Dubravka Pešorda CTA-P
Field of audience: P,C

Language: English
Level of audience: All

In today’s digitally connected world, parasocial relationships—one-sided connections where individuals feel a bond with media personalities or fictional characters (Horton and Wohl,1956) — have become increasingly important. “The Mirror Effect: Exploring Identity Through Parasocial Relationships” is a specialized workshop designed for transactional analysis practitioners seeking to understand the intricate dynamics between these relationships and personal identity formation.

This workshop will delve into the concept of parasocial relationships, examining how they serve as mirrors reflecting and shaping individuals’ self-perception and identity. Participants will explore the psychological mechanisms behind these connections and their implications for identity development, particularly in the context of social media, celebrity culture, and virtual interactions.

Through a transactional analysis lens, the workshop will offer insights into how parasocial relationships can influence ego states, scripts, games, life positions and relational needs fulfilment. Special attention will be given to the concept of projective identification, where individuals project parts of themselves onto the media figures they follow, internalizing perceived attributes and integrating them into their own identity.

Practitioners will learn to identify the positive and negative impacts of these relationships on their clients’ mental health and well-being, as well as understand their importance in clients’ lives, especially when working with young people and neurodiverse population.