I often find that when I’m providing therapy for professionals, I am also helping them identfy and overcome symptoms of Imposter Syndrome. Many of the clients I see in my practice are working professionals who find that living up to expectations of their performance leaves them stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. One of the first steps we take in our sessions is to begin exploring internal narratives that impact their perceptions of their accomplishments.
“I’m afraid that someone will discover who I really am”
“I’m not as capable as they think I am”
“What I’m doing isn’t enough”
“I’m only successful because I’m lucky”
Imposter Syndrome creates a narrative that fuels insecurity and self-doubt. A therapist experienced in providing therapy for imposter syndrome can help you overcome imposter syndrome and feel more confident in your abilities!
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome describes individuals who, despite their achievements and success, experience persistent self-doubt and beliefs that they are fraudulent or “imposters”. They may have a hard time attributing their success to their own competence and abilities. Individuals who experience imposter syndrome may believe that it’s just luck or circumstance that has led to their success. They often overcompensate for these fears by putting extreme efforts into hiding their perceived flaws.
Individuals who experience imposter syndrome often experience unrealistic fears of being “found out” or exposed for their inadequacies and believe that their abilities are over-estimated by others.
Research shows us that the effects of Imposter Syndrome are significant and often associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. But the effects of Imposter Syndrome in the workplace are impactful as well. People who experience Imposter Syndrome spend huge amounts of time and energy trying to convince themselves (and others!) that they are good enough be there. They often question their professional legitimacy and are less likely to feel confident enough to engage in opportunities for advancement. Over time, this can lead to impaired job performance, low job satisfaction, and higher rates of burnout.
Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome
Despite its significant impact on overall emotional and physical wellbeing, Imposter Syndrome is not recognized as a formal mental health diagnosis. This can contribute to signs and symptoms of Imposter Syndrome to be overlooked and invalidated, furthering perceptions that something is “wrong” with the person experiencing them. Some of the signs and symptoms I see often when providing therapy for Imposter Syndrome include…
-persistent feelings of inadequacy
-fears of being “found out” or exposed as a fraud
-invalidating your own accomplishments
-having a difficult time accepting positive feedback
-feeling an urgent need to over-prepare for an assigned task
-avoiding social situations where you can be compared with others
-experiencing dread, worry, or procrastination when expected to achieve a goal
-extreme fears of being evaluated by others
You don’t have to do this alone. Therapy for Imposter Syndrome can help you move forward.
How Can Therapy for Imposter Syndrome Help Me?
Imposter Syndrome puts you in an impossible position where you are afraid of both failure and success. You don’t trust yourself to be recognized or seen for who you truly are and spend way too much energy investing in the creation of a version of you that just isn’t accurate. There is incredible power in beginning to understand your story from a place of compassion and strength. I want to help you rewrite old narratives about who you are so that you feel empowered to move forward.
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome can help you begin to challenge distorted beliefs and expectations that get in the way of your ability to thrive. You deserve to show up comfortable and confident in your ability to achieve success!
You are already enough. And if you don’t believe that, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. We’ll schedule a quick phone call to talk about how therapy can help you begin to embrace who you are and move forward in way that feels authentic to you!