Experiencing moments of self-doubt when faced with a task, even those you excel at is a normal experience. However, Imposter Syndrome can be a constant feeling, causing you to feel phony, nervous, and doubtful, even when you achieve something great in your life! Imposter syndrome can affect anyone, and while not a diagnosable mental illness, it’s a psychological phenomenon that our team at Monarch’s Therapy can help treat.

Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Breaking Free from Self-Doubt

Imposter syndrome is a set of thought patterns that cause people to doubt their accomplishments, and it’s often accompanied by persistent fear or anxiety about being exposed as a fraud. However, imposter syndrome can appear in many iterations, including:

• The Perfectionist: Perfectionists are the most common type, as every action taken requires absolute perfection and is often accompanied by critics about doing and being better than before.
• The Expert: The expert often strives to feel like they should know everything about their chosen subject or topic, constantly chasing the expectation of being an expert in their field.
• The Natural Genius: Through this iteration, people may feel like a fraud when they don’t believe they’re intelligent or competent to master skills.
• The Soloist: Soloists tend to feel like an imposter when they have to ask for help from others to reach their goals, causing them to question their competency and abilities.
• The Superperson: Superpersons often believe that by being the hardest worker, they can achieve the highest levels of achievement possible to them, and if they don’t, then they feel like a fraud.

At Monarch’s Therapy, we can help track down the feelings that come with imposter syndrome and help our clients recognize their sense of worth, build confidence, and overcome their self-limiting beliefs. Our team can offer a range of strategies to help our clients overcome imposter syndrome, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: By challenging negative self-talk and identifying self-limiting beliefs, CBT treatment can help reframe your thoughts and help you develop a more accurate, positive perception of yourself.
• Individual Therapy: Individual therapy sessions can explore and challenge your beliefs, give insight into your deep-rooted core beliefs about yourself, and help you build goals and become self-confident through your strengths and accomplishments.
• Cognitive Processing Therapy: Similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy can work to examine old beliefs and gradually replace them with newer, more accurate cognitions. Our therapists can help you explore problematic beliefs and identify unhealthy thinking patterns through this form of therapy.
• Mindfulness and Self-Care: Some mindfulness techniques and self-care practices can be integrated into your therapy to help enhance self-awareness, manage stress, and help foster self-compassion with their achievements.

Take the First Step Towards Embracing Your Worth

If you are grappling with Imposter Syndrome, Monarchs Therapy supports your journey to self-acceptance and self-confidence. Contact us today at (818) 741-1221 to schedule an appointment with Judith Verduzco, LCSW, MPA. Our clinic in La Crescenta, CA, offers a safe and compassionate environment where you can explore your experiences and find the strength to overcome Imposter Syndrome.