Transactional analysis is a way of understanding the different parts within us – child, parent, adult – and our fixed beliefs in our relationships with others.

We can find ourselves behaving and feeling the way we did as a child, or we may imitate parents or authority figures in our lives. At other times, we are able to feel in charge of our lives, capable, confident and grown-up.

'Transactional analysis' is a way to think about the different parts that are in us and that are brought out by other people in our lives. For example, you may find yourself quaking in your boots whenever your boss enters the room, or you may realise that you feel compelled to tell your partner off for not doing things right.

Seeing things from this perspective can bring insight and create choices that help you to have more satisfying relationships, both with yourself and with others.