Study: Therapy Can Make Your Childhood Memories Darker Than They Actually Were

Have you ever wondered if talking about your past could change how you remember it? What can therapists do to minimize therapy’s impact on childhood perception during sessions?

New research suggests that therapy, a tool many use to heal and grow, might reshape how people view their childhood experiences.

This discovery raises questions about how our memories work and what happens when we reflect on them in therapy sessions.

Let’s explore how therapy can influence our perception of childhood and what it means for those seeking help.

Therapy’s Impact on Childhood Perception

A 2024 study by Dr. Lawrence Patihis and his team found something surprising: the more therapy sessions people attended, the more likely they were to view their childhood negatively, even if their life circumstances hadn’t changed.

This study, published in Psychological Reports, suggests that therapy can lead to a process called reappraisal, where people rethink their past emotions and experiences.

For example, someone might start to see their childhood as less happy after discussing it extensively with a therapist.

This isn’t always a bad thing—it can help people process difficult emotions—but it also means memories might not stay as accurate as we think.

Dr. Patihis emphasizes that this shift happens because our brains are constantly updating memories based on new perspectives.

This can be helpful for healing, but risky if it leads to distorted views of the past. For instance, someone might begin to feel their childhood was worse than it actually was, which could affect their relationships today.

Why This Matters

Why does this matter? Memories shape how we see ourselves and our relationships. If therapy changes how we view our childhood, it could influence how we interact with family members or even how we parent our own children.

The study suggests that therapists and clients should be aware of this effect. Dr. Patihis argues that people should be informed before starting therapy that their memories might shift.

This way, they can better understand their feelings and make choices based on accurate reflections of the past.

Another study from 2019, also by Patihis, found that some therapists discuss the possibility of repressed memories, which can lead clients to recall abuse they didn’t know about before.

While this can uncover real experiences, it also risks creating false memories. This highlights the need for therapists to be careful about how they guide discussions about the past. Being aware of these risks can help clients approach therapy with clear expectations.

Moving Forward with Awareness

So, what can we do with this information? Therapy is still a valuable tool for mental health, but it’s important to approach it thoughtfully.

Clients should ask their therapists about how discussions might affect their memories. Therapists, in turn, can focus on grounding conversations in factual events rather than encouraging reinterpretation without evidence.

By understanding that therapy can change how we see our childhood, we can use it to heal without losing sight of what really happened.

This research doesn’t mean therapy is harmful—it’s about using it wisely. By staying informed, people can make the most of therapy while keeping their memories as clear as possible.

If you’re considering therapy, talk to your therapist about how to explore your past without letting it reshape your reality.