TAJ July 2009 Abstracts

After a brief description of postmodernism, constructionism, and constructivism, the author describes constructivist therapies in general and then distinguishes one variety of a transactional analysis societal constructionist approach and three varieties of individual constructivist approaches. Neurophysiological processes, however, subserve ego states, transactions, and scripts. Those transactional analytic theories and practices that include consideration of changes in the brain through the development, maintenance, or modification of neural networks might well be called “neuroconstructivist transactional analysis.” Through relationships and therapeutic interactions, we use our minds to change both our brains and the brains of others.

Bonding the Ethnic Child with the Universal Parent: Strategies and Ethos of a Transactional Analysis Ecocommunity Activist
Pearl Drego
pp. 193-206

This article is an edited version of a keynote speech delivered on 9 August 2008, South Africa Women’s Day, at the Transactional Analysis World Conference held in Johannesburg South Africa. The author combines the values enshrined in South Africa Women’s Day with values of transactional analysts that are needed for the struggle against injustice and the restoration of the Earth’s ecosystems. Models of ego states and Cultural Parent are used to underline an experience-based universal ethos for an agenda of transformation at the personal, social, and planetary levels in which a wholistic ethnicity challenges unhealthy globalization. Interpreting the cowpoke story with a hermeneutic of ecorecovery, the author emphasizes cultural permissions that will harmonize several dimensions of the Child ego state, namely, the epistemological, the ecological, the ethnic, the ethical, and the spiritual.

Life Scripts and Attachment Patterns: Theoretical Integration and Therapeutic Involvement
Richard G. Erskine
pp. 207-218

Eric Berne originally described life scripts as being formed from the primal dramas and implicit protocols of infancy and early childhood. John Bowlby’s attachment theory and the supporting research provide a theoretical integration with script theory and suggest the necessity of a developmental focus in psychotherapy. Secure, anxious/ambivalent, avoidant, disorganized, and isolated attachment patterns are described in relation to life scripts and their implications for psychotherapy.

Understanding the Psychodynamics of Suicidal Clients: Exploring Suicidal and Presuicidal States
Ray Little
pp. 219-228

The author discusses some aspects of suicidal and presuicidal states, in particular the psychodynamics of suicide and suicide attempts. The focus is on the internal dynamics of the suicidal client and the nature of the therapeutic relationship. The author draws on the work of Donald Campbell and Glen Gabbard and on the film The Bridge (Steel, 2006) as well as on his own clinical/supervisory experience and formulations while acknowledging that what is described here does not apply to all suicidal clients.

Understanding Social Pain Dynamics in Human Relations
N. Michel Landaiche, III
pp. 229-238

Understanding social pain dynamics can help explain and resolve avoidant and aggressive interpersonal behaviors that have an intense, intractable quality, typically accompanied by loss of Adult ego state functioning. The necessarily interpersonal nature of these pain dynamics can also involve and disable the professional, which has implications for working with these affective and behavioral dilemmas.

Why Are We Psychotherapists?: The Necessity of Help for the Helper
Ann Heathcote
pp. 239-246

The aim of this article is to encourage transactional analysis (TA) psychotherapists, in general, and trainee TA psychotherapists, in particular, to develop a deeper understanding of their choice of profession and the potential consequences of this personally and professionally. Some of the literature regarding the psychological underpinnings of the choice of psychotherapy as a career are explored. In addition, the author considers some of the implications of these psychological underpinnings, namely the importance of commitment to the personal journey as a psychotherapist, particularly the ongoing need for personal psychotherapy, training, and supervision for the sake of both clients and the psychotherapist.

Mindfulness and the Adult Ego State
Juliet Verney
pp. 247-255

This article considers whether it is possible to find security in the ever-changing process of the Adult ego state. The author cites several definitions of “Adult,” suggests that individuation is not the final goal of maturation, and considers the idea that beyond personal autonomy lies universal interconnectedness. This article addresses the differences between Eastern and Western psychologies and suggests mindfulness meditation as a means of achieving inner balance and stability in the Adult.

The Force Is with You: A Transactional Analysis Look at CFQ Healing Qigong
Nancy Porter-Steele and Curtis A. Steele
pp. 256-261

The authors discuss Chaoyi Fanhuan Qigong (CFQ Healing Qigong) from various perspectives, including history, phenomenology, theory (including current physics), behavioral description of the practice and training, and its relationship to wisdom traditions and some contemporary therapies. Examples of healing resulting from CFQ treatment are provided.

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