Diane Salters, President (2017 - 2018)

Diane Salters, MSc, TSTA (Psychotherapy), has been a member of the ITAA since the early 1980s.  She lived in the United Kingdom for 25 years where she received her TA training and integrative training at Metanoia. Twenty years ago she returned to her native South Africa where she now lives and works.  She is a recipient of the Hedges Capers Humanitarian Award.
      Diane has served on the ITAA Board of Trustees as regional representative for Africa, on the ethics committee, and as chair of the Eric Berne Fund for the Future and the Scholarship Fund committees. She is previously the VP for Research and Innovation and had a particular interest in the publication of The Script and the Transactional Analysis Journal.
      Diane values the international TA community and offers Skype supervision to trainees in various parts of the world. She is committed to maintaining the ITAA’s valuable role within that community.

A. Geethan, Treasurer (2015 - 2018)

Geethan is a PTSTA (Psychotherapy), holding a Masters in Psychology from the University of Madras. He practices psychotherapy in Chennai, India, and also consults organizationally to many companies across India. He has attended and presented his models in various international conferences and workshops. Geethan’s unique approach to therapy uses techniques and models from transactional analysis, Gestalt, NLP, hypnosis, CBT, and the analysis of recurrent dreams to decode the messages behind them.  As an organizational consultant, he combines his experience as an entrepreneur with the skills that he has mastered as a systemic strategist.  Geethan holds regular workshops on Enneagram, conflict resolution, and parenting for public and corporate organizations that help individuals raise self-awareness and actualize their potential. He writes regularly in various regional languages and in English newspapers, where he answers readers’ questions. Through his institute, "Nibbana Counselling and Psychotherapy Centre," Geethan dreams of creating more awareness in the general public about counseling and psychotherapy as a healthy choice rather than as a last resort for pathology.

Sumithra Sharatkumar, Secretary (2017 - 2020)

It is a great honor and privilege for me to become ITAA Secretary. I started my TA journey 15 years ago in Bangalore, India, where I received all of my training. After moving to Singapore, I joined the regional TA association (TAAS) and served as secretary on their executive committee for 5 years. My career in counseling has included both individual clients and group workshops on the use of TA in parenting. I was fortunate to cofound the Social Psychology Meet-Up Group of Singapore, where I had opportunities to organize group sessions on a variety of topics for young adults—from dating and office politics to advertising and more, all within a TA framework. I deeply treasure this multicultural experience because it taught me to think on my feet about the different ways TA concepts can be used effectively in real-life situations. I now live in Malaysia, and my work centers on parents, students, and teachers within a school community. I have served as the chair of the ITAA Nominations Committee since 2011 and have learned an immense amount about the workings, goals, and aspirations of the association. As secretary to the ITAA Board of Trustees, I will continue the good work done by my predecessors in spreading TA awareness to larger, more diverse audiences. Having already practiced counseling in different countries, I look forward to working with the various international organizations in the field using TA as a global language to connect countries and cultures.

Izumi Kadomoto, Vice President, Development (2017 - 2020)

Izumi Kadomoto is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) and a psychologist and psychotherapist in Tokyo, Japan. She has been working within the Japanese judicial system for over 20 years with thousands of delinquents and offenders. In this area, she is an author and translator of several books and articles. She uses transactional analysis as a tool in her work and since 1999 has been a member of the board of directors of the Transactional Analysis Association of Japan, serving to broaden and develop TA in Japan. Since Izumi began as a trainer in 2004, she has been interested in teaching/supervising and facilitating training groups in cooperation with many trainers from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Korea, and India. Working with professional people from various areas has been stimulating and joyful, and these experiences strongly motivate her to join the ITAA Board of Trustees.

Emily Keller, Vice President, Operations (2015 - 2018)

Emily Keller, PhD, was born in Paramaribo, Suriname, and grew up in the southeastern United States. Today she lives in North Carolina with her husband and four young boys. She works as a professional counselor at the Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy in Chapel Hill. In the past, Emily has served as communications coordinator for the United States of America Transactional Analysis Association (USATAA). She received her Transactional Analysis Advanced Practitioner (TAAP) certificate through the USA TA Association and is currently training toward becoming a Certified Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy). Her doctoral dissertation research was on using transactional analysis models and concepts to increase religious and spiritual competencies in counseling students, and she won a first-place research award for her presentation on using TA to enhance cross-cultural connections. Emily’s current hobbies include gardening to attract butterflies, birds, and bees. She also enjoys collecting tadpoles with her sons and has become an expert at patching knee holes in their pants.

