Psychoanalytic theorists frequently argue that the transference/countertransference concept should be extended to include aspects of nonverbal and paraverbal communication. New terms have been coined and introduced in the theory of psychoanalytic technique. The present authors maintain that such an extension is not needed. In their view the concept of projective identification is suitable for grasping these extra-verbal aspects of communication, provided this mechanism is seen as a form of archaic affective communication utilized mainly, but not exclusively, by severely disturbed patients.