The differing perspectives of conflict theory and self-psychology are illustrated through clinical material. Transference as described in conflict theory and selfobject transference as considered within self-psychology are discussed as in a changing figure and ground relationship. An emphasis on conflict and resistance analysis may structure analytic treatment along an adversarial dimension with implications for selfobject and object-related transferences. Reference to recent research on infants offers an expanded model for the accretion of psychic structure that can encompass interventions growing out of both theories. The analytic approach to psychic conflict is to interpret what the patient defensively needs to ward off. The approach to self-pathology is to interpret the selfobject functions that the patient needs for self-consolidation and self-maintenance. Accurate assessment of instances in treatment where psychic conflict is the predominant configuration against a background of a silent selfobject transference requires a clinical theory that embraces multiple perspectives.