47. VBT in History (1980s): Satanic Panic and Recovered Memory Therapy

A satanic panic in the early 1980s culminated in the McMartin Preschool abuse trial, the then-longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history. The trial centered around 359 allegations of ritualistic satanic child abuse and concluded with zero convictions and a new understanding of the unreliability of recovered memories.  The satanic panic has subsided, but its indirect effects are still present today in how therapists work with childhood trauma. Thank you for listening. Support the show by becoming a monthly subscriber on Patreon to receive access to bonus episodes or by making a one-time contribution via PayPal. Show Notes: Conviction of Things Not Seen: The Uniquely American Myth of Satanic Cults Michelle Remembers (Wikipedia) Proof Lacking for Ritual Abuse by Satanists The Dark Truth About the "Dark Tunnels of McMartin" Interviewer's Methods Seen as Key Issue in Preschool Case The Most Dangerous Idea in Mental Health Recovered Memories Interview with Dr. Loftus: Does Repressed Memory Happen? 'Some days I think I was molested, others I'm not sure': inside a case of repressed memory Ground Lost: The False Memory/Recovered Memory Therapy Debate Very Bad Therapy: Website / Facebook / Tell Us Your Story