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10 Rules of Families That Scapegoat
A family that is dominated by a dysfunctional or narcissistic parent may result in its members living under a set of unspoken ‘rules’, rules which benefit the parent at the expense of their children’s well-being. The research I conducted on what I named family scapegoating abuse (FSA) suggests that dysfunctional families that scapegoat are also governed by a specific set of rules. This article reviews ten rules that I have identified as being evident in families that scapegoat one of their own.
Addressing Complex Trauma in Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) Recovery
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).
FSA Recovery Coaching Training for Licensed Therapists and Certified Coaches
FSA RECOVERY COACHING TRAININGFor Licensed Therapists & Certified Coaches FSA RECOVERY COACHING TRAINING WITH REBECCA C. MANDEVILLE, MFT Dear Practitioner: I am currently in the process of putting together online training courses on what I named Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA). I hope to have the initial courses available in 2023. If you’d like me to email…
DARVO and Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA): When the Abused Are Revictimized by Their Abuser
One of the more baffling and incomprehensible aspects of being scapegoated by family is being the target of mentally and emotionally abusive behaviors; reacting to the abuse appropriately (e.g., expressing hurt, confusion, anger, setting boundaries, etc), and then discovering that the person who committed the harmful or abusive acts views themselves as the victim – not the one they harmed.
When Your Family Invalidates Your Experiences of Abuse and Complex Trauma
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…
Radical Acceptance and Family Scapegoating Abuse Recovery
Many people are familiar with Kubler-Ross’s ‘Five Stages of Grief’, which are Denial; Anger; Bargaining; Depression; Acceptance. In my model for family scapegoating abuse (FSA) recovery (which I will expand upon in an upcoming book), I use the term ‘radical acceptance’ versus ‘acceptance’ to describe a late-stage healing concept that is critical to the FSA adult survivor’s full recovery from systemic family abuse.
FSA Newsletter and Updates
Update: 02-15-22 Due to my now being semi-retired, I am no longer sending out a monthly FSA Newsletter. To receive my articles on scapegoating and other types of family dysfunction, you can subscribe to my FSA blog. Warmly, Rebecca C Mandeville, MA, MFT Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTPRebecca C.Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP, is an internationally recognized…
10 Self-Care Tips for Adult Survivors of Family Scapegoating
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.
Divorcing a Covert Abuser: When Your Family Sides With Your Ex
Few things are more heart-wrenching to me as a Mental Health practitioner than when I see a client being scapegoated, betrayed, and abandoned by their family-of-origin – and even some friends – when divorcing a spouse that engages in covert abuse…