Nearly all psychologists will admit that people have psychological defense mechanisms.  However, the concept of repressed memories is much more controversial….probably with good reason.  You see, memory is not static…meaning it is not like a movie that is played back.  It runs through the filter of the mind, emotions, and life experiences.  It is susceptible to suggestion.  Such as, “You remember him touching you, don’t you.”  Patient responds “maybe….yes I think I do…”  And comes to believe that this imagined event really happened.

Now, apart from the fact that memory is subject to suggestion, people REALLY DO have the capacity to repress memories.  I can’t tell you the precise circumstances that are needed, it is an interaction of individual personality characteristics and the situation.  Many people worry that, “Maybe something happened to me that I don’t remember.”  I tell them, “Maybe, but don’t worry about it.  If it is important that you remember, you will.  If not, then you won’t.  Trust your unconscious mind.” 

I’ve seen it unfold in my office.  Piece, by piece, the memory comes back as the emotion attached with each level of repression is released.  Usually this is when there is a general knowledge of a ‘fact’ that something happened, but no memory for any specific details.  As the emotion is released at each level, there is a deepening of experience and recall of more details.  This unfolds in the safest way as dictated, determined, and seen as needed by the unconscious mind.  I don’t press or suggest things to these patients…I’m just there to listen, empathize, and support.  It unfolds on its own, and occurs only if needed to help the patient overcome their difficulties.

Now there have been times when repressed memories from the “infantile” stage of development come out in symbolic form in a dream.  I remember one patient who dreamed of “squeezing” down a well and was attacked by 3 alligators.  I told her, “They used forceps during your delivery at birth.”  She had no conscious knowledge, or memory of this, as nobody does.  She had never been told anything about this by her mother.  However, she checked with her mother, and sure enough, it had occurred. 

I don’t worry about, or focus on recovering repressed memories in treatment.  I follow the patient’s needs.  If it is needed, it will occur…I trust the unconscious mind of the patient.  You see, God has created us with incredibly self protective minds…that also have self-corrective properties that can be utilized.  I trust that completely.