Uncovering Transgenerational Grief, Loss, and Trauma
How Family Genograms can help adult survivors heal from Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA). By Rebecca C. Mandeville, LMFT, CCTP
Paid Subscribers: Use this week’s FSA Recovery Affirmation to further explore transgenerational grief and healing:
https://familyscapegoathealing.substack.com/p/scapegoat-anger-and-grief
The Energetic Burden of Transgenerational Grief
Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA) is a dysfunctional systemic phenomenon whereby one member becomes the ‘scapegoat’, bearing the brunt of the family's unresolved conflicts and negative emotions. The targeted family member experiences chronic ‘shaming and blaming’, criticism, and even ostracization, leading to profound feelings of rejection, guilt, and confusion, eroding their sense of identity and reality.
The rigid roles and the participation or silence of other family members reinforce this isolating dynamic, making it challenging for the child victim or adult survivor of FSA to challenge the distorted narratives attached to them. Recognizing these patterns of blame, distorted narratives, emotional isolation, and rigid …