The testimony of political repression as a therapeutic instrument.
The use of testimony--tape-recorded by the therapist and revised jointly by therapist and patient into a written document--as a therapeutic technique with former prisoners and with relatives of prisoners of the Chilean military government is described and evaluated. The testimony, aimed at facilitating integration of the traumatic experience and restoration of self-esteem, was found effective in providing symptomatic relief for certain patients.
D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011056:Political Systems; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013637:Tape Recording; D014104:Torture