ABSTRACT
The concept of contracts is fundamental to the practice of transactional analysis in all fields of application. Eric Berne worked with "contracts" in his therapy practice, which clearly defined the role of the caregiver and the role of the client. In transactional analysis (TA) psychotherapy the contract is formulated in such a way that it provides an alternative to the script. Relational TA takes a new perspective on contracting in therapy. An important aspect of relational work is uncertainty, or "bounded instability", and a firm contract for outcomes early in the relationship is potentially a limit on the therapeutic process. The process contract attends to the "how" of the therapeutic work and relationship. A process contract seeks to foster the development of a therapeutic alliance, while including an agreement for either party to address anything that may interfere with or weaken the alliance.
