If you’ve been a therapist for more than five minutes, odds are you’ve heard of Imposter Syndrome. In fact, you’ve probably not only heard of it, it’s likely you’ve experienced it at least once in your career. It is quite common among high achieving individuals like us, my fellow therapist!
As clinicians, we often help our clients work through difficult situations and self-doubt. We have many tools in our toolbox waiting to be used to aid in cognitive challenging and reframing. We know exactly how to assist others in challenging the feeling that they aren’t good enough, and even working through failure. Why is it that it can feel entirely different when it starts happening to us?
Let’s first look at what imposter syndrome is and then we can unpack how to challenge this in our own practice.
What is Imposter Syndrome (Or “IS” for Short)?
Imposter Syndrome is that nagging thought or worry that we may not actually know what we are doing. You may even feel convinced that you are incompetent. IS doesn’t stop there. No, it not only tells us we are NOT as capable as others may think but it also tells us that we will be found out. Everyone will soon know we are a fraud.
Sounds pretty awful right? It is. We live in a world where we are bombarded by ways to “be better.” We are surrounded by social media and various opportunities to compare ourselves to others. This definitely does not help when imposter syndrome rears its ugly head.
Unfortunately, accomplishments don’t shield one from feeling like an imposter either. No matter how knowledgeable, accomplished or celebrated one may be in their field, they can still feel like they are a fraud.
The Effects of Imposter Syndrome
IS can leave anyone feeling less than, not good enough and/or incompetent. If you spend a great deal of time feeling like an imposter you can also expect to feel anxiety, stress and maybe even worthlessness. Not great, right?
Not only can it leave you with less than desirable feelings, IS can really impact your behaviors and functioning. It is difficult to be present and effective in sessions if you are constantly second guessing yourself.
Feeling incompetent can also keep you from pursuing your goals and/or taking the necessary risks to grow in your profession. For example, if you feel like an imposter you may isolate yourself from colleagues and maybe even avoid reaching out for supervision or guidance. You likely know as well as I do that that can be a recipe for disaster.
Where Does Imposter Syndrome Come From?
If you ask ten different therapists, you will likely get ten different answers. That’s how it goes with highly personal content. Each person experiencing IS will have their own unique triggers. Here I will outline the top three that come to mind for me.
Just Starting Out
Being a therapist is a difficult job. No two clients are the same and we deal with some heavy stuff. With that being said, it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I wouldn’t trade this profession for the world. However, it was a lot when I first graduated. (If I’m being honest, it still is a lot most days, in various other ways!)
We are in a unique profession where oftentimes the most novice clinicians see the highest need clients. I loved my first job, which was in an inner city mental health clinic. However, I had only graduated a few months earlier, and many clients I worked with had Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). My work was valuable and rewarding, but at times more challenging that I was prepared for. Thankfully, I had amazing supervisors as well a strong desire to learn and grow. That could have easily not been the case though, and things could have taken a hard left.
It can be overwhelming when you are just out of school and starting to see clients on your own. You want to provide the best services possible, but you may not feel as if you are competent enough to do so. In walks Imposter Syndrome.
Comparison
There is no shortage of ways to compare ourselves to others these days. As a clinician you will likely compare yourself to other therapists, and let’s be real– those therapists are likely experts in their field. Having a mentor or supervisor is imperative no matter how long you have been practicing. It can be problematic, however, if you expect that you will be just as knowledgeable as them right off the bat.
As with any profession, you learn and grow over the years. With a responsibility as heavy as being a therapist, you may feel you don’t have that kind of time. Why don’t you know what your supervisor does? You aren’t going to be able to help anyone…Oh hello, Imposter Syndrome!
You will likely also find yourself comparing yourself to your colleagues. You may start to think everyone else is a better therapist than you are.
Actually Not Knowing Everything
This one can be particularly challenging, because what you are worrying about is actually true. You worry you don’t know everything, and guess what? You don’t. The good news is that no one does. The bad news is also that no one does.
You may be cognitively aware of the fact that no one person can know everything, but we are the exception right? You should know what to say and do at all times. Wrong. You never will.
I like to joke that I spent 7.5 years in school searching for the right thing to say in all situations. The joke is that it’s kind of true. I wanted to know the exact right thing to say to make my client’s life better. The reality is there is no perfect thing to say. There is also no possible way to know all the things.
You will constantly be presented with clients that leave you feeling like you are playing at being a therapist. But when this happens, do you keep going? Do you keep growing? Or, do you fold like a house of cards? The choice is up to you.
What To Do About Imposter Syndrome
Feeling like an imposter can be awful. It can feel paralyzing and leave you questioning whether you made the right career choice. What I can tell you is that you are NOT alone. I would argue that every therapist feels like this from time to time and at varying points in their careers. IS is not something that only impacts newer clinicians. It can and likely will happen to us all more than a few times over the course of time.
Identifying where your feelings are coming from can be step one. Knowing this can help you to decide the best way to intervene. It’s kind of like creating a treatment plan. (Boo, more documentation!)
Get Reframing
While I tell clients that the word “should” is almost always followed by a cognitive distortion or unrealistic expectation, it can also give you some valuable insight. Don’t marinate in your “shoulds,” but gain some knowledge from them. What are they saying? This can give you some insight into what may be causing your imposter syndrome.
For example, “I should know how to treat XYZ.” This lets you know that maybe you are expecting yourself to know more about a specific diagnosis and how to treat it. While this type of thinking likely won’t be motivating, you can reframe it into something you can actually work with. “I am going to learn more about XYZ” is far more empowering and actionable.
Get Talking
If imposter syndrome is following you around, talk about it! Keeping your feelings and experience to yourself will not solve anything. Reach out to colleagues, your supervisor (s), or folks you feel connected to.
If IS is left unattended it will fester and that won’t lead to anything good. We know that feelings like this can’t exist for too long when we are validated, heard and encouraged to find resolution. I also doubt you will talk with someone in the field about IS and leave without similar stories from them.
Odds are whoever you choose to talk to is someone you admire, someone who you definitely don’t think is an “imposter.” When they have a “me too” to offer when it comes to imposter syndrome, it’s likely you will begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Side note: Not all confidants/supervisors are created equal. It is possible that you will confide in someone who has never experienced this. I would argue they are not being completely truthful, but that may be my own bias. Either way, if this does happen, talk to someone else. It does NOT mean there is something wrong with you for experiencing imposter syndrome.
Get Moving
Whatever you do, don’t stay stuck in imposter syndrome. This is something I would argue we all experience but it is NOT where you want to remain. Staying in this place will impact your work and your own mental health.
Find out where these feelings are coming from and do what you need to do to work through it. It will make you a better clinician and maybe even a better human in the long run. The work may be tough, but you are tougher.
To Sum It Up
If you are feeling like an imposter you are not alone. Imposter syndrome affects many professionals, especially therapists. Don’t stay stuck.
Figure out where your feelings are coming from. Are you comparing yourself? Are you newer to the field? Do you have unrealistic expectations? Do you need more training?
We have all been there and we have all felt similar things. The real test is what you do with these feelings. Imposter syndrome is powerful, but you are not powerless.
Be curious about your feelings, reframe those cognitive distortions, talk about how you feel, and don’t stay stuck!
Practice what you preach my fellow therapist, and see you next time.
*Feeling like you need a change? It may be time to explore something new. If you are a therapist licensed in North Carolina, send your cover letter and resume to the following email: Applicants@CarolinaCounselingServices.com We look forward to hearing from you!
