Early decisions and redecions. Reflections on this statement by Meyer Friendman, M.D.

“Changing your Type A Behavior (and beliefs) will be one of the hardest things you will do in your life.”

Authors

  • John R. McNeel

Keywords:

Redecision, psychotherapy, transactional analysis, Type A

Abstract

The article focuses on the process that starts from archaic descisions (Decisions of Despair and Decisions of Challenge) and leads to Redecision. The link between Type A behaviors and injunctive messages and the importance of replacing negative habits with new conscious choices is explored. The work explores some differences between the original thinking of Bob and Mary Goulding and the evolution of the Redecisional model developed over the years by McNeel.

The article shows how healing occurs through the resolution of injunctive messages and highlights the main factors to promote this process, such as the power of self-compassion and the possibility of choosing healthier and more positive behaviors to improve one's life.

The Appendix consists of the most recent version of the extensive Tables that summarize the concepts developed by McNeel and the descriptive elements that allow their clinical use.

Author Biography

John R. McNeel

John R. McNeel, PhD, MDiv, is a licensed psychologist practicing in San Jose, California. He is a Teaching Member of the ITAA, a past member of the ITAA Board of Trustees, a recipient of the Eric Berne Memorial Award, and a past editor of the Transactional Analysis Journal. He was on the faculty of the Western Institute for Group and Family Therapy in Watsonville, California. The history of his training with Bob and Mary Goulding can be found on his website (www.aspiringtokindsness.com) along with other unpublished articles on redecision therapy.

References

Alexander F., & French T. (1946). Psychoanalytic Therapy: Principles and Application. Ronald Press.

Dostoyevsky F. (1912). The Brothers Karamazov. William Heinemann

Friendman M., (1996) Type A Behavior: Its Diagnosis and Treatment. Plenum Press.

Goulding, M. M., & Goulding, R. L. (1979). Changing lives through redecision therapy. Brunner-Routledge.

Hugo, V. (1863). Les misérables. C. Lassalle.

McNeel J. (2021). From Cure to Healing: Rethinking the nature of Cure Within in a Redecision Perspective. Transactional Analysis Journal, 51(3),216,225

McNeel, J. (2020). Aspiring to Kindness: Transforming Male Type A Behavior. www.aspiringtokindness.com

Watzlawick, P. (1987). If you desire to see, learn how to act. In Zeig J. (1987). Evolution Of Psychotherapy. Routledge.

Zeig, J. (1987). Evolution of psychotherapy: The 1st conference. Routledge.

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Published

2023-12-31

How to Cite

McNeel, J. R. (2023). Early decisions and redecions. Reflections on this statement by Meyer Friendman, M.D.: “Changing your Type A Behavior (and beliefs) will be one of the hardest things you will do in your life.”. PSICOLOGIA, PSICOTERAPIA E BENESSERE, 2(2-3), 207–241. Retrieved from https://www.psicologiapsicoterapiaebenessere.it/index.php/ppb/article/view/38

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2-3 (2023)

Section

Studi e Ricerche

License

Copyright (c) 2023 PSICOLOGIA, PSICOTERAPIA E BENESSERE

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