False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 19 No 01 - 2010 winter

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated Winter 2010 (Vol. 19, No. 1), addresses the ongoing challenges and developments in the understanding and treatment of recovered memory phenomena. It highlights legal decisions, critiques of psychological practices, and the contributions of key figures in the field.

Main Articles and Discussions

Minnesota Court Excludes Expert Testimony on Repressed and Recovered Memories

The lead story details a significant ruling by Minnesota District Court Judge Gregg E. Johnson in the case of John Doe76C vs. Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Following a Frye-Mack evidentiary hearing, Judge Johnson concluded that expert testimony regarding repressed and recovered memory could not be presented by the plaintiffs. The ruling stated that the plaintiffs failed to meet the burden of proof to show that the theory of repressed and recovered memory is reliable and trustworthy, citing significant methodological flaws in the supporting studies and a lack of any test for reliability. The court also commented on the inclusion of "dissociative amnesia" in the DSM-IV, stating that its mention does not establish general acceptance or scientific proof of the theory, referencing a U.S. Supreme Court decision that diagnoses in the DSM-IV may mask professional debate and are not scientific references.

Critiques of Clinical Psychology and a Proposal for Reform

The newsletter presents a strong critique of the current state of clinical psychology, arguing that the field is deeply ambivalent about the role of science in informing practice. Citing a paper by Timothy Baker, Richard McFall, and Varda Shoham in *Psychological Science in the Public Interest*, the article suggests that clinical psychology resembles medicine in the early 1900s before the Flexner report. The authors argue that the American Psychological Association's (APA) accreditation system is intransigent to change and fails to ensure scientific rigor. They propose a new accreditation system, the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), initiated by the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science (APCS), to foster a new breed of integrative clinical scientists and promote evidence-based practices.

Does Childhood Trauma Cause Adult Obesity?

This section critically examines a *Time* magazine article that claimed childhood trauma can cause adult obesity, based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences study. The FMSF Newsletter argues that the conclusion is not supported by the research, highlighting the fallacy of correlation implying causality and the problem of recall bias in retrospective studies. It points out that while physical abuse might be associated with adult obesity, the *Time* article's conclusion is an oversimplification and ignores other factors. The article contrasts the *Time* magazine's approach with more rigorous prospective studies, such as those by Dr. Cathy Widom, which found no causal link between childhood sexual abuse and adult substance abuse or pain syndromes.

FMSF Advisors in the News

Aaron T. Beck: The newsletter features Aaron Beck, an FMSF Advisor, who is lauded for his invention of cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). The article highlights Beck's rigorous, scientific, data-driven approach, which has shifted psychotherapy towards an evidence-based model. His work is described as a major advance, moving away from the

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: Winter 2010
Volume: Vol. 19 No. 1
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1069-0484

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into legal cases concerning repressed memory, ethical issues in therapy, and a controversial sex abuse case in Missouri. It also features reader contributions and resources related to the False Memory Syndrome.

Legal Cases and Therapy Ethics

The newsletter begins by referencing two legal cases, 'Rivers v. Father Flanagan's Boys Town' and 'Duffy v. Father Flanagan's Boys Town,' both from Nebraska. In these cases, courts ruled against the admissibility of repressed memory testimony, citing a lack of scientific reliability and proper application under Rule 702 and Daubert/Schaferman standards. The 'Duffy' case resulted in a judgment for the defendant as a matter of law.

A significant article details an ethics complaint filed against James A. Brigante, a licensed clinical social worker in New York. The complaint, initiated by Lucian and Josie Parlato of Amherst, New York, concerns Brigante's treatment of their daughter, Jodi Gburek. Brigante allegedly wrote a defamatory letter accusing the Parlatos of sexually, emotionally, and physically abusing Jodi in her childhood, implying they should be denied visitation rights with their grandson, Shane Naab. The Parlatos faced difficulties obtaining Brigante's therapy records and Gburek's narrative, which formed the basis of the defamatory letter. The complaint alleges Brigante misrepresented therapy contents and suppressed Gburek's narrative, promoting a theory of repressed memory not recognized by the scientific community. The New York State Education Department's Office of Professional Discipline is investigating the complaint, with potential disciplinary actions ranging from reprimand to license revocation.

Missouri Sex Abuse Charges Divide Community

This section, reported by B.D. from Overland Park, KS, details a highly publicized case involving the arrest of Burrell Edward Mohler, Sr., 77, and his four sons on child sexual abuse charges. The alleged abuse occurred on the family farm between 1988 and 1995. The accusations stemmed from interviews with Burrell Ed Jr.'s 26-year-old daughter, who claimed to have suppressed memories of abuse perpetrated on herself and her siblings. She identified eight specific memories of abuse and one involving her brother, which she was forced to witness. The accusations included mock weddings, rapes, and forced sexual relations with a dog. The daughter also claimed she became pregnant in 1995 and was forced to have an abortion. Investigators were told that the children were instructed to write down their bad memories and bury them in mason jars around the farm.

