Originally posted December 2019. Revised and updated November 2024 Surviving the Holidays The holiday season can be difficult for those of us who have experienced family abuse, scapegoating, estrangement or other serious personal losses in our immediate and extended families. The holidays can painfully underscore either a past that was and will never occur again, […]
Self Acceptance – The Key to Self Worth
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change ~ Carl Rogers Self Acceptance – The Foundation of Mental Health and Positive Relationships Nobody contacts me for counseling complaining that a lack of self acceptance is a problem for them. Instead, people say things like “I lost […]
Healing the Loneliness of Family Scapegoat Abuse
By Glynis Sherwood, MEd, Psychotherapist & Coach Very Early Childhood Is the Bedrock for Secure Attachment and Healthy Personality Development Article at a Glance Impact of Narcissistic and Antisocial Parenting: Children in narcissistic or antisocial family environments often become scapegoats, blamed for family issues. This scapegoating creates a false, shame-based identity, often leading […]
Family Scapegoat Asks ‘What’s With the Rejection & Manipulation’ – Glynis Sherwood MEd
By Glynis Sherwood MEd, Trauma Therapist & Coach Question I am the family scapegoat with a very narcissistic mother, enabling father and golden child narcissistic sister. My ex husband walked out Christmas 2021 due to an affair and terrible addiction problems, plus years of lying and psychological abuse. We had been […]
Family Scapegoating – How to Survive Betrayal
The Family Scapegoat: 5 Ways To Survive Betrayal An Interview with Glynis Sherwood MEd by Abby Gardiner of Stress Bubbles Scapegoating is family bullying ~ Glynis Sherwood Being the family scapegoat is a life altering, kick in the stomach, stunning shock. It’s not about being the noisy, difficult one in the family and […]
Healing from Narcissistic, Borderline or AntiSocial Personality Disorder Abuse
By Glynis Sherwood, MEd, Psychotherapist & Therapeutic Coach I Put a Spell On You, Because You’re Not Mine Yes, I’m deliberately misquoting Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 1956 blues-rock classic, I Put a Spell On You, Because You’re Mine. Folks with narcissistic, borderline, histrionic or antisocial parents, siblings, partners and friends have experienced […]
Life After Family Scapegoating – Healing From Trauma Bonds & Intermittent Reinforcement
By Glynis Sherwood, MEd, Psychotherapist & Therapeutic Coach People who grew up in abusive, emotionally negligent families are vulnerable to falling into similar relationship dynamics in adulthood. This can happen with friends as well as intimate partners. This phenomena is known as traumatic reenactment – what I call ‘choosing the devil you know’, […]
Scapegoating & Complex Trauma: A Video Podcast
Scapegoating & Relationship Trauma – At Work, In Families & Cancel Culture I was interviewed by video blogger Tegan Osmond for her YouTube Channel in February 2023. Tegan is an Ontario Canada based coach who focuses on narcissistic abuse, trauma awareness and recovery, workplace bullying, and family and social scapegoating dynamics. During this […]
How Do I Deal With My Narcissist Mom So I Can Visit My Dad?
Ask Glynis Sherwood MEd – Therapist & Coach Winter 2023 Ask the Therapist & Coach is an education & information column only. It is not counseling nor a substitute for psychotherapy. Every couple of months I answer a question from a member of my mailing list on my advice column. Please join […]
Childhood Emotional Deprivation – The Sins of Omission
The Eternal Exile People tend to associate family abuse with acts of overt or covert aggression. Examples of overt aggression include yelling, abusive language such as name calling, threats, ridicule and shaming; and behaviors ranging from coercion, to more aggressive restraining, and assault. Covert hostility shows up as passive aggressive behavior – […]
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