Psychotherapy for Victims of Torture

Abstract

Three groups of torture victims were studied with the aim of establishing a concept of psychotherapy for such victims. Analysis of the first group, consisting of 200 case-reports made by Amnesty International medical groups, resulted in a general outline of the psychological methods of torture and their main impact on the victims. A second group of 24 torture victims was examined by the authors, and a quantitative assessment of long-term neuropsychological complaints and a qualitative insight into these symptoms achieved. In-depth interviews with victims in the third group which, consisted of the victims from the second group and six others, together with the results from the other two groups, formed the basis of a concept of psychotherapy for torture victims.

Apartheid in South Africa: Toward a model of psychological intervention

“…As has been shown by Foster (1989), Gibson (1989) and Somnier & Genefke (1986), political violence, detention and torture have deteriorating effects on individual mental health, not to mention their obvious physical effects. Consequently, there is a paradoxic connection with the goals of a relevant model of psychotherapy.…”

“…While the physical consequences are obvious, there are also psychological sequelae which result (Somnier & Genefke, 1986;Whittaker, t988 and Solomons, 1989). Straker (1987) also suggests that black South Africans experience continuous traumatic stress syndrome bought on by the violent nature of apartheid.…”

Experiences of torture and ill‐treatment and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among Palestinian political prisoners

“…There have been attempts to construct culturally sensitive instruments but further research is needed on survivors with differing cultural backgrounds (Mollica, Caspi-Yavin, Bollini, & Truong, 1992;Somnier & Genefke, 1986).…”

Psychotherapy for Massively Traumatized Refugees: The Therapist Variable

“…For massively traumatized individuals, variations on the exposure theme have been developed. These include the need to explore the torture memories in psychotherapy (9). Here patients are encouraged to discuss in as much detail as possible to allow catharsis and re-evaluation of trauma's meaning to the victim.…”