False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 09 No 03 - 2000 mayjune

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated May/June 2000, Vol. 9 No. 3, focuses on the "Memory and Reality: Return to Reason" conference and related controversies surrounding recovered memories, child abuse allegations, and psychiatric practice. The newsletter highlights news, research, legal updates, and personal experiences within the false memory syndrome community.

Conference: Memory and Reality: Return to Reason

The "Memory and Reality" conference, held in April 2000, is described as professionally run and emotional. The theme, "Return to Reason," was explored by various speakers. Paul McHugh, M.D., noted that public education on memory is largely accomplished, but clinical work remains. He outlined lessons learned from the FMS problem, including the ignoring of therapy guidelines, the 'craze' of false memory accusations, the courage needed to confront it, the effort required for partial resolution, and the necessity of evidence-based psychiatric practice. He suggested that the clinical struggle extends beyond FMS, resting on concepts of repression and dissociation fundamental to psychiatry.

Dr. McHugh indicated that the field is in a rehabilitative phase, focusing on family reunification and expressing hope that people might eventually be embarrassed by recovered memories. Terence Campbell, Ph.D., moderated a panel of retractors (Elizabeth Carlson, Gail McDonald, Laura Pasley, Mary Shanley) who shared their experiences. Factors in retraction included doubting memories, stopping therapy, confronting reality, and dealing with family issues. They emphasized the need for good, reality-driven, patient-directed therapy, sometimes involving family therapy.

Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D., a leading memory expert, expressed concern that a true return to reason is not yet close, as myths surrounding false memory arguments are constantly resurrected. She discussed her current work on dream interpretation and its powerful effects.

Other sessions included a professional panel moderated by Harold Lief, M.D., who noted "cracks in the monolith" of psychiatry and highlighted a paper he co-authored on the impact of false allegations on accused fathers. David Halperin, M.D., Susan Robbins, D.S.W., and Robert Karlin, Ph.D., discussed family reunification and mediation. Roundtables covered topics such as wills and estate planning, family mediation, Christian counseling, using the internet for information, dealing with families where only one parent has contact, siblings' experiences, retractors talking together, sons as accusers, grandchild issues, and support for new families to FMS.

Legal and Ethical Issues

The newsletter features several legal cases and ethical discussions. The "Legal Corner" reports on the overturning of a $1.17 million verdict against Archbishop Justin Rigali in Missouri, where a claim of sexual abuse by a priest was barred by the statute of limitations. The court found that the accuser had knowledge of the events at the time and suppressed the memory.

The Arizona Supreme Court, in a 3-2 decision, allowed expert testimony on repressed memory, stating that while repressed memory is not empirically verified, juries should decide its validity. This ruling is contrasted with the skepticism of the dissenting justices.

Updates on "Genesis Associates" reveal that Patricia Mansmann and Patricia Neuhausel have voluntarily abandoned their state licenses due to alleged gross negligence and unprofessional practices, including detaching clients from families without informed consent and operating like a cult.

A case study from the American Journal of Psychotherapy is critiqued for its claim of "verifiable evidence of repression." The author questions the suggestiveness of the information provided to the woman and the lack of consideration for other social or medical influences.

Research and Statistics

A research project comparing "Retractors' Experiences" found that 84% of retractors reported pressure to recover memories but no pressure to retract. Recovering memories was a quick process (mean six weeks), while retraction was slow (mean four years). The study concluded that retractors should not be characterized as easily swayed.

The "1998 National Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics" show a continued decline in child maltreatment rates, with neglect being the most common form of abuse.

News from The Netherlands

The National Ombudsman of the Netherlands urged an investigation into incest memory retrieval therapies following a complaint from the Work Group Fictive Memories. The Ministry of Justice had previously commissioned research, but professional bodies had not produced guidelines.

Other Articles and Features

"Perspectives on Informed Consent" by Allen Feld argues for the necessity of informed consent in therapy, likening it to medical practice and criticizing therapists who prioritize their own agenda over the client's stated reasons for seeking help. He views informed consent as an interactive process.

A documentary on "The Multiple Personality Puzzle" presented by The Learning Channel is noted for its balanced approach, featuring proponents and skeptics of the MPD diagnosis.

The "Solving Marriage Problems" section mentions a Maine woman suing a former teacher for alleged inappropriate touching, noting that repressed memory cases are not recognized in Maine law.

The "Amirault" case update discusses efforts to reduce Gerald Amirault's sentence for convictions in the Fells Acres Day Care case, highlighting concerns about children's suggestibility and coercive interview techniques.

An editorial from the "Seattle Intelligencer" on the Wenatchee sex cases questions the value of time spent in jail by innocent people and calls for an apology and commitment to due process.

