Re:Emergent traumatic material

First, to clarify the misunderstanding, I wrote "repressed" in quotation marks to signify that it is a highly questionable mechanism (as the concept is traditionally held) of memory.

Second, I think that your lack of scientific knowledge of memory is clear from your posts but I do not think this is the forum to go into a prolonged discussion of Loftus's work. Suffice it to say, your conclusions about memory are without doubt contrary to those of many researchers who spend their careers investigating this area. Again, I do not deny you your opinion though.

Third, I am glad to hear that you do not actively seek to "uncover" memories in your therapy. I did not assume that you did but it is at least nice to know that you do not go along fully with this approach. Unfortunately, many therapists, especially those who supposedly specialize in trauma, do just that, which often leads to dire consequences.

Fourth, I see your discussion of the topic of memory to mainly be slight of hand semantics. Changing the terms does not change the criticism. You write about "emergent material". Such unexplained symptoms often leads over-zealous trauma therapists to assume that some traumatic experience exists that needs to be investigated. Often these investigations unwittingly produce fantasies that have a profound effect on the client and can be most counterproductive to therapy. It is well documented that some therapists have unintentionally destroyed the lives of their clients and their families by such questionable practices. I'm sure we can both agree that the client should be an informed consumer.

Enough said on the topic.

Replies:

Re:Emergent traumatic material, by Cynthia Byrtus, 04/13/01 Who are you?, by Diane, 02/14/02

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