Imposter Syndrome in the Workplace

What is imposter syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is loosely defined as feeling like a fraud and being doubtful of your abilities. Someone with imposter syndrome might attribute something going well to “luck” and undeserving rather than recognising the successes are a result of their ability and hard work. They may have an ongoing anxiety lurking inside of them that someone is going to expose their true self at any moment and prove that they are an imposter.

It has been estimated that Imposter Syndrome affects almost three-quarters of people at some point during their lives. Imposter Syndrome can affect anyone: all ages, races, classes, gender and occupations. It does not discriminate.

Whilst Imposter Syndrome is often attributed to achievements and intelligence, specially within the workplace, it can also be applied to social interactions. Those who experience the disorder may find themselves within a vicious “imposter cycle” which can have really negative consequences on the quality of their lives.

Imposter Syndrome is relatively common within the workplace environment, and when receiving a new task, the “imposter” will typically act in one of two ways;

As a result of fear that they cannot do the task which they are fully capable of, they will procrastinate with the hope they can get out of doing a task, or submitting something in a rushed manor.
Put in significantly more work than expected, or needed to produce the work.

If the former results in success, the “imposter” will believe it is down to luck. If the latter, they will believe that their work was only of good enough quality as they worked extra hard at the task at hand. And hence, the “imposter cycle” continues.

As well as impacting performance and sometimes career progression within the workplace, it can also cause significant distress for those suffering from Imposter Syndrome.

Online CBT for imposter syndrome

It has been proposed that Imposter Syndrome can often stem from childhood: perhaps attending a highly competitive school, or with no one having any expectations of your performance. Over a period of time, these experiences can lead to feelings of not being good enough.

Here at CBT Avon, we are have a wealth of experience delivering online CBT to clients who have Imposter Syndrome. Through identifying triggers and negative thoughts, CBT will teach you tools to overcome the “imposter cycle” and learn new behaviours.

“I just thought I would email you and say a massive Thankyou. Yesterday I was fully discharged from your service and without you I wouldn’t of fully acknowledged something was wrong and that I wasn’t ok 🙂 you didn’t judge me and just listened to me (and I know that’s obviously your job) but I just want to say you where a massive part of my recovery and I never thought I would of made it. So Thankyou for your help !”

Do Holland Pearse Psychotherapy Offer therapy for Imposter Syndrome

Yes, here at CBT Avon, we are specialists in imposter syndrome. We offer CBT therapy across the UK over zoom and on the telephone. Our non-judgemental and friendly therapy has helped many individuals manage the symptoms of imposter syndrome and enabled them to live more fulfilling lives into the future.

How many sessions of CBT therapy will I need for my Imposter Syndrome?

Like the majority of disorders which we offer treatment for, this will differ from person to person. The factors which might impact how many sessions of therapy you might require for imposter syndrome include how long you have been suffering for, and how severe your symptoms are.

How long is each session of CBT?

Our CBT sessions are usually 50 minutes.

What is imposter syndrome?