‘Linguistic regression’ is proposed as a useful concept to study psychotherapy as a process of short-term regressions in the service of long-term progression. As an illustration of its potential, a case is presented in which stylistic variables showed a systematic change over time. Superimposed on a long-term trend towards increased control over linguistic regressions, brief interludes of linguistic regressions appeared to follow the therapist's addressing the patient's dependence conflict, particularly in the transference.