Repressed
Memories: A Journey to Recovery from Sexual Abuse
by Renee Fredrickson
There are some people who have been abused
sexually and physically as children, and who have partially or totally
blocked the memories from view. The problem is that these are far fewer
than the modern psycho-babblers would have us believe. Until lately, it
was politically correct to believe the abused, never the accused. There
is some validity to this book, but the "technology" of modern psychology
is so varied and flawed that whatever results are obtained are highly questionable.
Basing personal and family decisions, and legal actions upon the findings
of psychotherapists doing "repressed-memory" work is ludicrous considering
the horrendous state of the field's methodology.
Synopsis
Buried memories of sexual abuse can have
a devastating impact on a victim's relationships, work, and health. Using
case histories, Renee Fredrickson stresses the importance of recovering
these memories as a crucial step in healing, and she explains various therapeutic
processes used in memory retrieval.
REVIEWS
Fredrickson disciplined for unprofessional
conduct. Gary A. Preble, J.D. (preble@olywa.net), 06/24/99
This is a dangerous book. Read it to understand
the bogus subject of "repressed" memory. But believe it only at great risk
to your emotional health and to those relationships you hold most dear.
This May Be Harmful, J.T. Stocks, Ph.D.
(stocks@pilot.msu.edu), 10/10/98
There is evidence that suggests that the
therapeutic approach suggested by Dr. Fredrickson can be harmful. In 1997,
Dr. Fredrickson was sued by a former patient on the grounds that over a
10-month period Fredrickson used hypnosis, guided imagery, dream interpretation,
automatic writing, body memories, suggestion, and other memory recovery
techniques to convince the patient that she had been the victim of ritual
cult abuse. Dr. Fredrickson settled out of court for $175,000. The former
patient (identified as "Jane Doe") has since filed a complaint against
Dr. Fredrickson with the Minnesota Board of Psychology that is currently
under investigation by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.
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