YTCi - CTA exam preparation

I qualified as a CTA in 1990, and 34 years later I am still loving TA, theory, practice and being a member of the international TA community, in which I and my colleagues in YTCi are actively involved.

TA training is a relational process with the goal of personal and professional development and transformation. This approach is reflected in the articles I have written and posted on this website -
articles .

TA training can lead to a professional qualification as a Certified Transaction Analyst. (CTA). Since the onset of the covid pandemic we have been impressed by how effective online training, supervision coaching and psychotherapy is. Therefore we have created this website with the focus on our online work. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions.

Dave Spenceley TSTA - February 2024

CTA - Exam Preparation with YTCi -- online or in person.

Exam prep can me made with individual sessions, or small group,

Dave runs an online CTA exam prep group which is meeting for 10 days during 2025.

The contract for this group is that each session will focus on CTA exam preparation in the psychotherapy or counselling field. In advance of each group meeting the members are invited to send: Transcripts of client work with “front sheets”  and excerpts from their written exams for feedback prior to the workshop.

For the CTA examination you will need to prepare a 24,000 word written exam, and after your succesful written examination you will need to prepare for the CTA oral examination - which requires 3 recordings of your work with clients.

Dave and Uta are extremely experienced examiners for the CTA examination, with Uta recently running the WEW for EATA - this is the training workshop for examiners which EATA require all examiners to attend.

We can also organise small online groups or if you can travel to Nürnberg in Germany then we can also meet for in person groups either in Schwabach / Fürth where we are based.

Bucharest exam prep group 2024 dates:

  • October 29 / 39 (10-1) - online
  • Nov 19 - online
  • Dec 10 - in person
2025 - Online CTA exam prep group online: 10 - 6 German time.

  • Jan - 21
  • Feb - 18
  • Mar - 18
  • Apr - 15
  • May - 13
  • Jun - 10
  • Sep - 23
  • Oct - 21
  • Nov - 18
  • Dec - 16

Exam prep group entry requirements:
  • A commitment to taking the CTA examination.
  • A valid EATA training contract.
  • A minimum of 75 % of the EATA requirements for the CTA examination.
  • A YTCi diploma or equivalent.
  • Participants commit to being in the group until they pass their CTA examination or for a minimum of one year.
  • Following their success the member will return to the group one more time to celebrate together
Group Requirements:
  • Regular attendance and participation in the training groups - a certificate of  attendance can be awarded for attendance to the training groups. To receive the certificate of attendance for each module you must attend a minimum of 75% of the module.
  • Maintain an up to date training log, which includes self reflections on experience of training, supervision, therapy and practice of TA.
  • Members of the group are required to be members of their national TA association and to comply with the requirements and ethical standards of EATA.
  • The YTCi training Director has the final say in whether trainees can continue in membership of the group
Online - Then please read the page regarding the requirements for online zoom meetings

YTCi Diploma in TA Applications:
  • As recognition for your professional application of TA we have created the  YTCi diploma in TA applications.
  • See the diploma page for details.
  • Completion of the YTCi diploma is is a requirement to join the examination preparation group.
CTA Qualification as a psychotherapist or in the counselling field:
  • External EATA examinations and qualification as a Transactional Analyst Psychotherapist.  
  • See the EATA training handbook for details of the exam requirements, structure and process.
  • See section 5 of the EATA handbook for a description of the 4 fields of of TA including psychotherapy and counselling.
Accreditation: is by the European Association of Transactional Analysis, (EATA) which is registered in Switzerland as a non-profit organisation. This body administers standards in competency based international examinations for qualification as Transactional Analysts.

EATA exam application process - a YTCi pdf overview of the steps to be taken when applying for the CTA examination:

TA Qualifications
a. TSTA Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst.
b. PTSTA Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst
c. CTA Certified Transactional Analyst.
Cost for 2025:

  • €2600 when you are funded or when living and working outside of Romania and 7000 Ron for those living in Romania or Eastern Europe and are self funding.
  • When you are self funding it is possible to pay by instalments - if this would enable you to attend the training: For example 700 Ron deposit when submitting your letter of application followed by 9 further monthly payments of 700 Ron.  
  • Please note that payments are for membership and not for attendance and once your membership of the group is agreed the whole years fees become due - the allowance to pay by instalments is an exception
  • See the YTCi payments page for details of methods of payments and the administration contract regarding the payment of fees and cancellation policies. There are several methods of payment - please ask for details.