False Memory Syndrome
I have repeated at different parts of this site that there is a fine line between elicitation and installation. This tells us that we have to be very careful when recovering memory using hypnosis. If we get false memories in spite of all our care and due diligence, the problem may be slight incompetence or the equivalent of acts of omission.
However, there are times when there is gross incompetence equivalent to acts of commission. Here the hypnotist (typically, I refer to the good operators as "hypnotherapists" and the less competent ones "hypnotists" - but that's my bias) does not know what he's doing and leads the client to remember Satanic Ritual AbuseAlien Abduction or whatever is his "thing."
A great problem is that after the tainted memory has been installed it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to recover the correct memories. I believe the installed memories are so deeply ingrained that the person with the false memory could easily pass a lie detector test.
I just wrote (in another article) about Milton Erickson installing false happy memories on purpose and then creating amnesia for these false memories. These give clients inner resources and allows them to lead a more productive
happy life. Also in NLP we may wipe negative memories using Time Line work and creating amnesia. All these are done after consultation with, and getting the permission of, the client.
The purpose of good therapy is to increase choice, comfort, capability, and consciousness.