National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis
NPAP
Continuing Education Committee
Presents

The Recovered Memory Controversy in a Clinical Context:
Defining the Middle Ground

by Robert M. Friedman, LCSW, PhD

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015
6:00 – 7:30
at NPAP, 40 West 13 Street*

What is a memory? What is a repressed memory? Is it “true?” Research psychologists and psychoanalysts often collide – how do we know we are helping? What works? Dr. Friedman’s thoughtful paper combines clinical understanding with research; psychoanalysis in combination with hypnotherapy offers a particular vantage point for this controversy.

The recovered memory controversy concerns the validity or falseness of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse. The controversy has been highly polarized and it still provokes intense emotional reactions. Prominent research psychologists have denied the possibility of amnesia for childhood trauma and further debate has focused on the role of hypnosis for suggesting false memories. This presentation will use empirical research, and psychoanalytic and hypnotherapy cases to show that memories of abuse can be recovered and evaluated. These memories may be historically accurate, partially distorted, or the expression of fantasy. When the repressive and dissociative defenses are modified, the integration of recovered memories can be an invaluable part of the healing process.

Robert M. Friedman, LCSW, PhD Member NPAP; Editorial Board, The Psychoanalytic Review, Clinical Instructor, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine; Cofounder, Center for the Advancement of Training in Clinical Hypnosis (CATCH); numerous publications.

Open to NPAP members and candidates,
and the general psychoanalytic community at no charge.
Refreshments served.
*Handicap accessible facility
RSVP: admin@npap.org / 212.924.7440
Committee:
Alice Entin (Chair), Murray Gelman, Judy Ann Kaplan, Edith Laufer, Loveleen Posmentier, Judith Rappaport, Penny Rosen, Claire Steinberger, Hannah Turken