^aLynch School of Education, Boston College, Campion Hall, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA

Abstract

Immigrants negotiate the concept of home in multiple ways, including actual visits to the country of origin and recreating in the adoptive land aspects of the country of origin. Fantasies of home as constructed in interpersonal and relational contexts lie at the heart of these visits home. This paper explores the role of fantasy and actual visits home and their relevance to therapeutic process. Case examples illustrate the ways in which real and imagined returns home influence mourning and identity transformation.