Transactional Analysis (TA) is a theory of personality which became popular in the 1960s due to the best-selling success of a psychiatrist Eric Berne and his book “Games People Play”. Among many different therapeutic approaches TA is classified as a humanistic approach. In TA clients are helped to take responsibility for their own lives. The focus of the therapeutic work is on how the past might be distorting the here-and-now in the relationship with people and the therapist. The goal of TA therapy is to feel empowered “to fight the past in the present in order to assure the future”.

More about TA: www.itaaworld.org

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) emerged in the 1960s primarily as developed by a psychiatrist Aaron Beck to prevent psychological distress caused by negative or distorted thinking patterns. As CBT developed further, it started focusing on wider-range cognitive strategies rooted in learning theory. The first publication on CBT was “Cognitive therapy For Depression” published in 1979. It is very effective in changing negative thinking patterns and negative internal dialogue.

More about CBT: https://thinkcbt.com

Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) therapy was developed in the late 1970s and 1980s by a psychologist Marsha Linehan. It integrates elements of behaviourism, cognitive therapy, and dialectics (opposing viewpoints). DBT emphasises the balance between acceptance, change, and validation with respect to human feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. It is very effective in creating a reliable internal system for regulating emotions.

More about DBT: https://dbtselfhelp.com

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was created in late 1990s by a psychologist Steven C. Hayes and colleagues as discussed in the book “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change”. ACT focuses on developing psychological flexibility on the basis of mindfulness skills, cognitive defusion, personal values, and committed action taking. It is very effective in preventing burn out, maintaining good mental health for chronic conditions, and re-building self-esteem.

More about ACT: https://contextualscience.org