Evaluation of Integrative Counselling Psychology and Transactional Analysis in Primary Care Health Setting

The objective of the study was to evaluate Transactional Analysis and Integrative Counselling Psychology as treatments within a health setting. The research was a naturalistic study, based in real clinical settings. The 12 session treatment was evaluated using standardised outcome measures, as well as the Working Alliance Inventory (Horvath, 1986) to reflect the emphasis on the therapeutic relationship within both therapeutic approaches. The research demonstrated that severity of problems was reduced using these treatments within the primary care health setting, and that severity of symptoms predicted outcomes. Working alliance increased as therapy progressed but was not directly related to the outcomes. This research suggests that Transactional Analysis and Integrative Counselling Psychology could be used as effective psychological therapies in primary health care, for clients presenting with anxiety and depression, as well as the wider range of difficulties in functioning.