Ellen Bass and Laura Davis directed The Courage to Heal , their controversial book about repressed memories, specifically to women, though they acknowledged that men are also sexually abused. Since Victims of Memory is, among other things, a corrective to that book, I consider it important and intellectually honest to address women directly as well, though many men have certainly suffered through the same experiences. One more point on this touchy subject. That does not mean that they are inherently passive, dependent, or hysterical, but it does mean that the recovered-memory hunt follows in that unfortunate cultural tradition. Just as I do not want to be branded a sexist, I also do not intend this book to be taken as a broadside assault on all therapists.
Many counselors provide needed help and understanding for people in emotional turmoil.