"A Godsend for Filmmakers" discusses how psychiatrists are often used in films to facilitate exposition and provide dramatic resolutions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently addresses the controversies surrounding recovered memory therapy, child abuse allegations, and the reliability of memory. The FMS Foundation appears to advocate for a critical, evidence-based approach to these issues, questioning the validity of unsubstantiated claims and emphasizing the potential for harm from both false accusations and flawed therapeutic practices. There is a strong emphasis on legal developments and the need for scientific rigor in psychiatric and psychological fields. The editorial stance supports the idea that "reason" must prevail over what it perceives as a "craze" or "misdirection" in the field of memory and trauma.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: May/June 2000
Volume: Vol. 9 No. 3
Publisher: FMS Foundation

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into critical aspects of false memory syndrome (FMS), primarily focusing on the critique of psychodynamic therapy and its underlying concepts, alongside personal narratives and practical information for affected families.

The Four Horsemen of the FMS Apocalypse by Spencer Harris Morfit

Spencer Harris Morfit, an author and member of the FMSF Scientific Advisory Board, presents a strong critique of four core concepts of psychodynamic therapy: repression, the unconscious, the supremacy of childhood experience, and regression. He labels these as the "Four Horsemen of the FMS Apocalypse," arguing that these ideas have held undue sway for a century and are fundamentally flawed, leading to harmful practices like those associated with false memory syndrome.

Morfit challenges the notion of "repression" as "motivated forgetting," stating that research has failed to provide empirical evidence for it. He suggests that "selective attention" and "motivated forgetting" are more plausible explanations for why individuals might not recall certain events, particularly in the context of ongoing abuse. He criticizes the concept of "the unconscious" as an ill-defined entity and argues that memories of abuse are rarely truly "repressed" or "unconscious." He posits that the human brain's capacity is limited, and while connections between past experiences and present behaviors can be lost, this is distinct from being "unconscious."

Regarding the supremacy of childhood experience, Morfit acknowledges its influence but stresses that it is not the sole determinant of personality or pathology. He highlights research on twin studies and "mature coping strategies" as evidence that genetic inheritance and social learning, particularly peer influence, also play significant roles. He advocates for focusing on these influences rather than solely on childhood trauma.

Morfit also critiques the concept of "regression" in therapy, where clients are encouraged to "re-experience" traumatic events in a state of maximum vulnerability, often associated with childhood. He argues that this process can lead to serious deterioration in clients, which is sometimes misinterpreted as a sign of therapeutic effectiveness.

Finally, he discusses "empathy" in therapy, noting that the creation of an "exquisite safety" environment for therapeutic breakthroughs can sometimes lead therapists to dismiss intellectual or moral discourse, potentially disabling a client's mature defenses. He also touches on the idea that the quality of the client-therapist relationship is often cited as the best predictor of success, suggesting this may be influenced by how well the therapist's orientation aligns with the client's issues.

Morfit concludes that these psychodynamic ideas have been taken to extremes, particularly in the false memory phenomenon, and need to be discarded. He emphasizes that "Ideas have consequences, and when ideas have consequences the truth MATTERS."

Roundtables Summary

The newsletter summarizes several roundtables held at a recent meeting, providing insights into the concerns of families affected by FMS.

• Roundtable #11, "A Returner in Your Midst": This was the most popular session, focusing on offspring who return to the family without retracting their accusations or discussing the issue. Many families accept these accusers back, hoping for future reconciliation, while others require a retraction first. Families in the former group often believe their children no longer believe they were abused but are not ready to discuss it.
• Roundtable "Moving On": This group addressed families who believe their children will not come back, indicating a sense of resignation.
• Roundtable #10, "Families New to FMS": This was the smallest group, suggesting a potential decrease in newly accused families, which the Foundation attributes to increased public awareness and scientific research.

Celebration Dinner and Conference Highlights

The Celebration Dinner featured artwork by Texas prisoner Bruce Perkins, raising over $2,000 for the Foundation. A significant announcement was made regarding Dr. Braun's expulsion from the American Psychiatric Association.

Key sessions from the conference included:

• Legal Panel: Discussed the history of expert evidence, recovered memories as "junk science," and predictions about the influence of FMSF on therapy and law.
• Sibling Panel: Moderated by Holly Wakefield, this session explored the difficult position of siblings caught between parents and accusers, with one sibling noting, "Our family is all back together but several sons are not as forgiving as Mom and Dad."
• Research Agenda: Speakers like Nancy Haggerty, Eric Krock, Martha Churchill, and Sue Foard presented findings supporting the importance of focusing research on family dynamics and reconciliation in FMS situations. The emotional impact of these presentations was noted, with apologies being difficult for many.
• Authors' Panel: Chaired by Eleanor Goldstein, this panel featured authors like Mark Pendergrast and Paul Simpson who have written extensively on the FMS issue, highlighting the challenges they faced in publishing their work.

