This detailed case study demonstrates the non-ideological and spontaneous use of, firstly, Donald Meltzer's concept of “the aesthetic conflict,” and also Allan Schore's depiction of affective, developmental neuro-psychoanalysis to free both analyst and patient from a protracted impasse. The study includes detailed observation of the patient's somatic presentations, his dissociation and bitter disaffection, as well as the analyst's countertransference responses, physical and psychological. Release from the impasse is foreshadowed in a powerful countertransference dream, self-analysis of which enables psychological work in the analyst, which recalibrates her understanding of the patient's needs; re-shapes her responses to the patient; and launches the couple into a transformative “love affair.” The patient becomes deeply communicative: his alexithymia is mitigated and his love of his primary maternal object finds a container. Nachtraglichkeit transforms his memories and identity, and reconfigures his internal object world. His capacity for intimacy in relationship blossoms, and he is able to terminate his 9 year- long analysis.