Transactional Analysis and the Neurobiology of Trauma: An Ego State Model

The author describes a model for conceptualizing the intrapsychic process that occurs during acute moments of trauma. Combining knowledge from the field of interpersonal neurobiology with transactional analysis (TA), the model looks at two stages of trauma: the initial response followed by total disassociation. To conceptualize the initial response to a perceived threat, the model combines structural ego states (including the fourth order) and relational units to consider a phenomenon known as the “fear/habit paradox.” The second-order structural ego state model is then adapted to conceptualize dissociation. A case example is used to illustrate each stage.