On 3 Dec 2004, Allen Esterson wrote: > I have no reason to doubt that Gerald Koocher, president-elect of APA, has > many admirable qualities, but a Google search brings out what to my mind > is a worrying association with people who promote some doubtful views > about supposed memories of childhood sexual abuse, including satanic > (ritual) abuse, arising in the course of psychotherapy.
I want to thank Allen for bringing this information to light, which I find both surprising and disturbing. Some may recall that prior to the APA election, I posted a comment in support of Dr. Koocher's candidacy, based on my personal experience of his helpfulness when I consulted him on an APA-related problem. But until Allen's post, I was unaware that he might be a supporter of false memory therapy and of those who would denigrate the work of the False Memory Foundation. As I have mentioned occasionally in the past on TIPS, I believe that the rise of false memory therapy and the hysteria it generated represents one of the most regrettable episodes in modern clinical psychology. This dangerous therapy has caused great harm to both the patients who underwent it and to the families who suffered from false accusations of child abuse. I have long admired the False Memory Foundation which, despite vilification from its opponents, effectively countered the pseudoscientific claims of this pernicious therapy, using science and reason. I am disappointed to learn that the president-elect of the APA apparently still supports this now- discredited therapy. Stephen ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://faculty.frostburg.edu/psyc/southerly/tips/index.htm _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
