanced TA education vary greatly as well. For example, I paid a monthly fee (160€) for seven seminar weekends per year. Others settle the individual seminars. The exact billing is individual and must be discussed with the appropriate training provider.
The exam for becoming a Certified Transactional Analyst is also charged.
If you like to be certififed, you need to become a member of the European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA) or the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA). In addition, membership of your national Transactional Analysis association may be worth considering.
5. Transactional Analysis Training - This is how you start!
You would like to be trained in Transactional Analysis, in order to advance in your professional and personal life? Here are your possibilities to start:
The first step is always to purchase the TA 101 certificate. You will learn the basic TA concepts and their application for your professional and personal practice.
- You get an overview of TA
- You will get an understanding of how Transactional Analysis can help you in your professional life
- You can decide which advanced Transactional Analysis traing you want to pursue
The TA 101 is always the first step of each TA training or qualification. It is the "entrance ticket". In order to obtain the first necessary qualification level, you have two possibilities:
- You look up a weekend seminar and learn the basics of Transactional Analysis. This has the advantage that you are in face-to-face contact with the instructor.
- You take part in the online basic course Transactional Analysis. Here, you will learn the basics structured in vivid online video modules. You can start immediately, you are 100% flexible in time. As add on (125 € extra) get your TA 101 certificate after successful online exam conveniently sent home. Consequently, you can get your TA 101 certificate via convenient online course.
The TA 101 course is always the beginning of any professional Transactional Analysis training. I look forward to seeing you soon as a TA colleague.
If you have questions about Transactional Analysis training, just drop me a line in the comments field.
Warm regards
Steffen
