Recovering those memories has pivotal impact on an individual seeking counsel. Recovered memories turn the victim into a Survivor of sexual abuse. Then they can confront their abusers. Those abused need not forgive. Although not themselves professionals in the field of counseling or therapy, the authors of Courage to Heal counsel counselors.
Many counselors have.
When those seeking counsel discover repressed memories with sexual overtones, they gain instant suppport, validation of their suspicions and acceptance as one of a group, the accusing Survivors. With time, the popular literature evolved. Survivors began to specialize. Some became survivors of ritual abuse, remembering human sacrifices and Satanic cults. That made insurance payments available for those diagnosed with the illness.