Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed: Help and Hope for Adults in the Family Scapegoat Role

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

- Why the family 'Empath' can end up scapegoated

- Strategies to reduce fawning behaviors and realign with your 'true self'

- Recommended resources and therapy modalities for FSA recovery

Rejected, Shamed, and Blamed was a 2021 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Finalist

Editorial Reviews:

This much needed work by Rebecca C. Mandeville provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject of family scapegoating and serves as a starting point for survivor awareness and further research for professionals if they want to begin filling in the gaps for this misunderstood and under-served community. It is dense and informative, but with a writing style that makes it easy to read.  

This book also serves an important niche within Family Systems literature, as it was written for those who were assigned the role of 'family scapegoat' within their dysfunctional family system. It adeptly addresses with specificity the abuses and emotional injuries scapegoated adults experience, which are distinct, and often more damaging than those associated with other dysfunctional family roles. 

- Lisa Marie Campagnoli, Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, RYT-200 

Recommended reading for those suffering in the family scapegoat role as well as Mental Health professionals.

- Shellie Krick, MSW

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

Life Changing Read!

 I am 64 y/o and have had an adult lifetime of therapy, counseling, spiritual guidance, support groups, and/or self-help reading to try and put to words or find definition of what I knew I felt, or why I responded the way I did, or how I could 'see' how I was 'viewed' or treated by family. This little book - with its easy read and understandability - answered so many of my questions and gave me more insight into the why's of it all than any other resource, ever. I am more at peace with myself after reading this book - which I will re-read and, am sure, refer to often in the future - than I ever have been. I seriously feel I can now move forward with new comprehension of my family's dynamics and sense of self. I HIGHLY recommend this book; can't say enough good things about it.

From the Author: "Scapegoating in any social system is a dehumanizing process of 'othering'. When you are the target of scapegoating in your family-of-origin, the consequences to your mental and emotional health can be severe, including the development of complex trauma (C-PTSD) symptoms. This introductory guide's purpose is to help the reader determine if they are in the 'family scapegoat' role while educating on family scapegoating dynamics and the devastating consequences of being 'rejected, shamed, and blamed' by the people who were supposed to love and care for them the most."

Rebecca C. Mandeville is a licensed Marriage, Family Therapist, Certified Complex Trauma Professional, and recognized Family Systems expert. She has over 20 years experience in treating adult survivors of dysfunctional family abuse in both clinical and private practice settings. She coined the term family scapegoating abuse (FSA) while researching family scapegoating's impact on the targeted child / adult child while Core Faculty at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. She is also a pioneer in identifying the overlapping symptoms of family scapegoating abuse (FSA), complex trauma (C-PTSD), betrayal trauma, and the devastating impact and effects of multigenerational trauma on adult survivors of dysfunctional, narcissistic, or abusive family systems.