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| Games - Co-creative Confirmation Consistent with developing TA as a theoretical model of psychological health ('psychosanology'), as well as of psychopathology, we envisage that game theory can describe both healthy and pathological processes. Berne's (1968) definition of a game as 'an ongoing series of complementary ulterior transactions progressing to a well-defined, predictable outcome' (p.44) provides us with a neutral, non pathological formulation which later definitions restrict. We choose this definition precisely because it allows us to describe both healthy and satisfying patterns as well as the pathological repetition and re-enactment of traumatic experience. The application of game theory to pathological process is well developed within the TA literature. Consider, for example, degrees of game (Berne, 1968), the drama triangle (Karpman, 1968), Formula G (Berne, 1972/75b), the Goulding-Kupfer game diagram (Goulding & Goulding, 1979), the Bystander role (Clarkson, 1987). Also, the almost exclusively pathological focus of game theory implies that ulterior transactions are exchanged between archaic ego states communicating contaminated negative beliefs about self, others and the world. The undeveloped exception to this pathological focus is Berne's concept of the 'good' game, that is, 'one whose social contribution outweighs the complexity of the its motivations...one which contributes both to the well-being of the other players and to the unfolding of the one who is "it"' (Berne, 1968, p.143). This is similar to the concept of 'growth vitality games' developed by Satir (1967/78). To illustrate the possibility of the game as a healthy process we suggest a particular application of the James' (1973) Game Plan (with Laurence Collinson's addition of the two mystery questions, cited in Stewart & Joines, 1987): 1. What keeps happening to me over and over again? 2. How does it start? 3. What happens next? 4. (Mystery question) 5. And then? 6. (Mystery question) 7. How does it end? 8a. How do I feel? 8b. How do I think the other person feels? Consider a relationship with someone you know that is consistently satisfying. Now use the above gameplan to map out the sequence of the pattern you manage to co-create with this person 'over and over again'. Finally consider the mystery questions: 4. What is my secret message to the other person? 5. What is the other person's secret message to me? Typical responses to this approach are that such patterns start with a sense of anticipation, welcoming and re-connection. The middle phase often involves sharing, recognition, openness and acceptance. Such patterns often end with satisfaction, confirmation, and well being. Common ulteriors include 'I like you', 'I love you' and 'I respect you'. In satisfying relationships such patterns create a framework within which risk of intimacy can be taken. These healthy patterns fit the definition of a game we have adopted from Berne. From a postmodern perspective we suggest that games are patterns we engage in, through which we co-create confirmation of versions of reality. These versions of reality may be past- or present-centered, and can incorporate either discounting or, importantly, accounting and, therefore, non exploitative ulterior transactions. In many ways Game theory is the aspect of TA in which Berne particularly emphasises the co-created nature of relationship patterns. Conclusion For the practitioner the value of theory is in how useful it is in informing practice. By way of concluding, and in the spirit of the narrative turn of postmodern, constructivist enquiry, we offer a number of questions which arise from the ideas presented, the first of which come from Berne. Berne himself wrote only briefly about the therapeutic relationship as such (see Berne, 1966). In doing so he suggests that, before and in the first few minutes of each session or meeting with client/s, the therapist should ask themselves 'some fundamental questions about the real meaning of the therapeutic relationship' (pp.63-64). He views this firstly with regard to the therapist's own development: '"Why am I sitting in this room? Why am I not at home with my children...What will this hour contribute to my unfolding?"' (p.64). Secondly, Berne suggests reflecting on the client and their motivations: '"Why are they here? Why are they not at home with their children or doing what their fancy dictates. Why did they choose psychotherapy as a solution Why not religion, alcohol, drugs, crime, gambling...What will this hour contribute to their unfolding?"' (p.64). To these questions we add further self supervision questions for the TA practitioner which are derived from a co-creative approach to the four main areas of TA discussed in this article: What patterns emerge between us? How are we presently making sense of these patterns? What are we each contributing to these patterns? What happens if we create different meanings for the same patterns? What happens if we do something different? How do we make sense of different patterns that we co-create? What ego states are we evoking and co-creating in each other? Why are we creating these ego states at this point in time? What else may be possible? What version of reality might we (have we) been confirming? How can we explore, acknowledge and choose between different realities? What constructs are we using to define self and other? How do these constructs support or limit us? Graeme Summers, BSc(Hons.), Dip.Psychotherapy, CTA, PTSTA is a registered transactional analysis psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). He is a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer working at Manchester Gestalt Centre, Dacrelands Clinic, Lancaster and the Edinburgh Institute for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Address: Manchester Gestalt Centre, 7 Norman Road, Manchester M14 5LF Tel: 0161 257 2202; e-mail: graeme@mgc.org.uk Keith Tudor, MA, MSc, CQSW, Dip.Psychotherapy, PTSTA, MAHPP is registered with the UKCP both as a transactional analysis psychotherapist and as a group psychotherapist and facilitator. He is in private/independent practice as a therapist, supervisor and trainer in Sheffield where he is also a Director of Temenos. He is the author of a number of articles and of two books in the field of therapy and mental health. Please send reprint requests to Keith Tudor, Temenos, 13A Penryhn Road, Sheffield S11 8UL, England; e-mail: keith.tudor@temenos.ac.uk References Allen, J.R., & Allen, B.A. (1991). Concepts of transference: A critique, a typology, an alternative hypothesis and some proposals. 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