The “EATA Guidelines to Start Your CTA Journey” is a comprehensive resource for individuals preparing to become Certified Transactional Analysts (CTA). It aims to help trainees reflect on their readiness, align their motivations, and approach the process with clarity and integrity before formally committing.
The journey is divided into four stages:
- Orientation & Exploration: Understanding the CTA structure, expectations, and community.
- Testing the Fit: Experimenting with supervision, journaling, and real-life application to assess alignment.
- Owning the Process: Taking responsibility for learning, engaging with supervisors, and integrating theory into practice.
- Formal Commitment: Signing the CTA contract, selecting a supervisor, and formalizing training.
Key requirements include 300 hours of training, 150 hours of supervision (75 formal), 750 hours of professional practice, and personal therapy (mandatory for psychotherapy). Eligible hours completed before signing the contract count if they meet EATA standards.
The guide encourages deep reflection on motivations, values, and readiness, emphasizing the non-linear nature of the journey. It highlights the importance of flexibility, self-respect, and commitment to growth. Ultimately, it invites trainees to approach the CTA path with intention, accountability, and a focus on becoming practitioners who embody presence, professionalism, and care.