The clinical implications of the use of recovered memories in psychotherapy will be examined.
Method:
The paper will review the relationship of trauma to psychopathology and discuss how traumatic histories might be dealt with in therapy.
Results:
Trauma is a risk factor for psychopathology, but is only one of many etiological factors in mental disorders. The search for recovered memories in psychotherapy could present dangers for patients.
Conclusions:
The most reliable memories of trauma are those that have been present throughout the patient's life.
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