<![CDATA[Self-stigma represents a significant psychological barrier to help-seeking, social participation, self-esteem, and recovery among individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. Although extensive research has examined the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of self-stigma, its underlying psychological processes have received limited attention from a counseling-theoretical perspective. This literature review aims to critically synthesize existing evidence on self-stigma and Transactional Analysis (TA) and develop a conceptual framework for understanding self-stigma through Berne’s theoretical perspective. A narrative-thematic literature review was conducted by adapting the PRISMA 2020 reporting framework. Literature was searched across major academic databases using keywords related to self-stigma, internalized stigma, transactional analysis, ego states, life scripts, injunctions, and psychological games. From 43 identified records, 13 relevant articles were included for qualitative synthesis. Findings indicate that self-stigma is consistently associated with negative self-concept, social withdrawal, reduced self-efficacy, and the “why try” effect, while TA literature demonstrates the relevance of ego states, transactions, life scripts, injunctions, and psychological games for understanding maladaptive self-perceptions and relational patterns. The synthesis suggests that internalized stigmatizing messages may be conceptually understood through interactions among contaminated Adult functioning, stigmatizing Parent messages, affective Child experiences, maladaptive life scripts, and repetitive interpersonal transactions. However, these relationships remain theoretically derived rather than empirically established. This review positions TA as a promising conceptual framework for understanding and developing counseling interventions targeting self-stigma, while emphasizing the need for empirical studies to test the proposed associations and intervention effects.]]>
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