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Position statement on therapies focused on memories of childhood physical and sexual abuse.

This position statement addresses the use of specific techniques whose central focus and intent is to elicit memories of childhood abuse. The Statement does not concern reports of individuals who seek therapy with already existing memories of childhood abuse or where the authenticity of memories has been corroborated by reliable outside sources. Childhood physical and sexual abuse is associated with an increased risk of serious psychiatric and social difficulties in adult life. Child abuse is a public health problem that must be addressed compassionately and responsibly. Public confusion over this issue and the possibility of false accusations must not discredit the reports of patients who have indeed been traumatized by actual abuse. Some therapeutic approaches attempt specifically to elicit memories of childhood abuse as the central technique for relieving emotional distress. The validity of such therapies has been challenged. Some patients receiving this treatment have later recanted their claims of recovered memories of abuse and accused their therapists of leading or pressuring them into such ideas. Research has shown that memory does not always record events accurately. In the presence of severe or prolonged stress, people may suffer significant impairment of the retention, recall and accuracy of memories. Memories can also be altered as a result of suggestions particularly by a trusted person or authority figure. No specific unique symptom profile has been identified that necessarily correlates with abuse experiences. In general, psychotherapy focuses on the patient’s perceived experience, and does not customarily search for proof of veracity of memories. Psychotherapy works with memories, dreams, altered states of consciousness and related material within the larger context of understanding the patient’s current difficulties, accompanied by cautions against premature action by the patient. It is well documented that both dismissing true accounts, and accepting false accounts, can harm patients and possibly others. Recommendations: