Old Tricks, New Dogs

Abstract

In exploring the areas of overlap and difference between relational psychoanalysis, transactional analysis, and relational transactional analysis, this response to Little (2013) challenges the myth of the new and argues that many contemporary developments in relational transactional analysis are perhaps reworkings and refinements of the old. This discussant paper proposes a possible integration of old and new theory and methodology.

• Old
• new
• integration
• reclaim
• lived experience
• emotionally charged
• expressive therapies

Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joleen Lasker

Author Biographies

Elana Leigh, BSc (social work), MSc (integrative psychotherapy), Certified Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) and Training and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy), has trained and supervised nationally and internationally across a range of cultures for the past 26 years. Her specialty is long-term training in which the task is to take trainees through the rigorous journey of becoming an ethical professional. Having been trained as an integrative psychotherapist, her passion lies in integration and diversity in both theory and application. Elana is actively involved both nationally and internationally with bodies that maintain and advance training standards in the field of psychotherapy. She currently works as a psychotherapist in private practice and as a supervisor and trainer in Sydney. She can be reached at 158 Wellington St., Bondi 2026, NSW, Australia; email: [email protected].

Joleen Lasker, BSocSc (social work), MEd, Grad Dip Adult Training and Development, Grad Dip Psychotherapy (SPIA), is a member of the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association, PACFA, and the Australian Association of Social Workers. She has worked as a social worker, counselor, and psychotherapist with individuals, families, and groups in a variety of contexts, including with youth and in health, education, and cross-cultural settings. She has taught trainee counselors and psychotherapists for many years. Joleen has a private practice in Sydney and is particularly interested in attachment relationships from the perspective of interpersonal neurobiology, in working somatically with trauma, and in the fundamental and extraordinary wisdom of the bodymind. She can be reached at 17 Nolan Ave, Clovelly NSW 2031, Australia; email: [email protected].