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Yapko, Michael D. Suggestions of Abuse, 1994
Yapko, Michael D.
Suggestions of Abuse, 1994
True and false memories of childhood sexual trauma
Reviews
From Booklist, May 1, 1994
Clinical psychologist and therapist Yapko, author of several books on
clinical hypnosis and on treatment of depression, attempts to define the issues
at the core of the intense public and professional controversy over the
authenticity of memories of childhood sexual abuse that develop in the course
of therapy. Based on questionnaires on attitudes toward memory and hypnosis to
which more than 850 professionals responded, Yapko argues that a significant
number of therapists genuinely do not understand how memory functions (it's not
a computer) or just what hypnosis can--and cannot--accomplish. Suggestions of
Abuse then summarizes research on memory, repression, suggestibility, and the
consequences of false accusations of abuse, counseling both professionals and
patients to recognize the potential for distortion and confabulation and the
creation of firmly believed false memories when therapists impose their own
agendas on the process. A useful corrective to the sometimes hysterical
pop-psychology generalizations on this troubling subject. Mary Carroll Copyright© 1994, American Library
Association.
From Kirkus Reviews , March 15, 1994
Memory can be as malleable as clay, warns a clinical psychologist, and the
road to recovering memories of child abuse is strewn with the shards of
``unwitting'' errors by so-called expert therapists. Yapko (Trancework, not
reviewed) bravely and horrifyingly suggests that accusations of child abuse
are, at the moment, trendy. An expert on hypnosis with strong opinions on the
subject of hidden or repressed memory, the author doesn't hold with the popular
theory that those who can't remember childhood experiences must be repressing
them, that repressed memories must be traumatic, and that trauma equals
abuse--probably sexual abuse. ``Abuse happens,'' he mourns, ``but so do false
accusations.'' Confronted with patients confused about whether they had been
abused, and with seemingly innocent parents whose lives were disintegrating
because their grown children had accused them of abuse, Yapko questioned nearly
900 therapists. What did they really know about memory and about recovering
past experience under hypnosis? Not much, he found out. What led therapists to
the diagnosis of childhood abuse? Commitment to their patients was often distorted
by the therapists' training and personal beliefs: Certain groups of symptoms
indicated child abuse whether the patient agreed or not, and resistance
equalled ``denial.'' As a result, vulnerable patients were ``unwittingly''
(Yapko emphasizes) led to memories of abuse that may or may not have happened.
Once an idea is planted, the mind then adds colorful detail, a process called
``confabulation.'' Dream interpretation--the ``astrology of psychotherapy,'' he
calls it--helps fill in gaps. Yapko offers guidelines for accused parents,
involved siblings, and abuse victims. Yapko gives no quarter to child abusers,
but offers wise guidance and support to families whose lives have been
decimated by false accusations. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP.
Synopsis
A clinical psychologist explains how misinformed health-care professionals,
without a clear knowledge of how memory works, convince patients that they are
victims of childhood sexual abuse, offering practical advice to those hurt by
doubtful accusations.
Synopsis
Suggestions of Abuse is the first book to address the controversial subject
of false memory and sexual abuse--and to offer guidance to both the accuser and
the accused. Dr. Yapko reveals why a startling proportion of mental health professionals,
ignorant about memory, are unwittingly leading their patients to believe they
are victims of abuse.