Thorsten Geck, Vice President, Professional Standards (2015 - 2018)

Thorsten Geck (Germany) has a passion for TA that began with a TA 101 in 1995. He has a degree in psychology and is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst in the organizational field. He works as a freelance consultant in leadership development and organizational counseling. Thorsten is an EATA language coordinator and contributes to the scientific committee of the German TA Association (DGTA). His commitment to the ITAA goes back to 2012 when he was asked to cochair the International Board of Certification (IBOC). His main motivation for contributing and volunteering is his understanding that TA associations live and benefit from volunteering and giving back what members received during their training from mentors, examiners, audiences and supervisees, boards of trustees, presidents, and delegates. He writes, “I believe that transactional analysis will evolve and improve by linking to the real lives of clients, research, and maintaining standards. I perceive standards as an opportunity to maintain quality. The dark side of standards, however, should not be neglected. Standards create boundaries at which people and their interests may sometimes be left out and kept on the ‘other side of the fence.’ I understand that it is a challenge to balance flexibility and persistence regarding standards to maintain the good reputation TA has in the professional world. This is what I want to pursue in the position of VP Professional Standards.”

Elana Leigh, Vice President, Research & Innovation (2017 - 2018)

There are few coincidences in life, and the fact that after 14 years Elana Leigh, TSTA-P, returns to the role of ITAA Vice President Research & Innovation (having served two terms from 1993- 2003) is not one of them. She has agreed to take up this position for a year, after which a formal election will take place. She bring to this role 34 years of active engagement both within the ITAA and the broader transactional analysis community. One of her passions as a psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor, and member of humanity is the integration of old and new, always honoring history while respecting contemporary thinking and advancements. It is with this sensibility in these challenging times that she feels privileged to be entrusted to serve the long-standing transactional analysis community.

Alex van Oostveen, Regional Trustee, Africa (2015 - 2018)

Alex van Oostveen (South Africa) is a consultant, coach, and coach supervisor who currently serves as the vice chair of the South African TA Association. He has always been keenly interested in how people’s inner being impacts their doing, and transactional analysis has provided him with a number of clear perspectives on this that are applicable to individual and social contexts. He writes, “I have experienced and believe that TA is particularly effective in bringing peace, progress, and wholeness to Africa and its psychological dynamics. Africa has suffered centuries of injustice and tragedy that continue to manifest macro- and microscopically across the continent. The growing shift in awareness of global issues and technology’s positive impact on communication, travel, and education provide a powerful platform for turning our continent’s scripts around. Apart from advancing the use of TA in developing private individuals and their societies, its use in organizational environments will benefit African communities on a grand scale. TA provides a simple, tangible theory that can be grasped by those without higher education (a problem in Africa as a whole) and as such is ideal for helping people to make sense of themselves, each other, and the world around them. My intention as Africa representative will be to promote and support the use of TA at all levels of society so that it may act as a catalyst for Africa’s beautiful people to think, feel, and behave with awareness, self-worth, mutual respect, and authenticity.

Christine Kalin, Regional Trustee, Australasia (2017 - 2020)

I completed my CTA-P registration in 1999 in New Zealand and a TEW workshop in Sydney in 2015. I am currently in training as a PTSTA-P and am a member of the board of the Aotearoa New Zealand Transactional Analysis Association (ANZTAA). I operate a private psychotherapy practice in Auckland, New Zealand, and am registered in New Zealand as a nurse, a drug and alcohol treatment practitioner, and a psychotherapist. In addition to my clinical qualifications, I have a master’s degree in business and administration and a certificate in company direction (governance). I have enjoyed a successful 30-year career in the health sciences, which has included senior clinical and management roles in child, youth, and adult mental health and addiction services. Eleven of these years were in the capacity of CEO. I have always been passionate about TA, which has significantly informed my practice. As a member of the ITAA Board, I will bring a strong commitment to the purpose for which the association was established: to promote awareness and understanding of transactional analysis. I strive to work from a philosophical base of “I’m OK, You’re OK,” which supports me in working constructively within a team environment. I have a robust understanding of ethical, professional, and safe practice coupled with qualifications and experience in supporting this from a governance perspective.

