False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 13 No 02 - 2004 marapril

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated March/April 2004, focuses on the persistent issues surrounding false memories, repressed memory therapy, and satanic ritual abuse (SRA) allegations. It highlights significant legal cases, critiques professional organizations that promote unscientific beliefs, and commemorates the contributions of Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer.

Key Legal Cases and Settlements

Elizabeth Gale Malpractice Suit

The issue leads with the $7.5 million settlement awarded to Elizabeth Gale in a psychiatric repressed-memory malpractice case. Gale, who sought help for depression, came to believe she had multiple personalities and was a breeder for a satanic ritual abuse cult. She underwent extensive hospitalization between 1988 and 1994, and even underwent a tubal ligation based on these beliefs. Defendants included Dr. Bennett Braun, Dr. Roberta Sachs, Dr. Corydon Hammond, and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. This settlement is noted as a record for individual psychiatric malpractice suits. The article details the breakdown of the settlement payments among the defendants.

Richard Klassen's Malicious Prosecution Lawsuit

The newsletter reports on the ruling by Saskatchewan Justice George Baynton in the case of Kvello v. Miazga, which found that Richard Klassen and 11 others had been victims of malicious prosecution by Crown prosecutors, a therapist, and a police superintendent. Klassen and others were accused of bizarre child abuse and satanic rites in 1991. Justice Baynton's opinion strongly criticized the "travesty of justice" and the branding of innocent individuals as pedophiles. The ruling emphasized the need to prove malice and the absence of reasonable and probable cause. Klassen filed his lawsuit in 1994 to clear his name and that of his family, and the case gained traction after a CBC program aired an episode on the investigation's problems.

Jesse Friedman's Legal Challenge

Jesse Friedman filed a motion in January 2004 to overturn his conviction for child sexual abuse. Friedman, whose family was the subject of the documentary "Capturing the Friedmans," claims he lied about the abuse during computer classes run by his father. He served 13 years of a sentence imposed in 1988. His motion is based on information gained during the documentary's making, arguing that prosecutors failed to provide potentially exculpatory information and that students were subjected to manipulative questioning and hypnosis.

Other Settlements and Awards

The issue includes a list of settlements and awards exceeding $1 million in recovered memory malpractice cases, featuring examples such as Hamanne v. Humenansky ($2.46 million jury award), Carlson v. Humenansky ($2.5 million jury award), Carl v. Keraga ($5.8 million award), and Sawyer v. Middelfort ($5.08 million award). It also lists settlements in cases like Fultz v. Carr and Walker ($1.57 million settlement) and Rutherford v. Strand et al. ($1 million settlement).

Critique of Professional Organizations and Therapies

California Psychological Association Workshop

The newsletter criticizes the California Psychological Association (CPA) for planning a workshop on "Psychotherapy with Ritual Abuse Survivors," highlighting speakers who advocate unscientific ritual abuse beliefs. The CPA is accused of disregarding patient safety.

Reluctance Towards Evidence-Based Therapies

Dr. Steven Hyman, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, is quoted expressing concern about the reluctance of psychologists and psychiatrists to adopt cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is proven effective. He suggests therapists find it boring and prefer more intuitive, less structured approaches.

Fred Crews' Warning on Pseudoscience

Fred Crews is quoted warning that pseudoscience in psychotherapy inevitably leads to harm, emphasizing that while good science doesn't guarantee good therapy, bad science is detrimental. This is particularly relevant to the debate around recovered memories and satanic abuse.

Anderson Study on Memory Suppression

A study by Anderson et al. on neural systems underlying the suppression of unwanted memories is discussed. While some news outlets claimed it found a mechanism for Freudian suppression, the newsletter notes that experts like Henry Roediger, III, and August Piper, Jr., caution that the results are modest and the interpretation needs care. Neuropsychologist Larry Squire questioned whether the study truly measured repression or simply attention diversion. The newsletter concludes that the study's findings do not directly address the core claims of the recovered memory debate, which concern mechanisms for traumatic memories, not the general ability to push unwanted ideas out of awareness.

In Memoriam: David A. Halperin, M.D.

