Interpretation

Presented by

Rachel Blass, PhD, Giuseppe Civitarese, MD, PhD,

Richard Geist, EdD & Frank Summers, PhD, ABPP

with discussion by Robert S. White, MD

From the early days of psychoanalysis, insight and interpretation were regarded as cornerstones of a depth-oriented treatment. This view evolved as analysts began treating patients who were previously considered unanalyzable and as multiple schools of psychoanalytic thought emerged. While some analysts still believe in the primacy of interpretation, others consider it to be one technique among others. This conference features four contemporary analysts, each renowned in their different schools of psychoanalytic thought. They will present their perspectives on interpretation and its relative significance in treatment.

The conference begins with a presentation by Frank Summers, PhD, who works from an object relations perspective. He describes a model of therapeutic action giving interpretation a necessary, but rarely sufficient, role in analysis. The biphasic model is based on the fact that the various forms of psychopathology cannot be separated into "conflict" and "deficit" pathologies. On the contrary, all psychopathology includes both conflict and a lack of self-development, meaning that therapeutic action must include both understanding the conflicts and (re)building the self. Interpretation serves to confront the patient with who she is and how she came to be as she is, but does not address how the patient can become the self that was truncated in childhood.

From a self psychology perspective, Richard Geist, EdD emphasizes that verbally articulated interpretations are uniquely important because selfobject functions are inherent in interpretations. In other words, interpretations are the carriers of selfobject functions, the internalization of which are needed to concurrently strengthen one’s sense of self and to modify defensive structures. When an interpretation or genetic reconstruction that carries selfobject functions is experienced as accurate, it can be transformative for the patient. Discussant Robert White, MD will provide a brief commentary on Summers and Geist's ideas, after which there will be an opportunity for discussion between him, the two presenters, and the audience.

In Part II of the conference, Rachel Blass, PhD presents a Kleinian view of therapeutic action. She argues that transference interpretation is essential to the analytic process and that only transference interpretation can bring about cure of an analytic kind. To appreciate this view, one must consider what defines the unique nature of analytic cure and transference interpretation, as distinguished from other forms of change and other kinds of interventions. Dr. Blass will clarify and illustrate these points, emphasizing the difference between transference interpretation and other forms of intervention that comment on the transference and tell patients about their dynamics. She suggests that analytic change involves an integrative knowing of psychic truth that can only be brought about through transference interpretation proper.

Giuseppe Civitarese, MD, PhD delves into the dynamic interplay between interpretation and conversation within the frame of post-Bionian field theory. He highlights the crucial task of discerning whether the emotional atmosphere, the quality of the therapeutic bond, or the ‘basic assumption’ that is active in the analytic dyad, foster or hinder psychic growth. He underscores the significance of "becoming" and emotional resonance, as elucidated by Bion's concept of "at-one-ment," over mere intellectual accord and factual knowledge. The pivotal moment of interpretation hinges more on the analyst's ‘silent’ receptivity to the unconscious currents within the analytical field, rather than on explicit elucidation to the patient. Drawing from an intuitive grasp of the shared unconscious emotional landscape, the analyst engages in a dialogue with the patient that is ideally not only meaningful but potentially transformative, aiming to enrich the couple's ability to symbolize lived experiences. Following this presentation, Dr. Blass and Civitarese will have an opportunity to discuss their ideas, then Robert White, MD will add some commentary. Thereafter, Drs. Geist and Summers will join Drs. Blass, Civitarese, and White for a discussion with the audience.

AGENDA

Friday, April 4, 2025 (Part I)

10:00am- 10:10am Welcome, upcoming programs, conference logistics, introduction of

speakers  

10:10am-10:55am Interpretation and the Therapeutic Action of Psychoanalysis

(Frank Summers, PhD)

10:55am-11:10am BREAK

11:10am-11:55am Interpretation as a Carrier of Selfobject Functions (Richard Geist, EdD

11:55am-12:10pm Discussion (Robert White, MD)

12:10pm-12:40pm Discussion between Geist, Summers, White & audience

12:40pm-12:45pm Closing 

Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Part II)

10:00am- 10:10am Welcome, upcoming programs, conference logistics, introduction

of speakers       

10:10am-10:55am On the Nature of Transference Interpretation and Why Only it Can

Bring about Analytic Change (Rachel Blass, PhD)

10:55am-11:40am The Role of Interpretation in Post- Bionian Field Theory

Giuseppe Civitarese, MD, PhD

11:40am-11:55am BREAK

11:55am-12:25pm Discussion between Blass & Civitarese

12:25pm-12:40pm Discussion (Robert White, MD)

12:40pm-1:40pm Discussion between Geist, Summers, Blass, Civitarese, White &

audience

1:40pm-1:45pm Closing

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After attending Part I of the program in its entirety, attendees will be able to:

1. Distinguish the understanding phase of analysis from the creative phase of analysis
2. Describe the role of interpretation in the biphasic model of analysis
3. Explain how interpretation facilitates (1) internalization and (2) development of the self from a self psychology perspective

After attending Part II of the program in its entirety, attendees will be able to:

1. Explain the process of psychoanalytic change from a Kleinian view
2. Describe transference interpretation within the Kleinian analytic situation
3. Evaluate and explain the impact of various factors such as emotional atmosphere, therapeutic bond quality, and basic assumptions on the facilitation or hindrance of psychic growth within the analytic dyad from the vantage of post-Bionian field theory
4. Explain what it means to prioritizing emotional resonance and the concept of "becoming" over intellectual agreement, fostering a deeper appreciation for transformative dialogues aimed at enriching individuals' capacity to symbolize lived experiences in therapeutic settings

ACCME Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Houston Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement

The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 3.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement

The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.