Disappeared: Semantic and Somatic Effects of Political Repression in a Family Seeking Therapy

The admission interview and a brief course of therapy with a family of six living in a repressive political context is presented. The context is described, the initial interview detailed, and seven sessions summarized. This is followed by a discussion of the effects of the political climate on the family's language, social adaptation, and health, and of the goals of therapy with families of disappeared people (desaparecidos).