False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 20 No 01 - 2011 winter

Magazine Overview

Title: FALSE MEMORY SYNDROME FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Issue: WINTER 2011, Vol. 20 No. 1
Publisher: False Memory Syndrome Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter focuses heavily on legal battles and the fight for accountability in cases involving recovered memory therapy. The lead story details the significant $1 million jury award in the Johnson v. Rogers Memorial Hospital case, highlighting the challenges parents face when their children develop false memories of abuse.

The Johnson Case: A Landmark Victory

The central narrative revolves around Karen and Charles Johnson, who sued therapists Kay Phillips and Jeffrey Hollowell for negligence in treating their daughter, Charlotte. After 15 years of legal proceedings, including two trips to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a jury found the therapists negligent, awarding the Johnsons $1 million. Charlotte had developed beliefs of being forced into satanic rituals and that her parents had tried to murder her, stemming from therapy sessions.

The newsletter emphasizes the difficulty in accessing therapy records, which are typically privileged. The Johnsons' legal team, led by attorney William Smoler, successfully argued for the disclosure of these records, which then formed the basis of the case. Smoler focused on establishing the 'standards of care' for therapists and demonstrating how Phillips and Hollowell failed to meet them. Key standards mentioned include the duty to do no harm, stay current with literature, adapt treatment plans, consider memory plausibility, and discuss historical facts.

The trial itself is described as riveting and emotional, with FMSF families present to support the Johnsons. The defense experts argued that the treatment met the standards of care, but the jury ultimately sided with the plaintiffs. The case is presented as a symbolic win for families who believe their children have been harmed by therapy focused on excavating memories.

Legal Corner and Case Summaries

Beyond the main Johnson case, the newsletter includes a "Legal Corner" that delves deeper into the legal aspects. It details the procedural history of the Johnson case, including the initial dismissal by the Dane County Circuit Court and subsequent appeals. The Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision in July 2005 is highlighted, which allowed a judge to decide if therapy records could be made available to parents under specific circumstances, creating a potential waiver of privilege.

Another case, *Sullivan v. Cheshier*, is summarized, involving third-party parents suing a therapist who declared their daughter's depression was due to sexual abuse, leading to accusations against all five Sullivan children. This case was dismissed, with the court ruling that the daughter's rights to confidentiality outweighed the parents' interest in compensation.

The newsletter also features a story about Jim Fairlie, who wrote a book titled "Unbreakable Bonds" detailing his struggle to clear his name after being falsely accused of sexually abusing his daughter. Fairlie sued the National Health Service and social services, but his case was dismissed due to lack of a duty of care. His daughter Katrina's experience in psychiatric treatment, involving mind-altering drugs and hypnosis, led to her false accusations.

An Oregon man, Stephan Skotko, is reported to have filed a $1 million lawsuit against marriage counselors Marion and Doris Knox, alleging that their sessions led to false charges of child abuse against him. The Knoxes' counseling practices, particularly their belief that most people have been anally sodomized, are questioned.

Professional and Personal Reflections

The issue includes an obituary for Robyn M. Dawes, a founding member of the FMSF Scientific Advisory Board and a distinguished psychology professor. It also highlights a new book series from APS and Psychology Press that honors three FMSF Scientific Advisory Board members: Robyn M. Dawes, Elizabeth F. Loftus, and Henry L. Roediger, III. Books dedicated to each are described, focusing on their contributions to psychology, memory research, and legal applications.

An update on psychiatrist Dr. Bennett G. Braun is provided, noting his current practice in Montana and the absence of malpractice findings on his professional record, despite past legal settlements related to MPD and recovered memory therapy.

Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently advocates for therapist accountability and parental rights in cases involving alleged recovered memories. It critiques the therapeutic practices that can lead to false accusations and emphasizes the importance of common sense and empirical research in psychology. The editorial stance is clearly in support of families who have been wrongly accused and seeks to provide them with resources and legal insights. The recurring theme is the potential for harm caused by certain therapeutic modalities and the need for rigorous standards of care and oversight.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMSF Newsletter consistently champions the cause of individuals and families affected by the False Memory Syndrome. Its editorial stance is one of strong advocacy for therapist accountability, challenging the validity and methods of recovered memory therapy when it leads to false accusations. The newsletter prioritizes the rights of parents to defend themselves against accusations stemming from their children's therapeutic experiences. It highlights legal victories and ongoing struggles as evidence of the need for greater scrutiny of therapeutic practices, particularly those involving memory excavation. The publication serves as a platform for sharing personal stories, legal updates, and expert opinions that support its mission to combat the negative impacts of the false memory phenomenon.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue: Vol. 20 No. 1
Date: Winter 2011
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English
ISSN: 1069-0484

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into the complex and often controversial topics of false memory syndrome, Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA), mind control, and the fallibility of human memory. It features personal testimonies, expert opinions, and resources for those affected by these issues.

