NZ psychologist silent on former patient

13.05.2004

By AINSLEY THOMSON

The New Zealand psychologist who played a key role in the story of David Reimer is refusing to discuss the case.

The Herald contacted Dr John Money yesterday at his home in Baltimore.

Money said he was continuing his policy of not commenting on the case.

It is the same stance he took in 2000 when he was vilified in the book about Reimer's life.

Money had not seen Reimer in person since his patient was in his early teens and refused to attended psychotherapy sessions.

But yesterday, Money said he had seen the documentary on Reimer in New Zealand. He would say no more about it.

Born in Morrinsville in 1921 to a conservative Brethren family, Money attended Hutt Valley High School and went on to study psychology at Victoria University before heading to the United States.

He has a PhD from Harvard University and has been based at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore since 1951.

His brother Donald told the Herald that Money was in poor health and could no longer drive, but said he was still working at Johns Hopkins and writing books.

He said his brother had never expressed any regret about the Reimer case.

The late Dr Michael King wrote a "substantial essay" about Money that is yet to be published.