Alana Burton

I am a Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist (CTA) and a  registered member of the UKCP. I work with people to identify problem areas in their life and to resolve emotional distress/discomfort through understanding and positive change.

In my work I provide a safe and supportive environment to help people achieve a greater degree of personal autonomy, increase spontaneity and intimacy with themselves and others, and I will gently challenge old paradigms to allow people to explore a more fulfilling life going forward.

On a shorter term we can work to focus on a particular area or issue and in longer-term work we can do more in-depth psychotherapeutic work to explore and understand certain patterns and ways of being in your life that may need changing or revising in some way.

What is best for you is something we can discuss together in our first meeting.

Session Days and Times

I can offer daytime and limited evening appointments in Washington (RH20).

My Approach

My approach is in Transactional Analysis which is one of the most widely recognised modalities of psychotherapy aimed at promoting personal growth and change. It is a theory of personality and communication that helps us to understand who we are and how we came to be the person we are.

If there are certain unhealthy ways of behaving, thinking or feeling in your life, together we will look at exploring those further to see what it is you may want to update how you do things, see things or feel about particular issues. The focus in sessions is you and what you would like to gain from therapy and for this reason, therapy is tailored to your needs and presenting issues.

I have a therapy room in my home in Washington. There is privacy in and around my home and there is parking available on the drive and also on roads nearby. It is a quiet village and is easy to find.

In our first session together as an assessment session there is a chance for us both to find out more about each other. I will tell you about my practice, experience and what I offer and I will also take a detailed history from you to start to build an idea of our work together. There is also a chance to ask any questions you may have about starting therapy, how our work might look and what you can expect from our time together. Together we will establish a working agreement to work towards what it is you want to achieve in therapy. 

Counsellors and psychotherapists are often required by their professional organisations to participate in regular supervision to ensure they maintain ethical and effective practice. Supervision plays a critical role in ongoing professional growth, helping therapists deliver safe and competent care.

As a Transactional Analysis (TA) Supervisor, I see supervision as more than just checking in on clinical work. It’s a supportive, shared process where supervisees can reflect on their practice, build self-awareness, and grow both personally and professionally. Just like in my approach to TA therapy, the supervision I offer is rooted in building strong, respectful relationships.

I also believe that supervision isn't only about making sure someone is doing their job well — it also reflects the kind of relationship that happens between therapist and client. Relational TA focuses on the real connection between people, and that same idea is central to how I supervise. Supervision becomes a shared experience, where both the supervisor and supervisee are engaged, curious, and emotionally present. It’s not about one person being “above” the other, but about working together to understand the therapy more deeply.

This kind of supervision looks closely at the relationship between therapist and client, and also the one between supervisor and supervisee. It encourages therapists to think about how their own background and inner experiences show up in their work. By exploring these dynamics, supervisees can better understand their clients and themselves, leading to more honest, compassionate, and effective therapy.

Supervision serves many purposes, including promoting reflective practice, enhancing clinical skills, safeguarding client well-being, and supporting adherence to ethical standards. It is fundamental to being a responsible and effective mental health professional.

Supervision and TA Core Concepts

My supervisory practice is anchored in the core principles of Transactional Analysis, emphasising respect, transparency, and empowerment. I guide supervisees in evaluating their work using TA’s foundational concepts, such as ego states, life scripts, transactions, and games. I aim to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment where supervisees can openly explore challenges, ethical concerns, and uncertainties.

A key element of my supervision philosophy is fostering autonomy. I encourage supervisees to trust their clinical judgment while continuously questioning and expanding their understanding of both their clients and themselves. Supervision should provide a balance of support and challenge, helping therapists grow in both competence and self-awareness.

Frequency and Focus of Supervision

The frequency of supervision is shaped by the supervisee’s experience and the complexity of their work, with an emphasis on the quality of the supervisory relationship. For newer therapists, supervision tends to focus on developing skills and understanding core TA concepts. As therapists become more experienced, the supervision process becomes increasingly collaborative and exploratory, delving into deeper relational dynamics.

In the end, supervision is more than a professional requirement; it’s a vital relational space for therapists to reflect and deepen their understanding of both themselves and their clients. By encouraging mutual respect, transparency, and emotional attunement, supervision supports therapists in delivering ethical, relationally-sensitive, and effective care.