The spate of accusations and denials regarding the "false memory syndrome" is unsettling and demands that we take another look at the rifts between families, children and therapists.
Now there is the matter of grown adults who come from therapy accusing their elderly parents or earlier acquaintances of abuses which were "discovered" (or implanted) in psychotherapy through prolonged hypnotherapy or "depth" therapy.Child sexual abuse is ugly enough, but therapeutic manipulation on this theme is outright devilish. Professional associations and societies have their work cut out for them in demonstrating discipline and respect for the needs of society.
Obviously, in many of these incidents, therapists use the word "uncovered." Families prefer "concocted" in describing the return of "memories." Freud must be turning over in his grave.
It is sad when a situation intended to be for the relief of painful problems actually seems to be causing pain that is even extended to seemingly innocent bystanders. Such things have rarely been a part of psychotherapy or counseling in earlier times. Why now?
Are there so many therapists coming out of universities each year that they need to invent problems to make a living? Are there parts of our culture that are rapidly deteriorating? Has it become a professional whim to manipulate families, courts and lawyers? Do we need the Legislature involved?
False memory is a topic for forums with professionals in many disciplines, the public and patients all invited to participate. At least one or perhaps all of our universities should be offering assistance to the public as well as reassessing the number of therapists and lawyers turned loose on the public each year.
Eugene J. Faux, M.D.
Provo