False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 13 No 03 - 2004 mayjune

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated May/June 2004, focuses on the ongoing efforts to bring scientific rigor and accountability to the fields of memory, psychotherapy, and the legal system. The FMSF reiterates its long-held position that memories can be false and highlights recent developments supporting this view. The newsletter covers significant legal decisions, scientific research, and international case studies.

Key Developments and Research

The newsletter celebrates the election of FMSF Advisory Board member Elizabeth Loftus to the National Academy of Sciences, recognizing her prominent role in advocating for positions aligned with the Foundation. It also notes that the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board now includes seven members from the NAS and IOM. The issue references a study by Stephen Lindsay and colleagues hypothesizing that childhood photos, combined with imagination, can yield compelling pseudomemories, with a study showing a dramatic 67% rate of false memory development when photos were used.

Legal System Reforms and Decisions

A major focus is the U.S. Supreme Court's unanimous decision in *Crawford v. Washington* (March 8, 2004). This ruling re-established the right of defendants to cross-examine witnesses, disallowing hearsay evidence that had become prevalent. Justice Antonin Scalia's opinion is quoted, emphasizing that dispensing with confrontation is akin to dispensing with a jury trial. The decision is seen as a rebuke to judicial 'legislation' and a step towards restoring the Sixth Amendment's protections, particularly in family law cases where allegations of abuse have been used to strip parental rights.

International Case Study: The Netherlands

The issue provides an extensive history of the 'Repressed Memory Therapy Fiasco' in the Netherlands. It details how, during the 1980s, concerns over childhood sexual abuse led to the rise of recovered memory therapy, influenced by American proponents. Government-commissioned reports, including those by Nel Draijer and later by the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Criminality and Law Enforcement (NISCALE) and the National Expert Group on Unusual Sexual Crimes, thoroughly condemned repressed/recovered memory therapy and suggestive memory retrieval practices. The Ministry of Justice and the National Ombudsman issued reports criticizing the lack of action from mental health professions and the Ministry of Health's reluctance to intervene. The Health Council's 2004 report acknowledged that memories recovered during suggestive therapy may be false and harmful.

The article highlights the efforts of the *Werkgroep Fictieve Herinneringen* (WFH) and its predecessors in providing information, advocating for the falsely accused, and educating the media and legal system. It also notes other factors contributing to awareness, such as lectures by Elizabeth Loftus and publications by Dutch scholars. The documentary 'Hidden mothers—incest pregnancies' and a subsequent legal challenge are also mentioned.

Accountability in Psychotherapy

The newsletter discusses the consequences for therapists involved in questionable practices. Attorney Michael Shinn describes a case involving Diane Lackey, who was allegedly influenced by therapists asserting that Dr. Joseph Mengele founded Multiple Personality Disorder and that she was possessed by demons and involved in Masonic rituals. The case highlights the ethical responsibilities of counselors, including the need for differential diagnosis and avoiding unscientific methodologies. The article also notes that the Netherlands is cutting back on psychotherapy funding, partly due to the self-inflicted problems of the industry, which has allowed outlandish and unproven therapies to proliferate.

Patient Rights and Updates

New Hampshire has approved a bill of rights for mental health patients, ensuring the right to informed consent and effective treatment. The issue also provides an update on the Gerald Amirault case, noting his expected release on parole and the District Attorney's decision not to appeal, citing insufficient evidence for re-offending. A fictional case study from Mark Pendergrast's book proposal, 'Recovering from Recovered Memories,' illustrates the potential for suggestive therapy to create false memories in a young woman named Betty O'Connor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMSF continues its consistent stance against the uncritical acceptance of recovered memories and advocates for scientific evidence-based practices in psychology and law. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, the dangers of pseudoscience in legal and therapeutic contexts, and the need for accountability among professionals. The editorial tone is one of cautious optimism, acknowledging progress made while recognizing the ongoing challenges in combating the influence of unscientific theories and practices.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue: Vol. 13 No. 3
Date: May/June 2004
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: United States
Language: English

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into the complex and often painful subject of recovered memories, primarily through personal narratives and reader contributions. The central focus is the story of Betty, an incest survivor, who, with the help of her counselor Sheila, uses guided imagery to uncover repressed memories of abuse by her father, uncle, and grandfather. The newsletter details her journey through therapy, her confrontation with her family, and her eventual, albeit complex, reconciliation.

