The recovery of memories remains highly controversial. Stories have been published of patients accusing family members of abuse following the use of therapeutic techniques to reveal memories. Some of these patients later recanted their stories and accused their therapists of implanting false memories. Therapists treating patients for whom past sexual abuse may be a factor are advised to maintain an empathic, nonjudgmental, neutral stance towards reported memories of sexual abuse. Schwartz insists that hypnotherapy is just a small part of his practice that he uses in combination with other techniques.
Patients are able to remember in the safety of the therapist's office.
Then they can make some meaning out of their suffering. More important is how to go on with that memory. In many cases, the person causing this suffering is a loved one. They learn that they can be angry with something that someone did to them but still love them. Schwartz often gets called to testify as an expert witness in court cases in which victims seek damages for their suffering.