Comparison of Transactional Analysis Group and Individual Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

This article compares outcomes of transactional analysis individual and group psychotherapy for depression and anxiety within two public clinics in the United Kingdom. The research was a naturalistic, open-label trial with no control group and limited randomization. The analysis focused on treatment outcomes for clients who presented for therapy within the clinical range for depression (PHQ-9 = 10) and anxiety (GAD-7 = 8). The outcomes show the reduction of symptoms with a large effect size for both depression (individual ES = 1.22; group ES = 1.14) and anxiety (individual ES = 1.67; group ES = 1.05). There were no significant differences between group and individual therapy in the length of therapy, effect size, or the Reliable and Clinically Significant Change Index (Individual RCSI for depression: individual = 44.1%, group = 1.4%; for anxiety: individual = 36.8%, group = 37.1%). These outcomes are consistent with national health benchmarks within the United Kingdom (Gyani, Shafran, Layard, & Clark, 2013) and suggest that transactional analysis psychotherapy is a good treatment option for moderate anxiety and depression as either individual or group therapy. A replication or a larger, controlled trial would be needed to further investigate full efficacy of these approaches. Further qualitative research would be beneficial in understanding the depth of the therapeutic process and clients’ choices to engage in either group or individual therapy.

• transactional analysis psychotherapy
• group psychotherapy
• anxiety
• depression

Notes

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

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ciara Wild

Author Biographies

Biljana van Rijn, DPsych, Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy), is a TA tutor, psychotherapist, and supervisor working in private practice and at Metanoia Institute. As a Faculty Head of Applied Research and Clinical Practice at Metanoia Institute, she has developed a research clinic and is actively engaged in a number of psychotherapy research projects. Biljana can be reached at Metanoia Institute, 13 North Common Rd., London W13 2QB, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].

Ciara Wild, MSc Forensic Psychology, is Coordinator of Clinical and Research Services at Metanoia Institute. In this role she has engaged in a number of research projects within the Faculty of Applied Research and Clinical Practice. Ciara can be reached at Flat 7 Woodbridge House, 145 Mornington Rd., Leytonstone, London E11 3DZ, United Kingdom; email: [email protected].