When people search for a therapist, they usually start broadly. They type "therapist near me" or "counselling London" and scroll through pages of profiles that all begin to blur together. But some people know exactly what they're looking for. They've read about transactional analysis somewhere—maybe in a book about relationships, or they've had a friend who swears by it—and they want a TA therapist specifically.

If that's you, this guide is for you. We'll cover what TA-trained therapists offer, what qualifications to look for, how to find one in London, and what questions are worth asking before you commit to working with anyone.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

Transactional analysis (TA) is a well-established humanistic therapy that helps you understand your patterns in relationships and communication
TA 101 certification is the standard entry-level qualification—look for therapists who also have further clinical training
In London, TA therapists can be found through BACP, ITAA, or EATA directories
Not all integrative therapists have the same depth of TA training—it's worth asking specifically about their qualifications
Initial consultations are your chance to assess fit before committing

Why Look for a TA Therapist Specifically?

Transactional analysis offers something that many other therapeutic approaches don't: a clear, practical language for understanding what goes on between people.

Developed by Eric Berne in the 1950s, TA describes how we communicate from different "ego states" (Parent, Adult, Child), how we repeat early relationship patterns through "scripts," and how certain interpersonal "games" keep us stuck in cycles we didn't consciously choose. It's humanistic at its core—meaning it assumes you have the capacity to change and take responsibility for your choices—and it tends to be more explicitly collaborative than some other approaches.

People often seek out TA therapists because:

They've read I'm OK – You're OK by Thomas Harris, Games People Play by Eric Berne, or a similar TA text and want to explore the ideas in a clinical context
Previous therapy helped somewhat, but felt too passive—they want a more transparent, intellectually engaged process
They're dealing with repetitive relationship patterns and want a framework, not just empathy
They're in the helping professions themselves and want to understand how TA applies to their own life

None of these reasons are more valid than others. What matters is whether you and the approach are a good fit.

What Qualifications Should a TA Therapist Have?

This is where things get slightly complicated, because "I use transactional analysis" can mean anything from "I completed a full TA psychotherapy training" to "I did a weekend workshop once."

Here's what the terms actually mean:

TA 101

The TA 101 is the introductory certification in transactional analysis, standardised by the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA). It typically involves a two-day course covering the core concepts—ego states, transactions, strokes, scripts, games—followed by a written exam.

Completing TA 101 demonstrates engagement with the foundational theory, but on its own it doesn't qualify someone to practise as a TA therapist. Many counsellors and psychotherapists complete TA 101 as continuing professional development, adding TA concepts to their existing integrative practice. This is legitimate and often clinically valuable.

I completed TA 101 through the Berne Institute, and it significantly deepened how I work with clients—particularly in understanding script patterns and relationship dynamics.

CTA (Certified Transactional Analyst)

This is the full clinical qualification. Candidates must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of TA therapy (or related clinical work), 150 hours of TA supervision, 500 hours of personal therapy, and pass both written and oral examinations. The process is rigorous and takes most people five to eight years after their foundational training.

CTAs operate in different fields: psychotherapy (CTA-P), counselling (CTA-C), organisational (CTA-O), and educational (CTA-Ed). For clinical therapeutic work, you're looking for CTA-P or CTA-C.

TSTA (Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst)

The most senior qualification. TSTAs train and supervise other TA practitioners. If you find a TSTA, you're working with someone at the apex of TA training.

What to Look For in Practice

For most people seeking a TA therapist in London, the realistic landscape looks like this:

A counsellor or psychotherapist with a full clinical qualification (BACP-accredited diploma or degree) who has completed TA 101 and incorporates TA into their integrative practice. This is the most common profile among London therapists, and it's entirely appropriate for most presentations.
A full CTA, which indicates intensive TA-specific training. You'd typically find these practitioners advertising as TA specialists rather than general integrative therapists.

Both can offer excellent therapy. The question is whether your needs specifically call for deep TA expertise, or whether a well-trained integrative therapist who uses TA concepts would serve you equally well.

How to Find a TA Therapist in London

BACP Therapist Directory

The BACP's Find a Therapist directory allows you to filter by location and theoretical approach. Search for "transactional analysis" within London, and you'll find therapists who list TA as one of their modalities.

What the BACP listing tells you: the therapist holds BACP membership or accreditation, meaning they've met a minimum standard of training and ethical practice.

What it doesn't tell you: the depth of their TA training. This is worth exploring in an initial consultation.

ITAA Directory

The International Transactional Analysis Association maintains its own therapist directory. This is specifically for certified TA practitioners—so anyone listed here has completed full CTA training or above.

EATA

The European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA) also maintains a practitioner directory. Coverage is broader across Europe, but some London-based practitioners list here.

Psychology Today UK

Psychology Today's UK therapist directory includes filtering by modality, and many TA-trained therapists list here. The profiles tend to be more detailed, which can help you get a sense of personality and approach before making contact.