Betty's Story: Recovered Memories and Reconciliation

The lead article, "Betty's Story: A Recovered Memory Case," chronicles Betty's experience. Initially attending an incest survivors group, Betty found that while the stories didn't directly trigger her own memories, they deeply upset her. She began reading books on the subject and realized she fit many incest survivor checklists. Through sessions with her counselor, Sheila, Betty explored her feelings about her father, recalling childhood excitement mixed with fear, and questioning her mother's absence during bedtime stories. Sheila employed guided imagery, a technique Betty learned about from Renee Fredrickson's book, to help her access subconscious memories. During a session, Betty experienced a strong emotional breakthrough, screaming and contorting her body, confirming the abuse. Over several months, Betty solidified these memories through journaling and further guided imagery, recalling abuse from age three to fourteen by her father, uncle, and grandfather, and her mother's complicity. She wrote a letter to her parents, demanding confession and therapy, threatening to cut ties if they didn't comply. Her parents denied the allegations and begged for reconciliation. Betty dropped out of college and took a secretarial job, finding it hard to concentrate due to the upheaval. Sheila continued to see her pro bono. After five years, Betty, feeling burned out and emotionally raw, decided to take a break from therapy and the survivor group. She returned to college and, fearing rejection, reached out to her mother for a lunch meeting. While she did not retract her allegations, she has since graduated from college and is pursuing a career in public relations. She regularly visits her family, including her father, but avoids discussing the abuse. Her parents, having educated themselves on the issue, have offered her a reading list for when she is ready to confront the memories, but Betty currently avoids dealing with the controversy surrounding recovered memories.

From Our Readers

This section features several letters from readers sharing their experiences and perspectives:

• Recommended Reading: A reader expresses excitement about Fred Crews' article in the *New York Review of Books*, which discusses PTSD and the use of recovered memories and MPD as a "garbage pail" for pseudo-illnesses. The reader notes the growing skepticism towards these concepts.
• Picked Up Where We Left Off: A mother recounts the unexpected reconnection with her daughter after 12 years of no communication, prompted by the tragic death of her husband's brother and his wife in a plane crash on 9/11. Despite the difficult circumstances, the family has managed to rebuild their relationship, choosing not to discuss the intervening years.
• A Miracle: A father shares the story of his estranged daughter's return to the family fold. After his wife's death, their daughter, who had maintained contact, called her accusing daughter to inform her. The daughter then participated enthusiastically in her mother's memorial service, reading a scripture and sharing memories, signifying a profound reconciliation.
• Always Worry: A mother and father express relief that their daughter has returned and now questions her past abuse allegations, but they remain anxious about the possibility of future issues.
• Patience Worked: Parents share positive news about their son, who had been estranged for years, calling to apologize for his past behavior. While he did not recant his accusations, his apology is seen as a significant step towards family unity. They emphasize the importance of patience and allowing him to come to his own realizations.

Resources and Information

The newsletter also provides extensive resources for readers:

• Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered Lives by Mark Pendergrast is recommended as a comprehensive and sympathetic treatment of the recovered-memories controversy.
• A list of Web Sites of Interest is provided, including links to organizations focused on false memory, memory exhibits, and therapy-related sites, such as the Lampinen Lab False Memory Reading Group, The Exploratorium Memory Exhibit, and sites run by retractors.
• Legal Web Sites of Interest are listed, offering resources for legal assistance and information.
• A New Web Site of Interest is highlighted, focusing on Theophostic Ministry and its theological and Christian apologist perspectives.
• Another New web site of interest from the Netherlands is mentioned, established by a retractor.
• Remembering Trauma by Richard McNally is highly recommended for its comprehensive review of research about trauma and memory.
• Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology by Lilienfeld, Lynn, and Lohr is also highly recommended.
• The FMSF Bulletin Board lists contacts and meeting information for FMSF chapters across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
• Information is provided on how to order the Rutherford family video and on submitting meeting notices for the newsletter.

Publisher Information and Contributions

The newsletter includes copyright information for 2004, contact details for the FMS Foundation in Philadelphia, and the ISSN number. It also provides an email address for receiving electronic versions of the newsletter and broadcast notices. The False Memory Syndrome Foundation is identified as a 501(c)3 corporation. Information on how to contribute to the Foundation is detailed, including options for Visa, Mastercard, and Check/Money Order, with a minimum credit card donation of $25.

The FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board is listed, comprising numerous doctors, psychologists, authors, and academics in relevant fields.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the personal and societal impact of recovered memories, particularly in cases of alleged sex abuse. The newsletter appears to adopt a stance of skepticism towards the uncritical acceptance of recovered memories, as evidenced by the recommendation of critical reviews and resources from retractors. The emphasis on personal narratives, like Betty's, serves to illustrate the complexities and emotional toll of these experiences, while also highlighting the potential for family reconciliation through patience and understanding. The extensive lists of resources suggest an aim to inform readers and provide avenues for further research and support, particularly for those involved in disputes related to memory claims.