MAY 2006, VOLUME 34, NUMBER 1, Abstract 14
Memories of Abuse in and out of Hypnosis:Where Are we Now?
Kathryn M. Gow, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
The reliability of memories of abuse, in and out of hypnosis, has been studied in many different ways over the past 20 years. With the rise of litigation against the churches, teaching, health and helping professionals across the world, and an inquiry into the practice of “recovered memory therapy” in Victoria, there is a need for practitioners and researchers in hypnosis to be conversant with the theoretical and research debates about memory which have an impact on this area. I review the literature on memories of abuse and summarise the implications for practitioners and researchers in this field.The necessity for societies such as ASH to educate the public, health professionals, and government bodies on these issues is now more urgent and critical than ever before.