Further interviews with two other sisters and one brother corroborated some of the memories. The brother recalled digging up and reburying the mason jars. One sister recalled being forced into sexual relations with a horse and implicated Darrel Mohler, the grandfather's brother, who was subsequently arrested. Jeanette Mohler, the ex-wife of Burrell Ed Jr. and mother of the accusers, claimed she knew of the abuse at the time but did not report it to authorities.

The accusations expanded to include claims of child pornography and multiple murders committed by the grandfather, father, and uncles. The men allegedly used coded messages in Louis L'Amour books and kept souvenirs from victims. Siblings reportedly led investigators to a site where they claimed to have buried a 300-pound man who had been kidnapped, choked, and stabbed to death at their father's request. Sheriff Alumbaugh of Lafayette County issued a plea for other victims. Another accuser, a young woman unrelated to the family, claimed to have been held as a sex slave for two years, impregnated twice, with the first baby murdered and buried in the basement.

However, the report critically examines the evidence. Searches and excavations yielded an ax, a box-like area in the basement (which was only dirt), hand-labeled video tapes, an unidentified bone fragment, and a shard of glass. No baby was found under the concrete, and the alleged 300-pound man's burial site could not be located. No mason jars were discovered. Sheriff Alumbaugh later announced that the woman who reported being held for two years was no longer part of the investigation. Court records show Jeanette Mohler had made numerous court appearances for visitation and child support issues, and protection orders against Ed Jr. were denied, raising questions about why she did not report abuse earlier. The local newspapers' reports of 'incest porn' were found to be a collection of various legal pornography, not indicative of predilection toward young people. To date, none of the men have been charged with child porn possession or murder, and the prosecutor does not expect to file additional charges.

The 'Thoughts of a Skeptic' section questions the fragility of reputations based on accusations alone, noting that the accused men were hardworking, charitable, and active community members. The article cites the legal concept 'Falsus in Unum, Falsus in Omibus' (False in one thing, false in everything) and argues that the lack of evidence for murder claims destroys the credibility of other accusations.

Reader Contributions and Updates

Several reader letters offer personal perspectives. One 'Mom' recounts her experience with her husband's sister who accused her mother of sexual abuse after therapy. She pursued a master's degree in counseling and has worked as a Crisis Counselor, educating people about false and repressed memories. She encloses articles about men accused in Missouri, likening the situation to the Wenatchee, Washington sexual abuse hysteria.

Another reader, a 'mom and dad,' shares their positive experience of reconnecting with their daughter after 15 years of separation, emphasizing enjoying the present and thanking the FMSF for their support.

A letter titled 'Courage to Keep on Living' describes a person who felt rescued by the FMSF during a difficult time following accusations from their child. The writer reflects on their life and sanity, finding courage to address the problem after reading about the FMSF. They conducted an 'examination of conscience' and felt secure in their innocence, finding renewed optimism.

'No Happy Ending Yet' is a brief account from a father whose daughter accused him of abuse in 1998. In 2009, he attempted to see her, but she reacted with hostility. The father expresses sadness over not seeing his daughter and her two children.

'Wanting to Talk' is a letter from a 'searching dad' who, in response to a previous newsletter query about parental reconciliation, expresses a desire to communicate with other mothers who have been accused. He provides an email address for contact.

A quote from Alan Gold's 'Expert Evidence in Criminal Law' is featured, emphasizing that syndromes and indicators are hypotheses and not proof, requiring accurate data collection and scientific reasoning.

Books of Interest and Resources

The newsletter lists several books related to memory, trauma, and psychology, including 'Remembering Trauma' by Richard McNally, 'Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology' by Lilienfeld, Lynn, and Lohr, and 'Remembering Our Childhood: How Memory Betrays Us' by Karl Sabbagh.

An article titled 'Recovering Lost Memories' discusses the phenomenon of 'false-memory syndrome' and the commonality of false memories being formed or triggered by innocent catalysts, citing studies where one-third to two-thirds of participants recalled events that never happened.

The Rutherford Family's story is highlighted, with a DVD available covering their experience from accusation to retraction and reconciliation.

Contact information for the FMS Foundation, including phone, fax, email, and website, is provided, along with a form for donations. A list of FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board members and deceased advisors is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the unreliability and potential for fabrication of repressed memories, the ethical considerations in therapy and legal proceedings involving such claims, and the devastating impact of false accusations on individuals and families. The FMS Foundation positions itself as a resource and support system for those affected by false memory syndrome, advocating for critical examination of evidence and promoting a skeptical approach to unsubstantiated claims, particularly in legal and therapeutic contexts. The editorial stance appears to be one of caution regarding memory claims, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific evidence and highlighting instances where accusations have been unsubstantiated or retracted.