Alana Burton

I am a qualified Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist (CTA), UKCP registered and Senior Accredited with the BACP. I am also a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (PTSTA), which means that alongside clinical practice I supervise and support the development of other therapists.

People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons. You might be struggling with something that is happening now, trying to make sense of something from your past, or wondering why you keep finding yourself in similar situations or relationship patterns.

I work relationally, which means I am interested not only in what has happened to you, but in how those experiences may have shaped the way you see yourself and relate to others. I will support you, but I will also gently challenge you when I think that might be useful. The aim is not simply to understand why things are the way they are, but to help you have more choice about how you want to live now.

Therapy can vary in length. Sometimes people come with something quite specific they want to work through. At other times, it can be useful to work at greater depth, particularly where difficulties or patterns have developed over many years.

We can talk about what feels right for you when we first meet. You don't need to have this all worked out before getting in touch.

Session Days and Times

I offer daytime and limited evening appointments from my practice in Washington, West Sussex (RH20).

My Approach

My main approach is Transactional Analysis (TA), an established form of therapy that helps us understand how our experiences have shaped who we are, how we relate to other people and some of the patterns we find ourselves repeating.

I have a particular interest in relationships, relational trauma and the ways earlier experiences can continue to show themselves in our lives now. Therapy is a space to look more closely at what sits underneath those patterns and strategies and what might allow something to change.

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. 

I currently have a space available in a Supervision group running on Monday mornings in RH20. Get in touch to find out more. 

As a qualified supervisor I work with people working with different modalities as well as in my primary modality of TA. 

I see supervision as 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.

Supervision plays a critical role in ongoing professional growth, helping therapists deliver safe and competent care. It is also a valuable way to ensure a practitioner is maintaining an ethical and effective practice. 

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.