This discussion responds to Nakanishi’s question about how humor contributes to therapeutic action in his treatment of an adolescent girl who had not spoken or revealed her face for 3 years. His use of humor is explored in concert with his exquisite attunement to nonverbal process. I highlight his pivotal statement, “My face is funny, isn’t it,” and elaborate its multiple meanings that influence the treatment, enabling the patient to emerge from her state of mutism, and out from behind her mask. In a context that had been dominated by shame, humor facilitates a transforming bond, evidenced by the patient’s newfound abilities to laugh aloud, make eye contact, and match her therapist’s humor with her own. Further, the influence of the cultural context of this treatment—that is set in Japan using the Japanese language—is discussed.