One of the more important issues confronting psychoanalysis and psychotherapy seems to involve the clinical and theoretical aspects of so-called noninterpretive interventions. Advances in infant research, developmental psychology, and clinical theory may aid in shedding new light on the role and mechanisms of action of a variety of noninterpretive interventions and clinical concepts, including validation and confirmation, mirroring, clarification, “holding environment,” negative therapeutic reactions, and others. In addition, these advances may enhance the understanding of the nature of change in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.