Selling over 25,000 copies across three editions, this book provides an unrivalled introduction to the core concepts and basic techniques of Transactional Analysis (TA). Ian Stewart guides the reader step-by-step through the successive stages in using TA to create therapeutic change, building understanding of the way the approach works in real-life practice. Key features of this new edition include: -a single extended case study running through the book -'Key ideas' panels to summarize the main ideas in each section -Detailed discussion of 'closing the escape hatches': TA's distinctive approach to resolving the issues of suicide, self-harm or violence -Practice Checklists offering suggested questions readers can use to appraise their own work with clients at strategic points in the text - Space for Reflection sections and Further Reading lists to conclude each chapter. This bestselling textbook offers trainee and practising psychotherapists and counsellors a concise, hands-on exploration of current concepts and techniques in Transactional Analysis. Ian Stewart is Co-Director of The Berne Institute, Nottingham. He is the author of Eric Berne (SAGE, 1992) and Developing Transactional Analysis Counselling (SAGE, 1996), and co-author of TA Today (2nd edn, Lifespace, 2012).