Our TA 101 is our in-person workshop, delivered over 2-days that is an internationally recognised and agreed syllabus.
A stand-alone course, with a standardised syllabus agreed by international TA organisations, recognised by the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA) and the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA). Participants will be awarded an officially recognised TA 101 certificate upon completion.
TA101 can sound a bit abstract from the outside, but in practice it’s very human, practical, and engaging. Some of the benefits include:
- Developing a deeper understanding of why you think, feel, and react the way you do, especially in stressful or emotional situations.
- Recognising unhelpful patterns (people-pleasing, rescuing, conflict avoidance, power struggles)
- Building emotional literacy — understanding feelings in yourself and others, managing them better, and responding rather than reacting
- The course encourages responsibility, reflection, and growth
You will be introduced to core TA concepts:
- Ego states (Parent, Adult, Child)
- Transactions (how communication flows)
- Life positions (I’m OK / You’re OK)
- Strokes (recognition & validation)
- Psychological games (repeating unhelpful patterns)
After each concept, there will be space to:
- reflect quietly
- discuss in pairs or small groups
- share insights with the wider group (if you wish)
This course can also be a taster for longer TA psychotherapy courses at Iron Mill College and is a pre-requisite for those who wish to go on to study TA at an advanced level.
If you want to study TA Psychotherapy to qualify as a psychotherapist, click here to view our Certificate in Transactional Analysis Theory and Practice foundation course.
Course dates and fees
General admission: £200
IMC students/Graduates: £150
Upcoming Courses
All TA101 course dates are available here
Full attendance on both days is needed to receive a TA101 completion certificate.
Meet the tutor(s)
Dr Briony Nicholls
DPhil, MA (Oxon), BA, Diploma TA Psychotherapy, CTA(P), TSTA(P), UKCP Reg.
Briony is a psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice in addition to her role as a TA trainer. She has a specialist interest in psychiatric disorders and their treatment, in neuroscience, and in psychological approaches to sports performance.
Briony's qualifications include a Diploma in TA Psychotherapy and a Doctorate in Psychology. She is a Certified Transactional Analyst (Psychotherapy) and a Provisional Training and Supervising Transactional Analyst with a psychotherapy speciality. Briony is also registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and is a member of the UK Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA).
Rosie Harris
Rosie is a Transactional Analyst Psychotherapist working in the Exeter area. Since 2016 she has been in private practice as well as working for the University of Exeter within their Wellbeing team.
Rosie is trained in a relational approach to TA, with a focus on contact, embracing uncertainty and a strong model of understanding the development of self. She works both short and long term and takes special interest in working sensitively with intersectionality. She is dedicated to offering relational contact, enthusiasm for learning and awareness of individual needs in her approach. Rosie has been involved with the teaching team and promotion of the TA courses at the Iron Mill for several years and takes great pleasure in her work sharing TA with trainees. TA has good tools for understanding internal and interpersonal patterns. Using an attuned and empathic approach, TA can be profound in understanding these relational patterns allowing clients to examine these with compassion and with consideration move forward.
Qualifications: BSc Psychology from the University of Warwick, Certified Transactional Analyst with Psychotherapy speciality - CTA(P)
Karen Minikin
MSc., BA (Hons)., Dip Sup, CTA (P), TSTA (P), UKCP reg.
Karen has a clinical and supervision practice in Wellington, West Somerset. She teaches TA Psychotherapy at the Iron Mill, as well as visiting other TA teaching venues. She has served on council and a range of committees with her national organisation and is currently a co-editor for the Transactional Analysis journal. She specialises in radical and relational approaches in psychotherapy and has offered consultancy on systemic processes related to power dynamics and diversity. Previously, Karen was a geography teacher of 11 - 18 year olds and a learning and development consultant.
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Counselling, MSc Psychotherapy, Dip. Supervision (Psychodynamic), UKCP reg, Training and Supervising Transactional Analyst.
Pippa Fairhead
Pippa Fairhead is a Transactional Analyst (TA) Psychotherapist and Supervisor, registered with the UKCP in both capacities.
She works as an integrative practitioner, drawing primarily on relational TA while also incorporating approaches such as dream work, mindfulness, and metaphor. Her therapeutic approach is guided by her experience and training, tailoring the work to best support each individual client.
Pippa is a qualified teacher with a PGCertHE in Teaching and Learning in Counselling and Psychotherapy and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She is currently the module lead for the Dissertation year of the Humanistic MSc at Metanoia Institute. Her recent teaching roles include serving as the primary tutor for the Transactional Analysis psychotherapy training at Connexus Institute and as a visiting tutor on the TA psychotherapy training at Iron Mill.
Qualifications:FHEA : PGCertHE : PTSTA (P) : Dip Sup : CTA (P) : Dip Couns
