The Six Advantages to Games and Their Use in Treatment

Abstract

Eric Berne (1964) identified six reasons for games: biological, existential, internal psychological, external psychological, internal social, and external social. These six “reasons” provide the therapist with important information about problems that must be resolved in therapy. Just as a person's physiological system maintains homeostasis in various environments, so the individual develops a psychological homeostatic balance early in life. Once calibrated, this homeostasis is maintained even when current reality differs greatly from circumstances in the family of origin. As a result, psychotherapy can be seen as a recalibration process. To be effective, each major factor involved in the original homeostasis must be recalibrated. However, sometimes a shift in one or two factors will move other factors to a new and improved position. For maximum effectiveness, a psychotherapist must consider and facilitate change in each of these six areas as needed throughout the course of treatment.