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This paper presents an elaboration of further developments in Langs's interactive communicative approach. Langs differentiates between non-derivative messages, with their component manifest contents and implications, and derivative messages, with their component manifest contents, implications, and encoded meanings. Received messages are processed by the patient (or therapist) in one of two parallel but quite different systems. The Conscious System processes aspects of messages destined for unencoded conscious presentation, while the Deep Unconscious System processes aspects of messages which, because of their anxiety-producing nature, are not to receive undisguised representation in consciousness. In fact, messages processed by either system undergo an initial unconscious phase before representation in consciousness is effected. The Conscious System is oriented toward immediate needs for comfort and safety, while the Deep Unconscious System, in its processing of threatening aspects of messages, is guided by a search for truth. Though the latter system has superior capacities for discerning what is true, it sends its contents to consciousness only after transformation by processes of displacement, condensation, and symbolization. Intrapsychic conflict is seen as arising from the distinctive