www. Karpman Drama Triangle . com

The original Drama Triangle article reprint and selected

Transactional Analysis articles by Dr. Karpman

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The International Transactional Analysis Association annual conference was held last year in San Francisco on the weekend of August 8 – 12, co-sponsored by the USATAA (click links on the left). Over a half dozen lectures and workshops were presented daily during each time period. Continuing Education Credits were avaliable. An introductory T.A. 101 course was given offering the basics in Transactional Analysis. A new 101 introductory T.A. DVD will be available for purchase later this year from the USATAA website. The conference was a great success attended by 300 therapists and trainees from 40 countries. Below are some of the photographs taken at the conference and at the Saturday night banquet dance. Click on photos to save them. Below(bottom right) I'm selling artwork with the proceeds donated to the USATAA. Over 70 paintings were sold to members in 8 countries. Click link on left for artwork website.


At the August conference I presented two workshops:

  1. A didactic/experiential 3 hour workshop on “Game Free Communication for Couples, part two” using a variety of my new relationship concepts was given on Thursday August 9. A 1.5 hour DVD will be available for purchase on this website this year. The worksheets are available now for free downloads on the link on the left.
  2. A 1.5 hour lecture with experiential exercises on “Drama Triangle 2007” was presented on Saturday August 11. The DVD of this will be available for purchase on this website this year. "The New Drama Triangles" worksheets are available now for free downloads on the link on the left. 

The notes and diagrams for the two workshops are posted on the link on the left. This is the description of the Drama Triangle workshop I wrote for the CEU requirements at the conference:

Over these forty years there have been a dozen variations and changes in the use of the Drama Triangle by the author and by the contributions of others.  Some of these can be seen in the 15,000 links on Google, many to uses in codependency and specific jobs and situations.  Also included are T.A. uses in the redefining hexagon, the miniscript triangle, the OK triangle, the compassion triangle and the10% solution, manipulation and propaganda triangles, trapping bonds, escape routes, partner triangles and more.
The blank center of the triangle is now used to display the hidden feelings and motivations of the psychological self during games.  This can include the withheld escalations awaiting their chance to display their choice of first or second or third degree game payoffs.
A new tiny scripting triangle from the family "script scene" can be drawn in the interior center and called the redecision triangle or the transference triangle, operating deep behind the scenes and directing choices during those acting out dramas that seek script payoffs.
As a teaching aid, voluntary safe small group exercises will give participants the experience of switching roles during drama using their own selected safe topics.
CEU goals offered:  Participants will learn how people can get trapped and bonded Into drama, and how to use the escape routes to achieve game free openness and honesty.  This can be pointed out in group or individual therapy and taught to clients for social control.  The therapy contract can include awareness and avoidance of negative drama.

In addition to my 101 lecture and the two workshops described above I have presented keynotes in Arkansas and Florida last year. Please click "Email me" on the left for my workshop and lecturing topics and rates. I have lectured widely in the US and 12 countries abroad. I am in private practice in San Francisco.

About the ITAA:
The ITAA is the parent organization of Transactional Analysis, founded by Eric Berne, M.D. in the early 1960’s with membership now in 65 countries worldwide.  The ITAA purpose is to advance the theory, methods and principles of Transactional Analysis.   At left there is a link to the ITAA (International Transactional Analysis Association in Oakland, CA USA Telephone (925) 600-8110) for further information on membership, advanced training in T.A., books, introductory books, and videotapes for sale and translations in many languages.  The search features can locate members and training centers worldwide.   I have a training tape for sale there called "Game Free Communication For Couples" featuring myself and many recent ideas not found in the articles posted on this website.