Contemporary Object Relations in Los Angeles: Building on the Work of the London Kleinians

In 1984 the Psychoanalytic Center of California (PCC) was established as a direct outcome of the work of Albert Mason, Wilfred Bion, and the visiting analysts who influenced the thinking and practice of receptive Los Angeles analysts of the day. Contemporary Object Relations in Los Angeles reflects the work of current PCC analysts who have carried forward the Kleinian tradition in a variety of ways. They form a tribute to Dr Albert Mason and his influence on the development of post-Kleinian and Bionian thinking in the United States. The contributions reflect a wide range of interests and ways of exploring current psychoanalytic thought. They include a comparison of the concepts of Winnicott, Klein, and Bion; an account of the application of infant observation; a description of the gradual dismantling of a patient's manic personality organization; detailed accounts of individual analyses: the journey from psychotherapy to a full analytic treatment; the musical aspects of communication between analyst and patient; and the history, meaning, and current perspective of interpretation in analysis. This lively collection will enhance the practice of clinicians and inspire trainees on their own clinical journey.

Jennifer Langham, Ph.D., FIPA is President of The Psychoanalytic Center of California in Los Angeles.She is an IPA certified training and supervising analyst and teaches in the Core Training Program and the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Program at PCC.Dr. Langham comes to the world of psychoanalysis from a career as a professional cellist and currently serves as the clinical consultant of The Colburn School Conservatory of Music in downtown Los Angeles.She maintains a private practice in Beverly Hills and specializes in the treatment of bi-polar disorder and the particular problems associated with the expression of creativity.