Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Education

Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP

All posts in C-PTSD

The Fantasy “Repair” Experience of the FSA Adult Survivor

The Fantasy “Repair” Experience of the FSA Adult Survivor

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in Adult Survivors of Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA), Betrayal Trauma, C-PTSD, FSA Recovery9 Replies

One of the things that keeps survivors of family scapegoating abuse (FSA) stuck and unable to progress in their recovery is the fantasy that if they can say the ‘right’ thing to the ‘right’ person within (or connected to) their family-of-origin, the fact of their abuse will be acknowledged and validated. Tragically, this is unlikely to happen. But this does not change the truth of what happened to you, and your truth deserves to be both told and then heard and validated by people who have the capacity to care.

Addressing Complex Trauma in Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Recovery

Addressing Complex Trauma in Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Recovery

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Complex Trauma, Family Scapegoating, Family Scapegoating Abuse, Uncategorized3 Replies

Recovering from the traumatizing aspects of family scapegoating abuse (FSA) is an individual process and each FSA adult survivor’s healing journey will be unique. But no matter the recovery route you take, you will want to first ensure you build a strong foundation for recovery by addressing symptoms of complex trauma (C-PTSD).

Family Scapegoating Abuse, Trauma, and Structural Dissociation

Family Scapegoating Abuse, Trauma, and Structural Dissociation

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Complex Trauma, Family Scapegoating Abuse, FSA Recovery, structural dissociation15 Replies

When FSA adult survivors are chronically traumatized within their family-of-origin, they can develop a form of dissociation known as structural dissociation, whereby the personality lacks integration and expresses itself through ‘parts’. But it is never too late to experience your innate wholeness…

The Scapegoat Child and the Malignant Narcissist Parent

The Scapegoat Child and the Malignant Narcissist Parent

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in Adverse Childhood Experiences, C-PTSD, Family Scapegoating Abuse, malignant narcissist parent9 Replies

For the child victim of family scapegoating abuse (FSA), the ‘scapegoat story’ created by one or both parents (which the entire family invariably adapts and accepts unquestioningly) can negatively impact their mental and emotional health. When a parent is a malignant narcissist, the abuse the child experiences can be extreme, resulting in complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms secondary to grave psycho-emotional distress.

The Relationship Between Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) and Traumatic Shame

The Relationship Between Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) and Traumatic Shame

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Complex Trauma, FSA Recovery, Toxic Shame, traumatic shame2 Replies

There are very few clients who enter my FSA Recovery Coaching practice who are not suffering from traumatic shame (also known as ‘toxic shame’), as well as a variety of complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms – something I discuss at length in my book, Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed. While traumatic shame creates a sense of social isolation, complex trauma itself fragments us and leads to self-alienation, leaving the adult survivor of family scapegoating abuse (FSA) feeling intensely alone and unsupported.

To Meet Publishing Requirements, This Free Preview Chapter From My Book ‘Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed’ Is No Longer Available

To Meet Publishing Requirements, This Free Preview Chapter From My Book ‘Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed’ Is No Longer Available

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Complex Trauma, Family Scapegoating Abuse, toxic family abuse6 Replies

This article was originally published on Psych Central as an advance preview of my book on family scapegoating abuse (FSA), Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed. To comply with current publishing requirements, I am no longer able to offer portions of my book for free online. Visit my blog to see more articles on family scapegoating and…

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Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) as Psychological Trauma

Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) as Psychological Trauma

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in Betrayal Trauma, C-PTSD, Child Abuse - Psychoemotional [hidden, covert, invisible abuse], Dysfunctional Family Dynamics, Family Scapegoating Abuse14 Replies

As we learn more about Complex Trauma (C-PTSD), it becomes increasingly clear that family scapegoating abuse (FSA) can lead to the development of C-PTSD symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed and mislabelled by Mental Health Professionals if and when the FSA adult survivor seeks therapeutic treatment and support.

When Your Family Invalidates Your Experiences of Abuse and Complex Trauma

When Your Family Invalidates Your Experiences of Abuse and Complex Trauma

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in Adult Survivors of Child Abuse, C-PTSD, Child Abuse - Psychoemotional [hidden, covert, invisible abuse], Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Dysfunctional Family Dynamics, Family Scapegoat, Family Scapegoating Abuse, FSA, FSA Recovery, toxic family abuse, Uncategorized29 Replies

It is difficult enough to bear the burden of traumatic childhood experiences and its long-term physical, emotional, and mental effects. For adult survivors of family scapegoating abuse (FSA), this difficulty is magnified by the fact that their reports of abuse or trauma are typically denied, dismissed, and invalidated by their family due to their being in the ‘identified patient’ role…

10 Strategies for Navigating Holiday Family Gatherings

10 Strategies for Navigating Holiday Family Gatherings

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Family Gatherings, Holidays, Radical Acceptance, Surviving the holidays with dysfunctional family14 Replies

It is common to have high expectations when thinking of reuniting with family you haven’t seen for a long time. Alternatively, you might fear that your worst expectations will be realized if you get together with nuclear and/or extended family members for a holiday celebration.

10 Self-Care Tips for Adult Survivors of Family Scapegoating

10 Self-Care Tips for Adult Survivors of Family Scapegoating

Posted on Author Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPPosted in C-PTSD, Contact Issues and Challenges, Family Scapegoat, Family Scapegoating Abuse Checklist, Uncategorized4 Replies

If you’re in the ‘family scapegoat’ role and in contact with family members who continue to subject you to mental and emotional abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, and narcissistic behaviors, this checklist will aid you in protecting your emotional and mental health.

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