ABSTRACT
Decontamination and deconfusion are therapeutic processes frequently discussed by transactional analysts, which, along with redecision form the ‘backbone’ or central tasks of transactional analysis (TA) therapy. Decontamination and deconfusion are two discrete, yet often interlinked and overlapping processes. Beginners to TA therapy sometimes struggle with understanding the difference between the two concepts and the processes involved in them. Structurally speaking, decontamination is a process involving the Adult ego state, and deconfusion is a process involving the Child ego state. Much of what transactional analysts describe as decontamination has a great deal in common with the methods of cognitive therapy. Decontamination can be considered in many ways a cognitive therapy process, and indeed a number of cognitive-behavioural methods can be used successfully for decontamination. Another way of thinking about the difference between decontamination and deconfusion relates to the process of development of script decisions.
