This article discusses the importance of “contracts” from the perspective of TA (Transactional Analysis). Family court probation officers and classification psychologists make such “contracts” with juvenile delinquents within the judicial system. One of the basic principles of TA is that psychotherapy should be held under the mutual agreement of such contracts. This principle can be applied when holding interviews with or treating juvenile delinquents.
In this article, the authors first offer a definition of the term “contract”. Next, various types of contracts are reviewed. Finally, the significance of such contracts is discussed using brief examples. Furthermore, a discussion of how the concept of “contract” is useful as well as (a discussion of) the potency of having both family court probation officers and classification psychologists willing to enter contract-based relationships is also included.