Christopher Barden
R. Christopher Barden Ph.D., J.D., L.P. is licensed attorney, licensed psychologist, and expert witness who served as the President of the National Association for Consumer Protection In Mental Health Practices from 1995 to 2005 [1] He is best known for litigation, speaking, professional training, and writing designed to protect the rights of patients in the mental health system. [2]
SCIENCE INTENSIVE LITIGATION: Dr. Barden is best known for what he calls "science intensive litigation" -- employing the power of the legal system, in cohesive teams of scientists and lawyers, to reform the mental health system. He has participated in dozens of successful lawsuits against "recovered memory" therapists, "holding therapists", "attachment therapists", "multiple personality disorder therapists", and other practitioners of dangerous pseudotherapies. [3] . A recent amicus curiae brief to the California Supreme Court drafted by Barden and signed by nearly 100 international experts in the field of human memory emphasized there is no credible scientific support for the notions of repressed and recovered memories. [4]
THE FIRST MILLION DOLLAR PSYCHOTHERAPY LAWSUITS: In 1995, Dr. Barden represented the Hamanne family of Minnesota in the first financially viable, multimillion lawsuit against"recovered memory" therapists. [5] In 1996, Dr. Barden represented the Carlson family in the second multimillion lawsuit against"recovered memory" therapists. [6]
THE WORLD RECORD RECOVERED MEMORY THERAPY CASE: Most commentators agree that the most significant recovered memory lawsuit was the Illinois case of Burgus v. Braun resulting in a world record 10.6 Million dollar settlement. This case is often noted as the end of the repressed memory movement in the U.S. Reported on page one, column one of the NY Times the Burgus case galvanized opposition to recovered memory practices. The next thing I think there will be is legislation to require informed consent from psychiatric patients for such [recovered memory] 'treatments', said Dr. R. Christopher Barden, a psychologist and lawyer [for the plaintiff Burgus]... I think insurance companies will stop reimbursing people for mental health treatments that are not proven safe and effective. This is the death knell for recovered memory therapy. [7]
A FIVE YEAR WAVE OF LAWSUITS ENDED DANGEROUS RECOVERED MEMORY THERAPY PRACTICES: These highly successful and very visible lawsuits have often been cited as the major reason for the fall of the repressed memory industry. [8]
A NATIONALLY REPORTED CRIMINAL PROSECUTION ENDED A DANGEROUS ATTACHMENT THERAPY PRACTICE: Dr. Barden also served as the expert witness for State of Colorado prosecutors in the first trial to result in lengthy criminal sentences for improper psychotherapy. This case, known nationally as the Newmaker trial, focused on the death of Candace Newmaker during "rebirthing therapy" and "attachment therapy". [9] This verdict, and the resulting 17 year prison sentences for the therapists, is widely cited as leading to the end of such practices in the U.S. [10]
THE LAWSUITS, PROSECUTIONS, LICENSE REVOCATIONS, AND NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION LED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS TO COMPLY WITH INFORMED CONSENT RULES: Perhaps the most powerful and lasting result of the "science intensive litigation" suits against mental health practitioners has been the overdue implementation of informed consent rules and principles in the mental health system. [11]
References
- ^ "National Association for Consumer Protection In Mental Health Practices"..
- ^ See, Acocella, J. The Politics of Hysteria, The New Yorker, April 6, 1998, pg. 64-79 ; See also, Barden, R.C., (2001) Informed Consent in Psychotherapy: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Vol 29, No. 2, pgs. 160-166.
- ^ "About R. C. Barden". False Memory Syndrome Foundation. ; See also, http://www.kidscomefirst.info/ ; See also,
- ^ Barden, R. C. Amicus Brief in Taus v. Loftus, Supreme Court of California, Feb. 21, 2006.
- ^ See, Gustafson, Paul. Jury awards patient $2.6 million: Verdict finds therapist Humenansky liable in repressed memory trial Minneapolis St. Paul Tribune, August 1, 1995; See also, Associated Press, Doctor Loses False-memory Suit, Chicago Tribune, Wed. Aug. 2, 1995, Sec. 1, pg. 12; See also, Repressed Memory, U.S.A. Today, Pg. A1, Col 1, Aug. 1, 1995.
- ^ See, Gustafson, Paul. Jury awards $2.5 million in lawsuit against psychiatrist: 'Memories' were induced. Minneapolis/St. Paul Tribune, January 25, 1996, 1B
- ^ See, Belluck, P. Recovered Memory Therapy Leads to a Lawsuit and Big Settlement [$10.6 Million], The New York Times, Page 1, Column 1, Nov. 6, 1997; See also, Belluck, P. She Recovered Memories, Then Millions in Damages, The New York Times, Nov 9, 1997, Sec. 4, Week in Review, page 2, Column 3.
- ^ See, Acocella, J. The Politics of Hysteria, The New Yorker, April 6, 1998, pg. 64-79 ; See also, Barden, R.C., (2001) Informed Consent in Psychotherapy: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Vol 29, No. 2, pgs. 160-166.
- ^ See, Lowe, Peggy. Ethics specialist blasts 'rebirthing'. Rocky Mountain News, April 13, 2001; Peggy Lowe, Rebirthing team convicted: Two therapists face mandatory terms of 16 to 48 years in jail, Rocky Mountain News, April 21, 2001
- ^ See, ee, Janofsky, M. Girl's Death Brings Ban on Kind of 'Therapy'. New York Times. April 18, 2001 ; See also, ABC NEWS 20/20, “Little Girl Lost: 10 Yr Old Dies From Controversial Rebirthing Therapy, Barbara Walters, Deborah Roberts, Broadcast of June 15, 2001 interviewing R. Chris Barden
- ^ See Barden, R.C., (2001) Informed Consent in Psychotherapy: A Multidisciplinary Perspective, The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Vol 29, No. 2, pgs. 160-166.