Understanding the Roles of Ego States in Transactional Analysis
Understanding the Roles of Ego States in Transactional Analysis
Exploring how the Parent, Adult, and Child ego states influence emotions, communication, and self-growth. Presented by Emocare and Founder Seethalakshmi Sivakumar.
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Seethalakshmi Sivakumar — Psychologist, Founder, and International Life Coach. She leads Emocare’s programs and training across India and worldwide.
Understanding the Roles of Ego States
Transactional Analysis (TA), developed by Dr. Eric Berne, explains human behavior using three internal “ego states” — Parent, Adult, and Child. These states shape how we think, feel, and communicate.
The Three Ego States
- Parent: Internalized beliefs, rules, and moral values learned from authority figures. Can be Nurturing (caring, protective) or Critical (judgmental, controlling).
- Adult: Rational, logical, and objective. It analyzes information based on reality and helps balance emotions with reason.
- Child: The emotional and spontaneous self that reacts based on early experiences. Includes Natural Child (playful, creative) and Adapted Child (compliant or rebellious).
How Ego States Affect Communication
Every interaction involves one ego state communicating with another. Healthy, productive conversations happen when both people engage from the Adult state — focusing on understanding and solutions rather than control or emotion-driven reactions.
Examples in Counselling
- Helping clients identify when they respond as an Adapted Child and guiding them to an Adult mindset.
- Transforming a Critical Parent attitude into a Nurturing Parent for more compassionate self-talk.
- Encouraging the Natural Child state to restore joy, spontaneity, and creativity.
Why It Matters
Recognizing ego states fosters emotional intelligence, better communication, and personal growth. In therapy, TA helps uncover patterns and promotes balance between thinking, feeling, and behavior.
Summary: By understanding and managing ego states, individuals learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and live with greater emotional awareness.
Training & Courses
Emocare’s Training-in-Counselling programs include modules on Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and ethics. Participants gain hands-on experience and supervision.
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