Inquiry into the Practice of Recovered Memory Therapy, 2004
Background
Following the release of the Department’s discussion paper ‘Review of the Regulation of the Health Professions’, 17 submissions were received which addressed the issue of ‘recovered memory therapy’ (also referred to as ‘repressed memory therapy’ or ‘false memory therapy’). The majority of these submissions claimed that ‘recovered memory therapy’ was being used by some mental health therapists in Victoria and was resulting in false accusations of child sexual abuse.
Given the complexity of the issues pertaining to such therapy, it was considered that a more detailed examination of the issues was required to determine the need, if any, for legislative and/or other reforms.
In November 2004, the Minister for Health requested the Health Services Commissioner conduct an Inquiry under section 9(1)(m) of the Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act 1987 into the practice of ‘recovered memory therapy’. The Commissioner’s final report is now available for public consideration.
Final Recovered Memory Therapy Inquiry (PDF File 1.0MB)
Recommendations of the Health Services Commissioner
Based on the findings of the Inquiry, the Health Services Commissioner recommends:
- Collaboration between universities, professional bodies and accredited teaching organisations to review the adequacy of training regarding trauma, with a view to ensuring practitioners are being adequately trained.
- Professional bodies (including those for registered and unregistered practitioners) and registration boards which have not established best practice guidelines related to recovered memories do so.
- All unregistered providers of trauma counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy services become members of a suitable professional organisation within their profession.
- The Department of Human Services take a leadership role with professional bodies, registration boards and advocacy groups to conduct a community education campaign aimed at ensuring members of the public have the information needed to choose appropriately qualified practitioners.
- The Office of the Health Services Commissioner continue to monitor concerns expressed by all interested parties about ‘recovered memory therapy’.
Government response
In response to the Commissioner’s recommendations, the Minister will be requesting advice from the relevant registration boards and professional bodies on the report’s recommendations and potential roles they might play in progressing implementation of these. This would include advice on the scope for collaboration on matters such as:
- A community education campaign to assist members of the public with choosing an appropriately qualified mental health practitioner.
- Preparation and/or review of practice guidelines related to recovered memories.
- The review of training in trauma counselling.
Mechanisms will also be put into place to maintain a watching brief on the issues identified in the report.