The theoretical basis of the use of recovered memories in psychotherapy will be critically examined. Literature will be reviewed on the nature of normal memory, and on the relationship of trauma to memory.
Normal memories are surprisingly inaccurate.
There is little evidence that normal memories can be repressed. There is no evidence that trauma makes repression more likely. The clinical implications of the use of recovered memories in psychotherapy will be examined. The paper will review the relationship of trauma to psychopathology and discuss how traumatic histories might be dealt with in therapy. Trauma is a risk factor for psychopathology, but is only one of many etiological factors in mental disorders.