Key Articles and Interviews

Interview with Marion Knox

The newsletter features an interview with Marion Knox, a counselor from Lebanon, Oregon, who assists individuals in overcoming the effects of ritual abuse and mind control. Knox explains his methodology, which combines client testimonies with Biblical and historical research. He discusses his initial experiences with the occult and how he transitioned to counseling survivors of SRA and mind control. Knox posits that sodomy is a foundational element in the development of multiple personalities, describing it as "The Key of David" by the Rothschild Illuminati. He believes it attacks the nervous system and brain, causing neurological and spiritual damage that facilitates dissociation and memory loss.

Comments About Memory by Mark Green, Ph.D.

Dr. Marc Green, a psychologist, discusses the scientific perspective on memory and its potential for monumental mistakes, particularly in eyewitness identification. He outlines several reasons why memory can be unreliable:

• Memory is blurred: Perceptual information is often stored verbally rather than as clear images.
• Memory fills in the gaps: When information is insufficient, the mind reconstructs events using pre-existing schemas and other memories.
• Memory incorporates external information: Information gained from other witnesses, newspapers, or general knowledge can be inadvertently combined with actual memories, leading to false recollections.
• Memory systematically distorts perception: People tend to remember colors as brighter, speeds as more extreme, and distances/sizes with biases toward expected events.
• Memory is personal: Each witness interprets events based on their own beliefs and experiences.
• Memory is biased by retrieval: The way questions are asked can influence the memory recalled.
• Memory changes over time: Eyewitnesses incorporate information learned after the event, and repeated retellings can lead to a less accurate version of the original event.

A Letter I Always Wanted to Write

A father expresses his profound gratitude to the FMS Foundation for its support during his family's ordeal with his daughter's accusations. He recounts the fifteen years of separation and the process of reconnecting with his daughter, emphasizing the foundation's role as an anchor.

FMS Continues to Devastate Families

Another letter details the ongoing pain and estrangement caused by a daughter's accusations. The writer expresses fear for his daughter's identity as a victim and his hope for her return to the family. He highlights the FMS Foundation's role in helping families cope and find support.

Letter to Meredith Maran

Frank Kane writes to Meredith Maran, author of "My Lie: A True Story of False Memory," to explain his emotional reaction during an interview on The Diane Rehm Show. Kane recounts his 15 minutes of fame discussing childhood sexual abuse alongside his daughter, Maura, who had come out of her FMS experience in 1993. He details his volunteer work with the FMS Foundation and his subsequent role as a local contact person. He also mentions his advocacy for justice issues related to false accusations and wrongful convictions, referencing individuals like Violet Amirault, Gerald Amirault, Bernard Baran, and Bruce Perkins.

A Discredited Therapy: Did it influence development of the Recovered Memory Phenomenon?

This section examines Arthur Janov's Primal Therapy, introduced in his book "The Primal Scream." The therapy posits that psychological problems stem from repressed early traumas that can be purged by reliving them. While John Lennon publicly praised the therapy, critics question the existence of deeply repressed memories and warn of the risk of forming false memories, a danger present in any therapy that encourages patients to unearth supposedly repressed memories.

The Rutherford Family Speaks to FMS Families

This section promotes a DVD by the Rutherford family, which chronicles their experience with accusation, retraction, and reconciliation. It highlights Beth Rutherford's comments on her family's journey and offers ordering information for the DVD.

Resources and Contacts

Books of Interest

A curated list of books is provided, covering topics such as trauma, recovered memory, science and pseudoscience in psychology, and the impact of hysteria on the mind. Titles include "The Trauma Myth," "Remembering Trauma," "Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology," "Psychology Astray," "Remembering Our Childhood," "Making Minds and Madness," and "Try to Remember."

Web Sites of Interest

A comprehensive list of websites is offered, featuring resources related to false memory, investigative journalism, psychology, and information about Satanic Ritual Abuse. Notable sites include those of Elizabeth Loftus, the Lampinen Lab False Memory Reading Group, and the Ross Institute.

FMS Foundation Bulletin Board

This section provides contact information for FMS Foundation meetings and contacts across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Israel, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board

A list of the FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board members is included, featuring numerous psychologists, psychiatrists, and academics with expertise in various fields of psychology and medicine.

Advisors to whom we are grateful who are now deceased

This section lists notable deceased advisors to the FMS Foundation, including psychologists and authors who contributed to the field.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently advocates for victims of false memory syndrome and those affected by accusations of Satanic Ritual Abuse and mind control. The editorial stance appears to be one of support for individuals and families navigating these complex and often devastating experiences. The newsletter aims to provide information, resources, and a sense of community for those who feel isolated by their circumstances. There is a strong emphasis on the fallibility of memory and the potential for psychological manipulation, often framed within a context of societal hysteria and the need for justice for those wrongly accused.