False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 15 No 06 - 2006 novdec

Magazine Overview

The False Memory Syndrome Foundation Newsletter, Volume 15, Number 6, dated November/December 2006, addresses the persistent issue of ritual abuse beliefs and critiques related therapeutic and research practices. The newsletter's cover headline quotes a source suggesting ritual abuse may be a fading fad, but the content immediately counters this by highlighting its continued prevalence.

Ritual Abuse and Recovered Memories

The newsletter opens by noting that belief in satanic ritual abuse continues to thrive, citing the case of Donna Krahn, who is suing therapists in British Columbia, Canada, for allegedly encouraging her to believe she was a victim of bizarre satanic rituals, which resulted in her losing custody of her children. The suit names Elijah House and Steve Oglevie, a counselor who claims to have removed "mind-control systems" from numerous individuals. The newsletter questions how such beliefs can persist and points to Christian "healing" centers in Australia, which operate under the radar of monitoring agencies, as a potential factor. It also discusses a report titled "Ritual Abuse & Torture in Australia" published by the Advocates for Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA), funded by the government, which is described as superficially impressive but containing a hodgepodge of references, including self-published papers and articles by discredited individuals.

The article "Woman Sues Christian-Based Pastoral Counseling Service for False Memories of Satanic Abuse" details Donna Marie Krahn's lawsuit against Elijah House Canada and Steve Oglevie, alleging that counselors used techniques like dream interpretation and hypnosis, leading her to believe she had been physically, sexually, and satanically abused by her husband and family. The lawsuit claims this treatment compromised her ability to parent, leading to the loss of custody of her seven children. The Krahn Divorce Judgment is cited, with Justice R.A. McKinnon noting the counselors' unorthodox views and the potentially harmful nature of their "therapy," despite their lack of qualifications.

"Who Are the Counselors in the Krahn Suit?" identifies Brian and Della Headley as leaders of "The Listening Prayer Community" in Mission, BC, formerly of Elijah House Canada. Their seminar topics include "family style and family baggage" and "generational healing." Stephen Oglevie is described as a retired law-enforcement chaplain obsessed with mind control programming and satanism, who conducts deprogramming sessions in Idaho. He claims to have spent twelve years removing mind-control systems from over 375 people.

The section "Does Australia Have A Ritual Abuse and Torture Problem: Review of a New Report" critiques the ASCA report, calling it "extremely muddled." The authors of the ASCA report are described as ASCA members who aim to bring a new perspective on ritual abuse. The newsletter argues that the ASCA report incorrectly claims that FMS proponents deny that adults can forget and then remember childhood events, stating that FMS concerns are about special memory mechanisms for traumatic events. The report is criticized for grouping situations with and without evidence, and for associating old beliefs with terrorist groups to seem more respectable. The newsletter questions the ASCA report's assertion about "organized abusers" and the lack of naming them, and points out that the only group challenging survivor claims mentioned is the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. The review also highlights issues with the report's references, citing Robert Rockwell, who was forced to surrender his medical license, and other problematic sources.

"Beneath the Radar" discusses how recovered memory beliefs may persist within the Christian counseling community due to practices operating "beneath the radar of ordinary regulations." It highlights Australian investigative journalist Richard Guilliatt's documentation of a situation where unlicensed "healers" are difficult to hold accountable. The case of Liz Mullinar is presented, who, after believing she recovered memories of rape through hypnosis, formed the lobbying group ASCA. Her Christian healing center, Mayumarri, received significant government funding but faced numerous complaints from former staff regarding dangerous practices, including drug-taking, sexual indiscretions, and negligence. Guilliatt observed that Mayumarri operates in a "regulatory void."

Debates in False Memory Research

The newsletter features several articles discussing academic debates surrounding false memory research. One section, "New Complaint About False Memory Research," outlines claims by Kathy Pezdek and Shirley Lam that researchers have misused the term "false memory," employed wrong methodologies, and misapplied conclusions. They argue that "false memory" should refer only to the planting of entirely new events, not to distortions of existing memories, and that studies on source monitoring or intrusion errors are not relevant to implanted memories in child sexual abuse cases. Kimberly Wade and colleagues responded, stating that "false memory" is commonly used in cognitive psychology to describe a wide range of episodic memory distortions, and Pezdek and Lam's definition is unique.

