This article explores the healing process in three ways. First, it differentiates stress reactions from physical diseases and describes how the mind and body should collaborate to effect change and healing processes in the body. Second, it discusses how mind/body mechanisms are involved in healing and presents a case study in which relaxation and imagery techniques were used to increase awareness of the body and the release of tension and feelings stored in the body. “Positive imagery” (mental representations of reality) (Fezler, 1990) was used to help the client visualize being on the road to recovery. Third, the metaphor of a “wheel” is used to define the concept and theory of permission, which is then used to harness the mind in order to facilitate the healing process.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AllenJ. R.AllenB. A.BarnesG.HibnerB.KrauszR.MoisoC.WelchC.WelchS. (2005). The role of permission: Two decades later. In AllenJ. R.AllenB. A., Therapeutic journey: Practice and life (pp. 356–367). Oakland, CA: TA Press.
2.
AllenJ. R.BennettS.KearnsL. (2004). Psychological mindedness: A neglected developmental line in permissions to think. Transactional Analysis Journal, 34, 3–9.
3.
BerneE. (1972). What do you say after you say hello?: The psychology of human destiny.New York: Grove Press.
CassiusJ. (1977). Bioenergetics and TA. In JamesM. and Contributors, Techniques in transactional analysis for psychotherapists and counselors (pp. 272–282). New York: Addison-Wesley.
6.
Childs-GowellE. (1975). Transactional analysis and the body: Sensory stimulation techniques. Transactional Analysis Journal, 5, 148–151.
7.
CornellW. F. (1975). Wake up sleepy! Reichian techniques and script interventions. Transactional Analysis Journal, 5, 144–147.
8.
CornellW. F. (1997). Touch and boundaries in transactional analysis: Ethical and transferential considerations. Transactional Analysis Journal, 27, 30–37.
9.
CornellB. (2003). Babies, brain, and bodies. In SillsC.HargadenH. (Ed.), Ego states (Key concepts in transactional analysis: Contemporary views) (pp. 28–54). London: Worth Publishing.
10.
Del CasaleF. (2001). Supporting terminally ill patients and their families using refocalization psychology and transactional analysis. Transactional Analysis Journal, 31, 182–188.
11.
FezlerW. (1990). Imagery for healing, knowledge and power.New York: Simon & Schuster.
12.
GettyR. E. (1974). Recycling strokes: A health promoting procedure in therapy. Transactional Analysis Journal, 4(1), 10–12.
13.
HawkesL. (2007). The permission wheel. Transactional Analysis Journal, 37, 210–217.
InselP. M.RothW. T. (2000). Core concepts in health (8th ed.). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing.
16.
JaouiG. (1988, 1–2 March). Les permissions en AT [Permissions in TA]. Workshop presented by G. Jaoui, Paris, France.
17.
LawG. (2006). Mind, body, soul and spirit in transactional analysis: An Integral Approach to Relationships.Malvern, England: IMPACT.
18.
LenhardtV. (1984). Bioscripts. In SternE. (Ed.), TA: The state of the art: A European contribution (pp. 89–106). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Foris Publications.
19.
LigabueS. (1991). The somatic component of the script in early development. Transactional Analysis Journal, 21, 21–30.
SteereD. (1981). Body movement in ego states. Transactional Analysis Journal, 11, 335–345.
25.
TilneyT. (1998). Dictionary of transactional analysis.London: Whurr Publishers.
26.
Waldekranz-PiselliK. C. (1999). What do we do before we say hello? The body as the stage setting for the script. Transactional Analysis Journal, 29, 31–48.
27.
WoollamsS.BrownM. (1978). Transactional analysis: A modern and comprehensive text of TA theory and practice.Dexter, MI: Huron Valley Istitute Press.
