avoiding the truth
Friday December 28, 2007

Dear Alice Miller,

yesterday I went for the third time to my psychotherapist and I asked him what he thinks of the memories of the patients, whether they must be considered all fantasies or true memories, that is true perceptions of the reality. I asked this question to him because I read two of your books (For your own good, The body never lies) and I know that you warn against therapists who don’t want to look at the complete truth.
My therapist’s answer was this: “This is an old question…I think that they may be considered both, fantasies and true memories, where the memory is well remembered”.
So I’m asking you if this, in your opinion and for your experience, may be considered a good line of thinking, or if all the memories should be considered like true.

Thank you. S.

AM: Open my page: “Flyers” and read the text “21 points.” In my opinion, memories are always true, even if not exact, but the idea that traumas can be invented is one of the most serious psychoanalytical errors because we don’t need the memory of our suffering to survive, as children we needed the repression. Therefore we MAY invent stories but they will be ALWAYS LESS harmful than the real trauma ITSELF. The answer of your therapist seems to be avoiding the true issue.