The newsletter includes an obituary for Dr. David A. Halperin, who passed away on December 3, 2003. Dr. Halperin was a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, a consulting psychiatrist for the Custody Panel of the New York Supreme Court, and an Associate Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He was a frequent speaker and writer on the dangers of destructive cults and helped found the Cult Hotline. He was also a member of the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board and was known for countering "recovered memory" proponents on television.

Book Excerpts and Reviews

"Recovering from Recovered Memories" by Mark Pendergrast

Excerpts from Mark Pendergrast's upcoming book, "Recovering from Recovered Memories," are featured. The book is aimed at individuals who have experienced recovered memories of abuse, their families, and professionals. It explores how people can become susceptible to group fears and social pressure, leading to the adoption of false beliefs. The introduction highlights the difficulty of retracting these memories and the emotional toll it takes.

"Butterfly Effect" Movie Review

A review of the movie "Butterfly Effect" is presented, noting its predominantly negative reviews. The film's plot, which involves a protagonist who can alter the past to change the present, is discussed in relation to multiple personality disorder (MPD) and the concept of time travel. The reviewer suggests the film is unlikely to convince viewers of MPD.

Review of "Remembering Trauma" by Richard J. McNally

The newsletter references a review of Richard J. McNally's book "Remembering Trauma," which is described as an essential work for purging confusion in the field of trauma study. The book addresses whether traumatic experiences are accurately remembered or recovered later, and explores related issues such as the neurological basis of traumatic memory and the effectiveness of memory retrieval.

Retractor's Perspective

Honoring Margaret Thaler Singer

Jeanette D. Bartha writes an appreciation of Dr. Margaret Thaler Singer, a retractor who credits Singer's work on brainwashing, thought reform, and coercion with facilitating her understanding and healing from repressed memory therapy, which she experienced as psychological manipulation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently reinforces the FMS Foundation's stance against the unscientific practices and beliefs associated with the "recovered memory" and "satanic ritual abuse" phenomena. The newsletter champions evidence-based approaches in psychology and psychiatry, criticizes professional organizations that appear to endorse questionable therapies, and provides legal updates and personal accounts that highlight the harm caused by these practices. The editorial tone is critical of therapeutic methods that lead to false accusations and significant personal and legal repercussions, advocating for a return to scientific rigor and critical thinking in the field.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue: Vol. 13 No. 2
Date: March/April 2004
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1069-0484

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter features a collection of reader submissions and informational articles focusing on the complexities of recovered memory, false memory syndrome, and family reconciliation. The content highlights personal experiences, critiques of certain therapeutic approaches, and provides a comprehensive list of resources and contacts for support.

Reader Letters

Picked Up Where She Left Off

This letter from a mother expresses gratitude for the FMSF's support during a difficult period when her daughter, after 11 years of estrangement, slowly resumed contact. The daughter is now mending fences with friends and family, has married, and is expecting a child. The mother notes that her daughter has picked up where she left off, and while the situation is strange, everything feels normal. She credits the FMSF with providing awareness of similar situations and advice on how to deal with them.

Agree to Disagree

Another parent shares their daughter's return to family relationships after years of no contact. The daughter, who had contact with her brother during the estrangement, has turned her life around, is happily married, and expecting a child. She wants her mother involved, and the parents have agreed to this arrangement, deciding that to know their grandchild, they needed to "agree to disagree" on the past estrangement. The daughter is described as a "partial returner" as she is not yet ready to deal with the father, asking him to agree to disagree and not persuade her to include him. The parents remain optimistic but wary. They note seeing the book "Courage to Heal" prominently displayed in a bookstore, indicating ongoing work in this area.

A Hurtful Episode

This letter details a daughter's slow return to family relationships, culminating in a Christmas reunion with the whole family. The parent expresses satisfaction that the daughter is stable, in control, and working. They chose not to question her about the past, viewing it as a painful episode that would be further hurt by open review. The parent thanks the FMSF for its information and guidance, stating it was extremely important.

The Voice of Reason is Quiet

A parent expresses hope that their daughter will someday realize her memories were false and that their family life is good. When asked if she still believed certain things, the daughter replied she would rather not revisit that road and cherishes the relationship she now has with her father. The parent quotes, "The voice of reason is quiet, but it is persistent and will eventually be heard," and expresses gratitude for the FMSF's help during a horrendous time.

Look What We've Been Through!

