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O A R M H P OHIO ASSOCIATION OF RESPONSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES
Hi Everyone, This month we want to feature Allen & Toby, two FMSF stars who have worked quietly in the background for many years. No one knows how many hours they have donated, and how many people they have helped. Bob and I are included in that group. They will be leaving the foundation the end of October and they will be greatly missed. They did not want to share any of their personal story, but here are some thoughts that Allen has wanted to share for some time. Also included is a short piece from Maryellen, a retractor from Ohio, who had some comments on the same subject. Carole MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION Allen Feld The magnitude of my feeling and admiration for various people and groups involved with the Foundation has no doubt seeped into many of the writings that have been included in the Newsletter. Although this essay will focus on False Memory Syndrome Foundation parents, my expressions of appreciation would be incomplete without mentioning other groups that were important to me: * A highly effective staff, who made the work environment comfortable and inviting. * The many wonderful scientists and therapists, who helped falsely accused families and were so instrumental in helping the Foundation aspire to its goals. * That brave group of retractors, who had the courage to admit they were in error when they accused parents of abuse. Their parents' happiness will be forever etched in my mind. So too is the recognition that their retractions gave hope to many and helped create public recognition that false memories were a societal problem. * The small number of families, along with several professionals, who had the vision that an organization such as FMSF was needed. Their vitality and commitment were so complete and sincere that, in addition to the extensive time devoted, they made personal resources available to develop a place where falsely accused families could turn. Sadly, in droves did they turn to the Foundation! Because of the many families who were willing to publicly share their stories, the public and media came to understand false memories, the reconstructive nature of memory and the anguish produced by false accusations. So many of these parents, in spite of their devastation (or, perhaps in some cases, because of) came ready to help in their own communities. When we called people to help as volunteers with some necessary activity of the Foundation, the reply was virtually always YES. (In previous situations, I had grown accustomed to having to cajole or even beg people to help.) Yes, they readily agreed to talk to other families; yes, they would serve as state or local contacts; yes, they would plan local meetings; yes, they would speak or get people to speak to the various media in their state. In so many ways, these and other efforts of members contributed to the changing nationwide attitude toward newly created "memories" by adults of child sexual abuse. The many families who called and became actively involved with the Foundation spawned the significant changes that transpired. It is impossible for me to catalogue the many individual and small group contributions parents made which helped to turn the corner on this false memory fiasco. It is to you I bow my head and express heartfelt thanks. I dedicate these reminiscences to you who made the important changes possible. The large number of falsely accused families contributed to the growing public awareness of the reconstructive nature of memory and the slowly evolving societal recognition that repression was scientifically uncertain, and this quite possibly generated more research into false memories. As a result, the early courageous research pioneers who were willing to risk the possible ire from some of their "colleagues" have been joined by a small yet continually growing number of other researchers interested and involved in the study of false memories. In well-designed studies, this research has demonstrated the ease with which false memories can be created in a substantial number of people. For obvious ethical reasons, the false memories created were not similar to the possible trauma of sexual abuse. But neither was the effort by the researchers as intense, repetitive and prolonged as would be found in a therapeutic relationship. As a result, the relationship and the potential influence of a therapist in the creation of false memories could be expected to be significantly stronger and more important to the patient than the relationship and impact of a researcher or member of the research team to her/his subject. The public awareness created by falsely accused families also may have contributed to the courts and juries being more heedful in cases involving false memories. The resources and information made available to attorneys through the Foundation's efforts may have allowed for more effective representation in cases involving false memories. The Foundation's direct participation in several Amicus Briefs attempted to inform the courts of the scientific inadequacies of repression, the scientific mechanics of memory, the power of therapeutic suggestion and other areas important in representing those falsely accused. Again, families who called the Foundation, told their stories and worked in their communities were important to every falsely accused family member. One of the attributes of so many FMSF families that continues to impress me is the demonstration of strength and resilience, a lesson for the helping professions and a model of courage. In spite of being accused of the vilest societal crime and the personal anguish that they were experiencing, families persevered, and in many cases fought back. Far too many who read this know their journey to reconciliation is incomplete. Some report they don't anticipate that their family will reconcile. So this sad episode may fade away without what society would call a "happy" ending for many. A small number of parents state that it doesn't matter. Even if there is a retraction, they don't envision the family reuniting and feel that they don't need a retraction or reunification to have a fulfilling life. Again, these alternate paths and choices made about moving on might be other aspects from which professionals can learn. The enormous appreciation that I feel for families is without qualification. Thank you for all you have done for other families. Thank you for helping to short-circuit the dangerous practice of therapist-induced false memories. One could only guess how many people might have been spared the pain that you endured. Thank you for the positive legacy about the basic strength of people that you have given to society. Thank you for making my time with FMSF such a positive, productive and rewarding experience. RETRACTORS UNFAIRLY CRITICIZED Allen Feld
Retractors have become more and more a target of attack by some professionals who are unhappy with their retracting allegations of sexual abuse against parents. These professionals fail to appreciate the courage that retractors showed when they recognized the error that they made, accepted responsibility for the harm their error may have caused and decided if and/or how to apologize.
