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Melissa Sandfort's avatar

Hi Cody! As a fellow IFS practitioner, I was stoked to see this article.

However, it was tough for me to read the rest of it once I saw you casually mentioning Elizabeth Loftus as if she’s not profoundly problematic.

As a trauma survivor, I am deeply disturbed by Elizabeth Loftus.

Reason #1:

Her defense work for accused perpetrators

She makes money as an expert witness defending people accused of sexual abuse.

∙ Ted Bundy’s defense team consulted her work

∙ She testified for Harvey Weinstein’s defense

∙ She has testified in hundreds of cases helping discredit abuse survivors’ memories

Friends don’t let friends casually mention this woman without acknowledging the harm she’s done to victims and survivors.

So I just wanted to reach out and let you know that your mention of her, without contextualizing the harm she’s done, was a barrier to reading further for me, or trusting what you’re offering.

I’m a huge IFS lover so I’ll go read the rest, but I just wanted to register my reaction.

Cody Isabel | Neuroscience's avatar

Interesting, I had no idea, I just know her research on false memories, I'll have to take a deeper look.

Totally get this was hard for Parts of you to digest while mentioning this upfront, and I trust you were able to work with these Parts of yourself to help them feel safe to read on, so happy to hear my blunder didn't mean you missed the rest of the value underneath!

Soph's avatar

This is so insightful, thank you Cody!