Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis (TA)
We are delighted to offer the Foundation Year course for our next intake – a fully in-person course starting in September 2025. We are now accepting applications.
Foundation Year students 2023-24
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Would you like to train as a Psychotherapist or Counsellor?
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Are you interested in personal growth and in understanding how people and relational dynamics can change?
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Would you like to learn new models of communication that can improve your understanding of yourself and others, in all areas of your life?
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Are you interested in taking Transactional Analysis to the next level after the TA101?
The Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for!
Directors of Training Fiona Cook, PTSTA and Fiona Firman PTSTA introduce the Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis
About the Course
The Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis is the first year in our Counselling and Psychotherapy training programme, and it can also be taken as a stand-alone training experience:
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for personal development
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to enhance existing knowledge and training as a psychotherapist or counsellor
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to facilitate your work in an organisation that requires interaction with others
The Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis continues the style of the TA101 workshop, providing interactive and dynamic training to enable you to apply the core concepts of TA theory to yourself and your environment.
You may discover more options for relating with others, ways of resolving conflict and possibilities for change in your own life experience. The focus is on applying the core theory to your own process and your interactions with the trainer and the training group, enabling you to develop your understanding of yourself and others.
Aggie Carruthers shares a glimpse into her TA journey
Components of the Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis
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8 modules of Foundation Year Training
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Introduction to Counselling Skills module
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Physis Get Together Day
Note: TA101 is a prerequisite for enrolling in the Foundation Year
Applications for 2025
The Foundation Certificate course length is 20 days over the academic year. It can be carried out in-person or online.
2025/2026 In-person Foundation Year course dates
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26th/27th/28th September 2025
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25th/26th October 2025
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22nd/23rd November 2025
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20th/21st December 2025
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24th/25th January 2026
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21st/22nd February 2026
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21st/22nd March 2026
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18th April 2026
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23rd/24th May 2026
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27th/28th June 2026
Our in-person training days start at 9.30am and finish at 5pm
The application deadline is 5th September 2025.
Course fees
The annual course fee for the Foundation Year programme for 2025/2026 is £2950 (inc. VAT).
Physis Scotland is committed to making training accessible and inclusive, therefore a 3-month payment plan or a 10-monthly payment plan is available – please do talk to us if this is of interest to you.
Full details of course costs and associated training costs (eg for therapy, student memberships etc) can be found on our fees page.
Course tutors
Any questions?
If you have any further questions about the course please contact
enquiries@physisscotland.co.uk
or telephone Christina Ching, Academic Administrator, on 07927 557 217.
Location
In-person at Physis Scotland,
22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN
Course Content
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Philosophy of TA, Life Positions, Ego-States (Structural Model), Counselling Skills
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Ego-States (Functional Model), Transactions and Strokes
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Life Script and Script Analysis
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Passivity, Discounting, Symbiosis and Frame of Reference
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Racket Analysis and Authentic Emotions
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Hungers, Time Structuring and Game Analysis
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Contracting
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Endings in Counselling, Ethics, Presentations and Peer Assessment
Each Foundation Year training weekend will invite reflection on systemic, political, social, environmental, ecological, cultural and intersectional contexts (as relevant).
Assessment
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One 3000 word essay
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One 2500 word presentation supporting essay
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A 10-15 minute presentation (including supporting documentation)
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Evidence of reflective learning journal
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Minimum of 85% attendance
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Observed skills practice
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Ongoing participation in group discussion and process
Personal Therapy
A minimum of 40 hours of personal therapy per year is a requirement for those wanting to progress into advanced clinical training. Whilst personal therapy is not a requirement in Foundation Year, we strongly recommend it in order to get the most from the programme.
Pre-course requirements
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Completion of a TA 101 course
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A degree and/or equivalent life and work experience
We strive to be as inclusive, fair and flexible as possible, and will consider experience and skills acquired through voluntary work, work experience and parenting when reviewing applications.
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How do I apply
The Foundation Year information booklet and application form are available to download from the links above. Once we receive your application form we will invite you for an informal interview, which will take place online.
The informal interview is an assessment of the suitability of your personal qualities, relevant experience and development goals, as well as covering important information about the course. It will also allow us to get to know each other and for you to ask any questions about the course.
Finally, if you are successful at the interview, we will contact you personally to advise you of your place on the course, subject to satisfactory references.
Places are limited and from our experience, we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. The application deadline for our in-person course is 5th September 2025.
Recognition
On successful completion of Foundation Year you will be awarded a Physis Scotland Foundation Certificate and will be eligible to progress into Advanced Year 1.
Beyond the Foundation Year / Certificate in Transactional Analysis
If you find that you are really “bitten by the TA bug” at the end of the year you can opt to continue your TA journey through any of the options offered by Physis Scotland – Diploma in Counselling using TA or qualification as a Certified Transactional Analyst Psychotherapist (CTA) and/or UKCP registered Psychotherapist.
