Therapist Recommended: Family scapegoating is an insidious form of “invisible” abuse that is difficult to recognize. It is therefore critical that adult survivors understand what type of abuse they are trying to recover from. In Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed, Licensed Psychotherapist and Family Systems expert Rebecca C. Mandeville uses her research findings on what she named family scapegoating abuse (FSA) to help survivors recognize and release the damaging ‘scapegoat’ narrative associated with the (dysfunctional) family ‘identified patient’ role. This 2nd revision includes additional recovery suggestions, resources, and updated links. Also suitable for concerned friends and clinicians.

In these pages you’ll discover:

The FSA Self-Assessment Test
How to recognize and identify family scapegoating abuse (FSA) signs and symptoms
Why scapegoated individuals have difficulty recognizing they are being abused
How complex trauma (C-PTSD), betrayal trauma, and toxic shame impede FSA recovery
How intergenerational trauma and false narratives fuel family scapegoating dynamics