Alessandra Pierini, Regional Trustee, Europe (2017-2020)

Alessandra Pierini, PhD, is a psychologist, psychotherapist, and Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) who lives and works in Rome, Italy. She is the editor of an Italian TA journal and the founder of the Physis Training Institute in Rome. Because the ITAA has greatly contributed to her professional growth, she is glad to express her gratitude by offering her services, passion, and competence as the European representative. Alessandra has been involved with her national TA association since 2003 as an executive committee member and later as president. She served as EATA Supervising Examiner (2010-2015) and worked to improve the quality of the evaluation process and to keep the standard of TA certification high. As a result of that role, she knows a good deal about the state of TA in Europe. Since becoming involved in TA in 1992, she has worked to spread it in Italy and Europe by attending conferences, running workshops, and participating in exams. Alessandra is interested in different ways of thinking about and using TA and how they can cooperate and enrich one another. She views the ITAA as an active international TA community that cares about members’ needs, is democratic, and that embodies the values of TA. Her goals as regional representative will include: being a bridge between ITAA and European members, facilitating communications between European members and the ITAA, (3) promoting the ITAA among Europeans, and (4) promoting effectiveness, cohesion, and recognition in the TA community.

Prathitha Gangadharan, Regional Trustee, India/Asia (2017 - 2020)

I have been a member of the ITAA for more than 6 years and in advanced TA training for 10 years. ITAA so far has been about the TAJ and The Script, which have helped me to understand TA theory and facilitated my work as a psychotherapist. I have benefited from being a part of the community in both a personal and a professional capacity.
I am glad to extend my role by becoming a regional representative member of the ITAA Board so that I can directly contribute to the community here. I hope to be a bridge between the ITAA and regional members, facilitating communications between the two and promoting effectiveness, cohesion, and recognition in the TA community. As a regional representative, I want to play a key role in addressing queries, issues, and suggestions that emerge in this region. TA is a simple framework that, combined with local philosophies on health, can be propagated to promote wholeness and wellness. I want to spread the message in our region so that it benefits the community, and I hope to learn and grow in the process.

William Holloway, Regional Trustee, Latin America (2016 - 2018)

Bill is a psychiatrist, educator, and organizational consultant, retired since 1988 from active medical practice in California and now residing in Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil, where he holds the title of Presidente de Honra, Instituto Brasileiro de Análise Transacional.
      Bill earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949 and subsequently served in the military as Major, U.S. Air Force Hospital Commander from 1949-54.  He did his psychiatric residency in Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.A., from 1954-57, after serving as director of the Akron, Ohio, Community Mental Health Center from 1957-61.  After teaching as Associate Professor of Psychiatry for Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University, he graduated in 1968 from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, in New York City, with a certificate in Psychoanalysis in Groups, then became a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.  He was President of the Ohio Psychiatric Association from 1969-70, later honored as a Distinguished Life Fellow by the American Psychiatric Association.
      In 1972, Bill founded the Midwest Institute for Human Understanding, a TA training facility in Medina, Ohio, and that same year joined the ITAA, becoming a Clinical Teaching Member in 1974.  He chaired the Training Standards Committee and created first ITAA training manual.  From 1976-1978 he was President of the ITAA.  In 1978 he became certified by the International Association of Applied Social Scientists as a Certified Internal Development Specialist.

Michael Harsh, Regional Trustee, North America (2016 - 2018)

Michael Harsh (United States) is a psychotherapist who regards transactional analysis to be the most transformative mode of engaging the human psyche in enduring, desired change. Over 11 years, he received instruction and supervision from Vann Joines, Mary Goulding, Fanita English, and others in classical transactional analysis, redecision therapy, relational therapy, developmental theory, and personality adaptations. Michael’s background includes a BA in philosophy, a Juris doctorate, an MA in Christian spirituality, and an MA in counseling. He has been in private practice as a psychotherapist in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1997. When participating in an intensive program as both therapist and client in a redecision workshop at the Southeast Institute for Group and Family Therapy, he was struck by the constructive framework of TA, which asks people who come to therapy not how they are, but instead, what they want to change about themselves. This, along with TA’s assumption that the individual is already OK, struck a chord with him in terms of who he understood people to be and how therapy works as a collaborative process. So inspired, Michael obtained Transactional Analysis Advanced Practitioner Certification from the USA TA Association, a Certificate in Redecision Therapy from the Southeast Institute, and in 2013 became a Certified Transactional Analyst. He hopes to contribute to a North American and worldwide expansion of transactional analysis, and to this end, is working toward instructional relationships with other practitioners that are supportive, collaborative, and encouraging.