Dream Interpretation: Junk Science by Kathy Begert

Kathy Begert, a registered nurse, argues that dream interpretation, particularly when used in psychotherapy, is a form of pseudoscience that can be a dangerous tool for memory manipulation. She contrasts the scientific method of psychology with the practices of "junk scientists" who appropriate scientific jargon to cloak unproved theories. Citing Frederick Crews and Terence Campbell, Begert explains that Freudian dream interpretation lacks empirical evidence and that symbolic interpretations often reflect the therapist's personal idiosyncrasies rather than objective truth. She warns that when dream interpretation is used to unbury "memories" of trauma, it can lead to the creation of false memories and harm individuals, contributing to phenomena like the child sex abuse hysteria.

Recovered Memories: Psychological, Social and Legal Perspectives on a Contemporary Mental Health Controversy

This section reviews a book edited by Sheila Taub, J.D., which contains articles from a 1997 conference. The book covers memory, clinical treatment, and social context related to recovered memories of child sexual abuse. It includes chapters on the history of the FMS Foundation and its legal history.

From Our Readers

Photo That Never Existed by a "Breeder Alter"

This personal account details a woman's experience in therapy where she was implanted with a memory of a "breeder alter" who had supposedly aborted her six-month-old baby and sent a photo of the child at six years old. The author describes her frantic search for this non-existent photo, the therapist's explanations for its absence (another alter hiding it), and her eventual realization that the memory was a fabrication. She expresses anger at the therapist for implanting the memory and the subsequent emotional distress and panic it caused, calling it "cruelty" rather than therapy.

A Retractor

This reader shares her experience as a "retractor" who has reconciled with her daughter but received no apology for the therapy-induced repressed memories and accusing letters from 1992. Despite the reconciliation, she notes the difficulty of bridging the 1800 miles between them and the ongoing pain and self-blame she experiences. She emphasizes that retractors did not intend harm and are likely hurting themselves, urging readers to offer support to those in their lives who have retracted accusations.

Trying to be the Perfect Mom

This mother recounts her efforts to be a "perfect parent" by providing a rich childhood for her children, while simultaneously dealing with unhappy memories of her own alcoholic father. She sought therapy to address her "adult child" issues and the need to create a perfect family to compensate for her own past. Her oldest son's tantrums led to her own intolerance for imperfection, reminding her of her childhood. The account highlights the pressure to maintain a perfect image and the unraveling of her family life.

We Need the FMS Foundation

This section expresses gratitude for the FMS Foundation's support since 1993, when the author's daughter accused her father of sexual abuse based on recovered memories. Despite the daughter's return without retraction or apology, the family continues to rely on the Foundation for help and hope. The author notes that while awareness of FMS and discredited therapy techniques may be growing, new cases are still reported, family reunification is challenging, and research and education remain crucial. The piece concludes by stating that the FMS Foundation is needed to help society "Return to Reason" from the destructive social movement of false memory syndrome.

The End of an Era

This piece reflects on the potential harm caused by psychotherapists diagnosing multiple personality disorder or satanic ritual abuse, leading clients to suicide or developing beliefs of parental abuse. The author questions the role of licensing boards, suggesting they protected their union members rather than clients. The "BEFORE" section contains a letter from a daughter to her mother expressing love and admiration, while the "AFTER" section notes that the daughter moved without leaving contact information. However, contact was later resumed when the daughter became extremely ill and without funds, and her family has since been caring for her.

Article in Demand Added to FMSF Bibliography

An article titled "More Than Suggestion: The Effect of Interviewing Techniques From the McMartin Preschool Case" by Garven, Sena et al. (1998) is recommended for explaining how social influence and reinforcement can elicit false statements from children.

On Wired Magazine's list of 100 things that should be put in the dump file before the millennium:

"recovered memory syndrome"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently advocates for a critical examination of recovered memory claims and the therapeutic practices that facilitate them. The publication strongly critiques psychodynamic theories, particularly concepts like repression and the unconscious, viewing them as outdated and potentially harmful when applied to memory recovery. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence, scientific rigor, and a balanced understanding of memory. It provides a platform for personal testimonies from individuals affected by false memory syndrome, including those who have retracted accusations, and highlights the psychological and social damage that can result from certain therapeutic approaches. The Foundation's stance is one of promoting "reason" and educating the public about the potential dangers of unsubstantiated memory claims and the therapeutic techniques that can lead to their creation. The newsletter also serves as a vital resource for families seeking support and information, fostering a community dedicated to understanding and addressing the complexities of false memory syndrome.