On the Uniqueness and Curative Power of Coming to Know Unconscious Phantasy: A Kleinian View on Why Only Transference Interpretation Cures

Dr. Blass challenges the classical psychoanalytic idea that the interpretation of unconscious truth is what cures. She interrogates the idea that coming to know about one’s unconscious dynamics through interpretation will lead to change.

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This field is required.

Saturday, January 10, 2026

9:00 - 12:15 PM In-Person 
Registration is required for this program.
This event will be held in-person at BPSI.
 

On the Uniqueness and Curative Power of Coming to Know Unconscious Phantasy: A Kleinian View on Why Only Transference Interpretation Cures

Dr. Blass challenges the classical psychoanalytic idea that the interpretation of unconscious truth is what cures.  She interrogates the idea that coming to know about one’s unconscious dynamics through interpretation will lead to change. Blass proposes that reflection on these issues opens us to an understanding of what it actually means to ‘come to know’, in a deep analytic sense of the term. Klein’s thinking on phantasy and transference interpretation are central to the articulation of this unique sense of knowing, often misunderstood in the analytic literature.  While the concept of transference interpretation has been used in many different ways, Blass proposes that it is only in a specific sense of the term, which she calls “transference interpretation proper”, that interpretation has the power to cure. Dr. Blass will offer brief clinical illustrations of such interpretations to highlight their specific nature and more broadly the unique nature of Kleinian technique. 

  

Presenter

Rachel Blass, PhD is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Israel Psychoanalytic Society, a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society, and on the Board of the International Journal of Psychoanalysis. She was formerly a professor of psychoanalysis at universities both in Israel and England and currently heads a new postgraduate program in clinical psychology at the Peres Academic Center in Rehovot, Israel. She has published a book and numerous papers that elucidate the foundations of analytic thinking and practice, with a special focus on Kleinian psychoanalysis and its Freudian roots. Her writings have been translated into 15 languages. While she lives and practices in Jerusalem, via the internet she also teaches and supervises in the US, Australia and several countries in Europe and Asia. 

 

Discussant

 

Chris Lovett, PhD trained at The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, where he is currently a member of the faculty. He is a member of the editorial board of The Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association and a former member of the editorial board of The International Journal of Psychoanalysis.  

In 2025 the book he co-edited with Steven Cooper, entitled Winnicott’s Letter to Bion: Playing, Dreaming, and Beyond was published by Routledge Press. He also contributed a chapter to that book entitled, ‘On Not Playing with Winnicott: A Not-So Curious Case of Non-Communication’.  

He is in private practice in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. 

Moderator

Brigitte Zakari, PsyaD is a psychoanalyst in full time private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts. She is a faculty member at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute both in the adult psychoanalytic training program as well as the psychotherapy program. She is also a supervisor in the ATP program at BPSI.
 

 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe how Klein’s understanding of unconscious phantasy informs a distinct mode of psychoanalytic knowing and its implications for clinical technique.
  2. List at least 1 defining characteristic of “transference interpretation proper”.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the Kleinian concept of unconscious phantasy and its role in analytic change through clinical examples of transference interpretation. 
 

Schedule

9:00 Introductions 
9:15 Dr. Blass’s Paper 
10:15 Dr. Lovett discussion
10:45 Break
11:00 Dr. Blass responds to Dr. Lovett and general discussion/Q&A
12:15 Program ends

This program is made possible by the generous support of BPSI members and friends. Your gift to BPSI supports psychoanalytic and psychotherapy education and ensures the future of our field. To make a gift, please visit www.bpsi.org.

 
The target audience for this program is mental health clinicians at all levels of training and members of the community.
 
 
registration Fee
$125* Program Fee
 
We are committed to accessibility for all of our programs. BPSI offers an Equity Rate, and we invite you to pay what you are able for this event.
 
*The fee is waived for Early Career Clinicians (within 5 years of licensure), BPSI Members & Partners.

 

Recording

This event will not be recorded.

Continuing Education

Physicians: 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 provider ship of American Psychoanalytic Association and The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute . The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.”
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION FOR ALL LEARNERS: None of the planners and presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s)* to disclose with ineligible companies* whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
*Financial relationships are relevant if the educational content an individual can control is related to the business lines or products of the ineligible company. -Updated July 2021-

Psychologists: The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 3 hours of CE credits for psychologists.

Social Workers: Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact us at team@bpsi.org or 617-266-0953 for the status of social work CE accreditation.
Please note: Per NASW requirements, social workers must attend 80% of a course in order to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Licensed Mental Health Clinicians: The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (BPSI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6913. BPSI is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This program offers 3 NBCC Clock Hours.
 
 

Event Cancellation Policies & Procedures
Any program participant requesting their individual program registration be canceled must submit their request in writing via email to BPSI Office at team@bpsi.org. For fee-based events, a request for cancellation (and refund using the original form of payment) must be received no later than 48 hours in advance of the event. Requests received later than 48 hours prior to the event will not be processed or accepted. All approved refunds are subject to a $10.00 administrative fee. If BPSI cancels an event, all registrants will receive a full refund of fees paid (no administration charge) no later than two business days following the scheduled date of the event, using the original form of payment.

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