RE: Recovered Memories

["Peter M. Barach, Ph.D." <pbarach@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

	Because there is evidence that at least some recovered memories can be
confirmed, IMO it is unscientific to decide prima facie that such
memories should have NO credibility. On the other hand, the therapist
has no way of telling whether any specific recovered memory is accurate
or not and therefore should not take on the role of either validating or
denying the accuracy of a patient's memories. Neutrality (in the
clinical setting) is what has been recommended by every professional
group that has issued guidelines on this topic.

	Concerning the evidence for and against the accuracy of recovered
memories, see the following:
	The Recovered Memory Project: Ross Cheit, PhD, assembled 80 cases of
well-corroborated recovered memories of abuse. See his website:
http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Taubman_Center/Recovmem/Archive.html

	Also, see an article in which Cheit demonstrates how those criticizing
the corroboration of the cases at his website have distorted and omitted
data to make the cases look uncorroborated:
	Ross E. Cheit, "Consider This, Skeptics of Recovered Memory," Ethics
and Behavior, 8(2), 141-160 (1998).

	Also, see the following literature review:
	Brown, D., Scheflin, A. W., & Whitfield, C. (1999). Recovered memories:
The current weight of the evidence in science and in the courts. Journal
of Psychiatry & Law, 27, 1-156.

Peter M. Barach, Ph.D. (pbarach@sprynet.com)
Clinical Psychologist
5851 Pearl Road, Suite 305
Cleveland, OH 44130 USA
Phone:  Voice: 440-845-9011 (press 6 for voice mail)
              Fax:   440-845-9013

Opinions expressed in this post are my own and not necessarily those of
any organization with which I am affiliated