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The Foundational Manual on Family Scapegoating Abuse.
Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed: Help and Hope for Adults in the Family Scapegoat Role is the first book ever written on Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA)—authored by the clinician and researcher who coined the term. [Also referred to as Family Scapegoat Abuse]
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The Anatomy of a Broken System
Drawing on over two decades of clinical and academic research, this book provides the exact forensic framework to understand the invisible war zone of the scapegoating family system. Inside, you will discover:
- The Systemic Rot Code: How the unconscious defense mechanism known as the Family Projective Identification Process operates as a shared systemic psychosis—fueling abuse even in non-narcissistic families.
- The Clinical Reality of FSA: Why family scapegoating behaviors strictly qualify as quantifiable psycho-emotional abuse, and why survivors must be assessed for Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).
- The Traumatic Intersection: A clear, structural mapping of the interplay between FSA, intergenerational trauma, toxic shame, and betrayal trauma.
- The Path to Sovereignty: How dis-identifying from the distorted scapegoat narrative and re-architecting one’s identity allows the false self to drop away, making room for the core, Inviolate Self to finally emerge.
“As the FSA adult survivor begins to dis-identify from the distorted family “scripts” (what I call the “scapegoat narrative”), the light of their true self is reclaimed. The false self that developed as a consequence of a non-nurturing, rejecting, and emotionally threatening family environment will drop away, creating space and energy for the cultivation of a joyful and purposeful life.
— Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP
The Verdict from the Trenches
“As a clinical social worker, I enthusiastically recommend this book!”
– Verified FSA Survivor
“Does your family treat you like you’re the problem? That if it wasn’t for YOU, everything would be just fine? Have you tried and tried to show them that you really are worth loving, that they’re wrong about you? How many times have you tried to think of different words to use, different ways to make them see you? You can stop now. We see you. Rebecca Mandeville sees you. She is you and so am I. I thank God for Rebecca’s hard work and perseverance. She brought and continues to bring Family Scapegoat Abuse out into the world so doctors, therapists and most importantly survivors know that, yes, this is a thing! Families do turn on their own sometimes, more than the world has realized and Rebecca does a beautiful job of proving this to be true. She has relentlessly worked for justice. For many years she’d done qualitative (exploratory) research and she also has, that I’m aware of, 2 quantitative (confirmatory) peer-reviewed studies. For those who aren’t aware, peer-reviewed means the work is rigorously scrutinized by others in the field to determine if it passes muster, so to speak. Rebecca’s work is methodologically sound and shows evidenced based conclusions. Anyone suffering from FSA? Buy this book for starters. You are not who your family says you are. You can heal. You’re not alone.“— Verified FSA survivor
“This is an excellent book for patients or practitioners. The author shares her extensive experience working with and studying toxic families and how to recover from the experience. This book is a must-have for anyone treating those from dysfunctional families, or family members themselves.” — Melissa Petty, LMSW
“If you think or know you’ve suffered from Family Scapegoat Abuse, run to the ‘add to cart’ button. This book is clear, concise, informative, and ACCURATE. I felt like the author completely described my life. I finally feel understood and empowered to kick this scapegoat role to the curb.” — Verified FSA Survivor
“My psychologist gave me your book to read. I finally could understand what happened to me in my family and now know what to do to recover from it. Your book literally saved my life!” — Verified FSA Survivor
“Finally, a book written by a licensed clinician who has worked as a Family Therapist. Your insights on dysfunctional families that scapegoat are invaluable!”
— Verified FSA Survivor
“Very good book on an oft-misunderstood family dynamic.” — Verified FSA Survivor
“Life-changing read!” — Verified FSA Survivor
“If you think or know you’ve suffered/are suffering from Family Scapegoat Abuse, run – don’t walk – to the add to cart button. This book is clear & concise & informative & ACCURATE…I felt like the author completely described my life. After reading this, I feel understood…and empowered to heal and finally kick this scapegoat role to the curb. I wish anyone else who has dealt with this a life free from such a painful, pervasive issue. I am certain you’ll find this book extremely helpful. Much gratitude to the author”
— Verified FSA Survivor
“Your book offers healing that I thought would never be possible! ”
— Verified FSA Survivor