Another article, "Troubling New Paper: Purveying Beliefs that Have Harmed Others," critically examines Constance Dalenberg's paper in *Trauma, Violence & Abuse*. The paper argues that recovered memory evidence should be admissible in court. The newsletter identifies two major conceptual flaws: Dalenberg's failure to explicitly define terms and her implication that scientific consensus on specific memory mechanisms translates to consensus on "traumatic amnesia." The newsletter explains that while incomplete encoding and ordinary forgetfulness are accepted phenomena, there is no consensus that individuals can be rendered unable to remember an entire traumatic event. Dalenberg is accused of misleading readers by conflating these issues and implying that scientific consensus on one supports the other.

Personal Account: "Lost in Therapy"

The issue includes a multi-part personal narrative titled "Lost in Therapy." Part 1 describes the author's entry into therapy after her brother's alcoholism treatment, leading her to ACOA meetings and subsequently to a rape survivor's group after being raped. She then sought therapy to address promiscuity and depression, and was suggested to see a psychiatrist who specialized in "blocked out" memories of child sexual abuse.

Part 2 details the author's three years of therapy, which involved hypnosis, being diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder (later Multiple Personality Disorder), and isolation from her family. She was encouraged to believe she had repressed memories of sexual abuse, and the therapist suggested she might have been abused by multiple family members. The author was hospitalized and threatened with being sent home if she did not produce a repressed memory. She eventually reported a memory of her father sexually abusing her, which she later questioned as potentially fabricated due to therapist influence.

Part 3 recounts the author's decision to leave therapy after three years, feeling worse than ever and observing that most other patients also left due to frustration. She realized that the therapy was not helping and that she was disconnected from her support system. Despite her fear of hurting others, she left and found another psychiatrist who validated her experience and helped her recover. The narrative highlights the author's struggle with panic attacks and the slow process of rebuilding her life.

Other Content

The newsletter also includes a brief mention of Aaron T. Beck, M.D., receiving the Lasker Award for his work on Cognitive Therapy, noting its effectiveness in treating depression and Somatization Disorder. A "Withering Review" critiques Alice Miller's book *The Body Never Lies*, with Carol Tavris suggesting Miller exhibits "wilful blindness to the advances of science."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistence and alleged harm caused by recovered memory practices, particularly within certain therapeutic communities (especially Christian counseling), and the critique of research and media that support or perpetuate these beliefs. The editorial stance is clearly critical of the recovered memory movement and its associated therapeutic techniques, advocating for rigorous scientific standards and caution against unsubstantiated claims. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between genuine memory phenomena and potentially harmful therapeutic constructs, and highlights the need for regulation in the field of alternative healing.

The FMS Foundation Newsletter, Volume 15, Number 6, published in November/December 2006, focuses on themes related to False Memory Syndrome (FMS), recovered memories, and related psychological phenomena. The issue features personal accounts from readers, book reviews, and discussions on the scientific and cultural aspects of memory and belief.

Reader Contributions

A Grandson Returns This personal account details a family's experience with estrangement caused by a daughter's participation in therapy that led to accusations of abuse. The narrator's daughter had been estranged for years after undergoing 'therapy' in Eugene, Oregon. Her son, the narrator's grandson, was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and was adopted and raised by the narrator and their son. After years of little contact, the grandson, now 31, reconnected with his grandparents. He had been led to believe his grandparents had severed ties, unaware of the accusations his mother had made. The grandson visited and spent Christmas with them, during which he asked about a story his mother had told him about the narrator turning up the heat in a room to harm him when he was a baby. The narrator explained that this was a false memory implanted by a therapist.

Seeing the Humor Another reader expresses that despite ongoing estrangement from her daughter, life is good, and she has learned to see the humor in the bizarre situation. She acknowledges her wounded spirit has calloused over and expresses gratitude for the work of the FMS Foundation.

