Abstract
As a result of civil war in El Salvador and Guatemala, hundreds of thousands ofrefugees fled to the USA during the 1980s. Many of these refugees experienced tor-ture and other abuse, and current adaptation is complicated by post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD). The scope of the problem is examined along with cultural factors inmental health treatment and the limitations of conventional exposure therapy. Theauthors describe two indirect, hypnotic ego-strengthening techniques that are usefulin treating PTSD in this refugee population.

Introduction
Torture is one of the most appalling violations of human rights. It is strictly con-demned by international law and by the United Nations Convention against torture.According to Amnesty International, torture continues to occur in 79 countries, someof which have signed the Convention. It is estimated that 40% of immigrants to west-ern Europe were victims of torture, which usually includes physical violence fromkicks, fists, rifles, iron rods and electricity; mutilation from knives, suspension byarms or legs; and being pushed from heights. Survivors of torture are in urgent needof medical care, physiotherapy and psychological care (Prip, Tived and Holten, 1995).

Civil war in El Salvador and Guatemala
Torture, a major contributor to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often occurswithin the context of civil war. In the central American country of El Salvador alone anestimated one to two million people fled to the USA in the 1980s, with the majority set-tling in southern California. In Tucson, Arizona, some 600 families are followed by theTask Force on Central America. A major role of the Task Force is co-ordinating legal,medical and mental health care to these people. The present paper discusses the scopeon the problem, reviews the use of hypnosis and behavioural treatments with PTSDand focuses of specific indirect hypnotic techniques that are useful with these clients.