Word of Mouth

If someone in your network has had a positive experience with a TA therapist in London, that's worth pursuing. Personal recommendations carry weight—not because a recommended therapist is objectively the best, but because the endorsement gives you a starting point to assess whether the fit might work for you.

Questions to Ask in an Initial Consultation

Most therapists in London offer a free or low-cost initial consultation (usually 15–30 minutes). Use it. This is your opportunity not just to tell them about what you're dealing with, but to assess whether working with them feels right.

Specific to TA, consider asking:

"What's your TA training background?" — A straightforward question that lets them tell you whether they completed TA 101, full CTA, or something in between.

"How do you typically use TA concepts in your work?" — This reveals whether TA is genuinely integrated into their practice or name-dropped for marketing purposes. A therapist who uses TA fluently will be able to give you a concrete sense of how ego state awareness, script work, or the OK-corral might feature in sessions.

"What's your experience with [your specific difficulty]?" — Relevant experience matters independently of modality. A TA therapist who has worked extensively with relationship patterns may serve you better than a CTA whose specialism is organisational work.

"How do you approach the therapeutic relationship?" — TA therapy emphasises an egalitarian, transparent relationship between therapist and client. The answer should reflect that philosophy.

What TA Therapy Actually Looks Like Day-to-Day

If you've been to therapy before, TA sessions may feel somewhat different—or they may not, depending on the therapist's style.

At its best, TA therapy is collaborative and transparent. Your therapist will share their thinking rather than maintaining the analytic blank-screen approach. If they notice you slipping into a Child ego state—responding to a situation as if you were eight years old rather than a competent adult—they might name that, gently and without judgement, and invite you to reflect on it.

Expert Perspective: "What distinguishes TA in practice is the willingness to work explicitly with what's happening in the room—to notice ego state shifts in real time and help the client become their own observer. It's not just talk about old relationships; it's live work with current patterns." — Dr James Fordham, TSTA and TA psychotherapist, London

Script work—exploring the unconscious decisions you made about yourself and the world as a child—tends to develop over time rather than appearing in the first few sessions. Early sessions typically focus on establishing the therapeutic relationship, understanding the presenting issues, and agreeing a contract (TA's term for shared goals and mutual expectations).

The pacing is rarely rushed. TA is generally suited to medium-to-longer-term work, though some focused short-term contracts are possible.

TA Therapy Costs in London

Private therapy in London typically runs between £70 and £130 per session, with most TA-trained practitioners in the £80–£100 range. Sessions are usually 50 minutes.

Some TA practitioners offer concessions for students, trainees, or those on lower incomes. Block booking discounts are also available with some therapists—five or ten sessions paid in advance at a reduced rate, which can make ongoing therapy more financially manageable.

If cost is a barrier, some TA-based agencies offer counselling at lower rates. The BACP directory allows you to filter by therapists who offer concessions.

FAQs: Finding a TA Therapist

What's the difference between TA therapy and CBT? CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns that drive unhelpful behaviours. TA is broader: it explores relationship dynamics, early-life patterns, and the underlying "scripts" that shape how you see yourself and others. CBT tends to be more structured and shorter-term; TA often goes deeper into the origins of patterns.

Is TA suitable for complex trauma? TA has a strong theoretical foundation for understanding trauma responses—particularly how early experiences shape ego state development and life script. However, complex trauma may also benefit from trauma-specific approaches. Many integrative therapists combine TA with trauma-informed frameworks. Ask any prospective therapist directly about their experience with trauma.

Can TA be done online? Yes. Many London-based TA therapists offer sessions via Zoom or similar platforms, and the research on online therapy effectiveness is broadly positive. Some elements of TA work—particularly the here-and-now awareness of what's happening in the room—may be slightly different to navigate online, but it's entirely workable with an experienced therapist.

How long does TA therapy typically take? This varies considerably based on your goals. Some people find useful shifts in 12–20 sessions. Deeper script work or complex relational patterns may take considerably longer. At the outset, it's worth agreeing on a review point (often after six to eight sessions) to assess progress and decide how to proceed.

Taking the Next Step

If you're interested in transactional analysis counselling in London, the best starting point is to shortlist two or three practitioners from the directories above and request initial consultations. Notice not just their credentials, but how you feel in that first conversation—whether they listen attentively, speak plainly, and seem genuinely curious about you.

Good therapy isn't just about the right modality. It's about the right relationship. TA offers a powerful framework, but what makes the real difference is the human being on the other side of it.

Annabel is a BACP-registered integrative counsellor with TA 101 certification from the Berne Institute and a BSc (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling from Metanoia Institute. She works in Fulham, SW London, and via Zoom. Get in touch to find out whether working together might be a good fit.

Finding a TA Therapist in London: Your Guide to Transactional Analysis Counselling