Hurtful Hallucinations A reader shares how the FMS Foundation provided support through difficult events involving their daughter. The daughter, once a loving child, changed after believing she had recovered memories of abuse. The reader describes her daughter as a 'stereotypical case' who, at 31 in 1993, felt the need to be right, becoming selfish and cruel, rejecting family members and refusing contact. The reader and her husband have come to terms with the situation, finding their lives happier without dealing with their daughter's 'hallucinations' and 'venomous attitude.'

Accept What Is This brief note from a 'mom and dad' expresses thanks to the Foundation for easing their pain. They state they have no contact with their daughter but accept the current situation.

Articles and Reviews

Forgotten Victims This section discusses the ongoing 'memory wars' and the potential for 'victims of false memory syndrome' to be left behind, similar to prisoners of war. The author, a psychiatrist who served temporary assignments in two Midwestern prisons, encountered inmates convicted as sexual offenders who could not recall the sexual abuse events for which they were convicted, though they remembered the legal proceedings. The author suggests that these individuals might be forgotten victims of these 'memory wars.'

Evidence for the Need for Ongoing Education About Memory and Suggestibility: Children's Past Lives: How Past Life Memories Affect Your Child This is a review of Carol Bowman's book, which explores cases where children have recalled past lives, sometimes through hypnosis, leading to the disappearance of phobias. The author, Brian Weiss, M.D., states the book is important because children's accounts of past lives are powerful evidence for reincarnation.

Back in the Family A reader shares that after 17 years of estrangement, one of their two daughters, who had sued them for alleged molestation from childhood, has contacted them asking for forgiveness. The daughter, who had previously 'forgotten' the alleged events for 15 years until seeing a family therapist, is now back in contact and wants to be part of the family.

Belief in Practice of Exhuming Memories Still Holds Sway in Some Communities This section reviews Annie Rogers' work, which uses psychoanalysis to help abuse victims uncover 'buried secrets.' It describes how Rogers pieces together a narrative from language, symptoms, and actions, using a case of an 11-year-old girl with debilitating headaches and anxiety. The review highlights Rogers' method of listening for motifs and acting on hunches, such as asking if 'headaches' could be a code for 'Ed aches,' referring to a neighbor named Ed.

ABDUCTED: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped by Aliens This is a review of Susan A. Clancy's book, which examines why people come to believe they were abducted by aliens. Clancy suggests that alien abduction has become a culturally available explanation for distress and that people often seek answers to questions about unexplained experiences, leading them to explanations they have heard. The book also touches on the emotional needs people have for connection, to feel special, and to believe in something larger than themselves.

Resources and Information

Web Sites of Interest A comprehensive list of websites related to False Memory Syndrome, Satanic Ritual Abuse, and skepticism is provided.

Legal Web Sites of Interest A list of legal websites for research purposes is included.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families This section promotes a DVD by the Rutherford family detailing their experience with accusation, retraction, and reconciliation related to FMS.

Recommended Books Several books are recommended, including "Remembering Trauma" by Richard McNally, "Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology" edited by Lilienfeld, Lynn, and Lohr, and "Psychology Astray: Fallacies in Studies of 'Repressed Memory' and Childhood Trauma" by Harrison G. Pope, Jr., M.D.

FMSF Contact Information Contact details for the FMS Foundation, including phone, fax, email, and website, are provided. The Executive Director is Pamela Freyd, Ph.D.

FMS Scientific and Professional Advisory Board A list of members of the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board is presented, including numerous academics and professionals in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields.

Contribution Information Information on how to contribute to the FMS Foundation is included, with options for Visa, Discover, Mastercard, or check/money order.

Bulletin Board: Contacts & Meetings This section lists contacts and meeting information for FMS support groups across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently addresses the complexities and controversies surrounding recovered memories, false memory syndrome, and the impact of therapeutic interventions. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards the uncritical acceptance of recovered memories, particularly those alleging childhood abuse, and a focus on providing support and information to individuals and families affected by these issues. The newsletter highlights personal stories of estrangement and reconciliation, scientific and legal discussions on memory, and resources for further research. There is an underlying theme of advocating for a more critical and evidence-based approach to memory claims, particularly in legal and therapeutic contexts, while also acknowledging the distress experienced by individuals involved.