Transactional Analysis Theory - Impasses

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Impasses

Impasse means a deadlock or landing in a situation with no exit in sight. It also means a difficult situation in which it is impossible to make progress. It means being stuck or being in a dilemma. It also means experience of stuckness.

The concept and theory of impasses was introduced to Transactional Analysis by the Gouldings through their work on injunctions and redecision. Impasses are not only manifest in psychiatric patients they are also manifest in training and therapy processes. TA provides for the resolution of the latter by use of supervision.

Three types of impasses are suggested by Ken Mellor. They are:

     Type 1 between Parent and Child ego states;
     Type 2 between P₁ and C₁ and 
     Type 3 betwen P₀ and C₀. 

They are shown in the diagram in figure 20.

Figure 20

Type 1 impasse results from response to counter-injunction, type 2 from response to injunction and type 3 to early infancy-early childhood injunctions or between AC and FC.

Example of Type 1 Impasse: Internal Parent directs Child to be working hard to do things perfectly well (a Be Perfect Driver directive). The affected person however makes an attempt to complete the work well enough but in a hurry and enjoy his time with friends. An impasse may result.

Example of Type 2 Impasse:  A person at a party wants to parade his recent achievement. His friend calls him to the middle of the gathering to make an announcement. The person's P₁ holds him back at somatic level - the 'Don't be Important' injunction becomes operative. The person struggles to gain importance. In the process this impasse results.

Example of Type 3 Impasse:  A person in his childhood was not given the opportunity to be held close by his mother because she was hospitalised and spent many months recovering with delivery issues. The person took the injunction Don't be Close in infancy. He is away in Switzerland on a holiday with his friends. It is very cold. His friends invite him into a large blanket with others so that he can feel warm. At head level he wants to, however at deep somatic level he is held back, resulting from an impasse.

Some impasse types also arise between functional ego states. CP-AC and NP-FC.

Example: The internal Punitive Parent directs the Adapted Child to be nice and helpful to his wife, who is preparing food for visitors. He hears his father's voice: Hey there, why are you sitting and whileing away your time? Go help your wife. The Nurturing Parent releases a counter message simultaneously. (This is from his mother in his childhood). Don't bother about anything. She is competent and she will manage. The person experiences stuckness.  

Impasse situations also result between therapist and the client. They are of three types:

1. Transference - Counter-transference: It shows up in Client-Therapist and trainee-trainer situations. The client interacts from his Child whereupon the therapist moves to and responds from the Parent. This occurs from the therapist side unawarely. The therapist participates in the client's script.

2. Parallel-process: In supervision sessions the therapist comes with his issues. He draws the supervisor into the therapist's script. In doing so he usually takes on the same role the client took with regard to the therapist. In so doing the therapist makes an effort to divert attention from the goal of supervision. The supervisor reveals the parallel process to the therapist whereupon the therapist in awareness proceeds to make a contract.

3. Projective Identification: This brings about a binding between the therapist and the client at a deep unconscious level.

* Clarke's Dictionary of Transactional Analysis. 

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