Increasingly research shows that the nonverbal dialogue in adult treatment is essential to therapeutic action. However, this nonverbal dimension has been difficult to conceptualize. Because the nonverbal dialogue remains remarkably similar across the lifespan, infant research on face-to-face interaction can inform the nonverbal dimension of interaction in adult treatment face-to-face or on the couch. Using film microanalysis, our research has documented rapid, nuanced, highly emotional mother-infant nonverbal dialogues at 4 months that lead to secure or disorganized infant attachment patterns at one year. We showed that maternal difficulties in “entering” and empathizing with infant distress, that is, forms of “denial” of infant distress, is a key feature in the origins of disorganized attachment. Disorganized attachment predicts young adult psychopathology, most notably dissociation. In contrast, modes of “entering” infant distress moments, such as brief facial or vocal expressions of sadness, joining the cry rhythm or joining the dampened state, or participating in subtle finger “dialogues,” are salient in the origins of secure attachment. These modes of entering infant distress make it more possible for the infant to sense that someone is on her wave-length, that her distressed state is recognized. We propose that nonverbal modes of entering the distress moments provide an organizing principle both of optimal infant development and of therapeutic action in adult treatment. How is this done? This lecture will provide video illustrations of nonverbal micro-processes of entering distress moments in infancy and in adult treatment. Adult treatment will be illustrated through videotaped sessions of an adult treatment case of Sandra who has not looked anyone in the eye since she was 12 years old (Sandberg & Beebe, 2019, in press).