The author's premise is that clarifying an interpretive verbal interchange sometimes becomes, from the patient's point of view, a weapon used to increase his narcissistic mortification. The result of this wounding is that other means of therapeutic approach become necessary. A stalemate in therapy requires 'untreating' to overcome the patient's distrust and regression. The therapist must find a way to spend time with the patient in active, informal communication. A spontaneous sharing of interest and opinions in a subject unrelated to the patient's illness or therapy may serve as a re-entry point to the therapeutic relationship.