ABSTRACT
Iatrogenic shaming can inadvertently be activated through the poor application of a great number of therapeutic concepts, but within TA, the potential for iatrogenic shaming seems to occur most frequently through lack of skillful application of the following concepts or tools. Attempting to do decontamination through exhortation or an excessively "educational" approach to the therapy can be experienced by the client as being Parental. The areas in which a client is discounting can be enormously illuminating, and indeed not confronting the discount can reveal a lot of information regarding the client's patterns of defence. Analysis of transactions can be helpful in minimizing iatrogenic shaming. In summary, the therapist needs to be attentive to their way of relating to their client, and to account for the impact of their communication upon the client to minimize the potential for reinforcing script through iatrogenic shaming.
