Recovered Memory Therapy

Recovered memory therapy refers to several different techniques based on the premise that memories of brutal, terrifying childhood events can be completely hidden from consciousness but still cause significant emotional problems. The assumption is that the traumatic events were so horrible that the client developed amnesia through a process of repression or dissociation and therefore must be helped to uncover these buried memories in order to heal from the trauma. Recovered memory therapy is highly controversial, and there is strong evidence that recovered memory techniques can produce false memories. The theories and techniques are not scientifically supported and are not generally accepted in the scientific community.