14 A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for psychologists a relaxing topic to ensure that the emotional arousal has subsided. Before closing the interview, the interviewee should be asked if s/he wants to ask any questions, or has thing s/he wants to add. (See chapter IV and § 163, § 168 and §§ 262-263 in the Istanbul Protocol.) 3. INTERVIEW STYLE The clinician should inform the patient that he/she can take a break or interrupt the interview if needed. The clinican also should acknowledge the patient’s right to choose not to respond to any question he or she may not wish to. If possible, the interview should be designed according to the needs of the examinee. The interviewer should arrange short episodes with breaks. The clinician should: • Avoid any manner, approach or style which may recall the torture situation • Not make the patient wait • Avoid authoritative instructions and questions • Be sensitive in tone, phrasing and sequencing of questions • Create a climate of trust, courtesy, honesty and empathy • Be aware of the cultural norms and beliefs • Communicate in a sense of understanding of the individual’s experiences and suffering • Give time and opportunity to the interviewee’s own needs and questions • Ensure the patient feel s/he is in control • Formulate the questions in an open-ended manner. • Avoid leading questions. (See chapter IV and § 93, § 124, §§ 163-164, § 168, §§ 262-263 in the Istanbul Protocol and Giffard & Thompson, 2002; Iacopino, 2002; Peel et al., 2000; Peel et al., 2005.) VII. POTENTIAL TRANSFERENCE AND COUNTER-TRANSFERENCE REACTIONS Clinicians who conduct physical and psychological evaluations should be aware of the potential emotional reactions that evaluations of severe trauma may elicit in the interviewee and interviewer. The evaluator’s questions may be experienced as: 1. TRANSFERENCE The evaluator may be perceived as: “Transference refers to feelings a survivor has towards the clinician that relate to the past experiences but are misunderstood as directed towards the clinician personally[...]” (Istanbul Protocol, § 265). • a person in a position of authority (in a positive or negative sense) • an enemy or accomplice to the torturer • saviour, protector, camarade • having voyeuristic and sadistic motivations. • forced exposure akin to an interrogation • sign of mistrust or doubt on the part of the examiner.