These professionals are often the very same ones who, at one time, adamantly declared that they had the best interests of these patients in mind. That was when these former patients were saying what these professionals wanted to hear. A prime reason for my disenchantment with professionals such as these is that I would expect professionals would have the "best interests" of their patients in mind regardless of what the patient says. When retractors were helped in therapy to say that they were abused, they were believed, even when there was no external corroboration, usually lauded and often encouraged to make their abuse public. Now they are being criticized because they recognized that they were wrong. Shouldn't one of the goals of therapy be to help patients recognize and accept reality?
Without interviewing a group of retractors or their families or even any research data, some professionals are making outlandish declarations. They often maintain that retractors were exposed to a high volume of literature about false memories. It is expected that professionals making that argument should be required to document by research how many retractors read material prior to a retraction, list the material read and the reasons and source for the chosen materials. I think it would also be informative to know whether therapists making this type of indictment also questioned the practice of giving literature such as The Courage to Heal to their patients. I wouldn't be surprised to still find some copies of that book in their offices.
Another more troubling and highly improper claim is commonly made. In what I regard as unprofessional conduct, some claim that retractors are inflicted with various psychological problems. I view this as professional misconduct for a variety of interrelated reasons. Diagnosing a group as having problems is just plain wrong. Diagnoses are made of individuals. Additionally, professionals should not diagnose people whom they've never examined as a patient. If by chance a professional has examined some retractors, discussing their diagnoses in public requires written patient permission or, at the minimum, even if the patient isn't identified, that potential use should be included in the informed consent the patient was asked to sign at the initiation of therapy. I believe that some professionals are habitually ignoring legitimate concerns such as these. I wonder if it is more important to them to serve their political and, perhaps, economic interests at the expense of people whose pain and anguish were often the result of seeking help from similar professionals. A RETRACTOR’S VIEW Maryellen Ludwig I often find myself disappointed that many retractors don’t want to share at least part of the responsibility of their false memories and the pain inflicted on their loved ones. It takes more than a bad therapist to cause a false memory. Often a retractor retracts, but wholly blames someone else. She then becomes yet another victim and a celebrity in the FMS world. I know that something in MY personality caused me to be drawn to the whole false memory phenomenon. I know that MANY factors contributed to my false memories (books, groups, movies, therapists, friends, media,) but I am ultimately responsible for the choices I made. I wish I could just blame the therapists—It would be a lot easier. There are too many other things to factor in. Things are fine now between my father and I. What was most helpful to me was that I knew my parents loved me despite my allegations and that they never distanced themselves from me. I have apologized to my father repeatedly. He refused to discuss the issue and would only say that he always knew that he did not do anything harmful to me and that he would always love me. I find it amazing that after all those terrible accusations he never stopped loving me. I thank God that my father and I (and family) have come through this and are closer than ever.
O A R M H P OHIO ASSOCIATION OF RESPONSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICES
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