How Psychotherapy and Other Sources Can Implant False Memories Are alleged victims whose “recovered memory” claims are later not proven intentionally lying?
The answer is no: They may sincerely believe their allegations. Psychotherapy can lead to false memories. Consider, for example, the experience of Gary Ramona, a Mondavi Winery executive whose defense against his daughter’s abuse charge, and subsequent suit against her therapist, is chronicled in Moira Johnson’s Spectral Evidence. The Ramona Case. Gary’s daughter, Holly, “remembered” a childhood of sexual abuse and rape, after seeking psychotherapy for treatment of bulimia and depression. Holly sued her father for raping her repeatedly for more than ten years, but he prevailed in defending the suit. (Later evidence indicated that the claims could not have been true, for Holly was a virgin at the time the suit was filed). Gary then successfully sued Holly’s therapist for malpractice. The therapist had used several techniques that are now widely condemned. One such technique was bibliotherapy, in which the patient is told to read books about others’ recall of childhood abuse. Another is
