THERAPY FOR Imposter syndrome
Signs + Treatment
Imposter syndrome is an extremely common phenomenon in which a person doubts their own skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. While imposter syndrome can affect anyone, it is particularly common among high-achieving professionals including lawyers, consultants, educators, health care professionals and those in corporate settings.
Career professionals often face intense pressure to perform at a very high level, whether from themselves or others. They may also compare themselves to their colleagues and peers, believing that everyone else is more skilled, experienced, knowledgeable or "together" than they are. These feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt can lead to a cycle of worried thinking, anxiety, and even burnout or depression.
Here are some common signs of imposter syndrome:
- Feeling like a fraud, even when others praise or compliment your work.
- Believing that your success is due to luck or other external factors, rather than your own abilities and hard work.
- Being afraid of failure and feeling like any mistake will reveal your incompetence.
- Avoiding challenges or opportunities for growth because you fear you will not be able to handle them. Procrastination tends to go alongside imposter syndrome for this same reason.
- Comparing yourself to others and feeling inferior, embarrassed or inadequate.
If you are experiencing imposter syndrome, it is important to understand that while these feelings are unfortunately common, they can be overcome.
Here are some strategies we use to help you overcome imposter syndrome:
- We help you learn to acknowledge your feelings: It is important to recognize and acknowledge the feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy that you are experiencing. Take a moment whenever possible to notice and acknowledge rather than ignore or push through these feelings.
- Practicing self-kindness and self-compassion: We help you learn how to be kind and gentle with yourself when you notice these "imposter syndrome" type thoughts and feelings. You might say to yourself, in an act of self-compassion, "these feelings are allowed."
- We help you see that you do not have to try and talk yourself out of your feelings of self-doubt, nor does that help. Trying to rationalize why you shouldn't feel self doubt or like an imposter may help us temporarily but usually leaves us feeling like we are failing when we still feel self-doubt. Instead, as you learn how to be kinder and more understanding towards yourself, your ability to see your strengths heightens.
Our team of therapists is here to help you. We help you learn the language of self-compassion so that you can experience true confidence and finally overcome imposter syndrome. Please don't hesitate to be in touch with questions, or to learn more about how we can best support you.
We're here to help
Our team specializes in providing counselling/therapy to career professionals & lawyers in Ontario & BC struggling with anxiety, stress, burnout, low mood/depression, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, ADHD, grief & loss, relationship & career challenges.