This letter describes a daughter's return to live in the same city as her parents. While she acts normally, she has not retracted her previous statements. The daughter remarked, "Look what we've been through," which surprised her mother. The parents are choosing to move forward as if nothing happened to avoid stirring up more trouble, emphasizing their love for her.

Destructive Influences

This submission details a parent's investigation into the cause of their daughter's estrangement, which led them to discover she was seeing a counselor who followed the teachings of Dr. Dan Allender. The daughter advised by her counselor, after reading Allender's books and attending seminars, decided her parent was an evil person. The writer states they are one of the lucky few not accused of physical or sexual abuse but of "emotional and relational abuse." They are seeking other families whose relationships have been destroyed by Allender's teachings and provide contact information.

Articles and Features

Keep Fighting

This piece critiques the state of psychotherapy, particularly concerning recovered memories. The author expresses frustration with the ongoing fight for sanity in psychotherapy, noting that many people believe nonsense without empirical evidence. The author is seeking families whose relationships have been destroyed by Dan Allender's teachings and provides contact information. The author vows to continue fighting against "mental health malpractices" and for responsible, evidence-based psychotherapy, acknowledging the valuable service of the FMSF and its Scientific Advisory Board.

"A mind, they say, is a terrible thing to waste..."

This is a quote from an article by W. Morris in the Boston Globe, discussing how movies often use memory loss, amnesia, and brainwashing as plot devices.

"It seems every American drama series needs to have at least one episode..."

This is a quote from a TV preview by L. Pryor in the Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on the frequent portrayal of multiple personality disorder in American drama series.

Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered Lives

This section reviews Mark Pendergrast's book, "Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered Lives." The review highlights the book's impressive scholarship and comprehensive treatment of the recovered-memories controversy, offering a broad portrayal of the social and cultural contexts. It praises Pendergrast's ability to present all sides of the argument and his sympathetic portrayal of recovery therapists as well-intentioned but misinformed.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families

This mentions a popular video made by the Rutherford family that covers their story from accusation to retraction and reconciliation. It highlights Beth Rutherford's comments on how her family helped her to retract and return. Ordering information for the video is provided.

SNOWBIRDS

A brief notice asking readers to send the FMSF their change of address if they are snowbirds.

Web Sites of Interest

A comprehensive list of websites related to false memory, recovered memory, and related topics is provided, including sites from universities, research groups, and advocacy organizations.

Legal Web Sites of Interest

A list of legal websites is provided for research purposes.

New Web Site of Interest: Theophostic Ministry

This section introduces a new website investigating "Theophostic Ministry," questioning its biblical basis and safety. It directs readers to a free e-book by Jan Fletcher that reports on this ministry.

Save the Date

An announcement for an event titled "Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology and the Courtroom" featuring several prominent speakers, scheduled for April 17, 2004, sponsored by the University of Washington School of Law and Education Plus.

Remembering Trauma

A recommendation for Richard McNally's book, "Remembering Trauma," published by Harvard University Press, described as the most comprehensive review of research about trauma and memory.

Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

A recommendation for the edited volume "Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology" by S. O. Lilienfeld, S.J. Lynn, and J.M. Lohr.

Bulletin Board

This section provides a comprehensive list of FMS Foundation contacts and meetings across the United States, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. It includes names, phone numbers, and meeting times/locations for various support groups.

General Information and Contributions

Copyright and Contact Information

The newsletter is copyrighted 2004 by the FMS Foundation, with contact details for their Philadelphia office, including phone, fax, and website. Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., is listed as the Executive Director.

FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board

A list of the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board members as of March 1, 2004, includes numerous medical doctors and Ph.D.s from various universities and institutions.

E-mail Subscription

Information is provided on how to subscribe to receive electronic versions of the newsletter and FMS broadcasts via email.

Contribution Information

Details are provided on how to contribute to the FMS Foundation, including options for Visa, Mastercard, checks, and money orders. The foundation is a qualified 501(c)3 corporation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the impact of recovered memory therapy on families, the process of reconciliation, and skepticism towards certain psychotherapeutic practices. The FMS Foundation appears to advocate for evidence-based approaches and provides a platform for individuals to share their experiences and seek support. The editorial stance is critical of therapies that may lead to false memories or family estrangement, while offering resources and community for those affected by these issues. There is a strong emphasis on scientific and evidence-based approaches to psychology and memory.