Suggestions of Abuse: True and False Memories of Childhood Sexual TraumaAllegations of sexual abuse, particularly those based on the recovery of supposed "repressed memories" of abuse, have reached incredible proportions. The result has been devastation for many. Why is this happening? Alarmed by the statistics, Dr. Michael Yapko - a clinical psychologist with nearly two decades of experience in working with individuals and families involved with issues of abuse - decided to investigate. This timely book reveals how and why a startling number of mental health professionals, ignorant about suggestibility and the workings of memory, are unwittingly leading their patients to believe that they are victims of sexual abuse that has been entirely repressed. In plain language, Dr. Yapko explains what we know - and don't know - about memory, repression, and suggestibility. He also offers sensitive, realistic advice for individuals and families whose lives have been damaged by questionable accusations, and for those who suspect they have been falsely led to believe they were abused. Dr. Yapko's revelatory and compassionate book - the first to address seriously the complex and volatile subject of false memory and sexual abuse - offers invaluable insight and guidance to anyone who has been affected, personally or professionally, by this painful issue. |
Contents
Preface | 15 |
Into the Light | 23 |
Therapists Reveal Their Attitudes about Memories and Suggestions of Abuse | 42 |
Copyright | |
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abuse occurred abuse survivors accept accuracy accurate Alan Scheflin allegations of abuse aware believe body memories CHAPTER child childhood childhood amnesia client confabulation confirmation bias confront consider context Courage to Heal create denial described doubt dreams emotional encourage evidence experiences fact false memories falsely accused family members feelings guilt happened hurt hypnosis hypnotically individual influence involved issues Jennifer John Bradshaw later Loftus memo memories of abuse mental health profession never painful parents past lives percent perpetrators person perspective pists plausible PrimeTime Live problems psychological questions reality recall recover memories recovery relationship remember repressed memories response retrieval role San Diego Union-Tribune satanic ritual abuse session sexual abuse siblings Slobogin someone specific spouse suggested memories suggestions of abuse symptoms ther thera therapeutic therapist therapy things tion tive told trauma truth typically victim