Examines the psychological effects of torture and exposure to the violence of war, with an emphasis on the concept of the damaged self. War and torture are prolonged and repeated traumatic events that create a situation in which survivors feel powerless because they have little or no ability to control or predict outside events. Moreover, the experience of powerlessness and dependence on others’ whims and decisions can shatter survivors’ self-esteem. Thus, in the early years of resettlement, survivors often are haunted by feelings of guilt about being safe and alive while friends and relatives are not. In addition, torture and persecution can demolish trust in family and friendship as well as trust in political, judicial, financial, and other social institutions. Refugees who are concerned about the confidentiality of the information they disclose to service providers present a challenge to those seeking to assist them. However, refugees with a traumatic past can resettle successfully if they are provided, in addition to basic services, appropriate and specialized services geared to their particular needs. This means that programs need to address the issue of refugees’ distrust before even tackling other issues such as language and cultural difficulties.