Impostor Syndrome Can Be Beat

Self Doubt Holding You Back?

“I feel like a fraud.” I’ll get found out any minute.” “I’m really not as smart, talented, qualified as they think I am…”  But your accomplishments prove you really are smart, competent, talented. Any of this ring true?  Then you probably have Impostor Syndrome.

You are Not Alone!

You’re not alone and you’re probably a conscientious person with empathy for others.  It’s common for talented, capable people to have trouble believing any amount of evidence that they are not an impostor, no matter how successful they become.  Many of my clients confide in me that these self doubts have been blocking them. I’ve also experienced it myself, when I was in a previous career.  You may be even more prone to this lack of belief in yourself if you fall into a category that is often considered less capable than others:  younger than others, in a nontraditional career, a woman, lesser credentials than others. My clients with impostor syndrome have been professors, teachers, writers, artists, TV/Film producers, business owners, lawyers, doctors, ….many are HSPs, and some are quiet leaders.

Signs of Impostor Syndrome:

You may struggle with procrastination, anxiety, overpreparing, overworking, and perfectionism.  Some of you  may suffer from shame & self sabotage.  “I want a more rewarding career, to apply for promotions, become self-employed, be confident in meetings, give better presentations, have better relationships….” is what I often hear from my clients. I also hear: “Thanks, I got the relationship I always wanted, I got the job/the promotion,  I can speak up now in meetings, my anxiety is gone, I feel more confident now.” Maybe you would like the same results.

What Doesn’t Work:

Calmly choosing different thoughts, affirmations.  Your inner critic is in your unconscious. It’s hard to reach that part of your brain when you’re calm. Your unconscious is way, way more more powerful than your conscious mind. You’ve probably tried thinking self confident thoughts already, haven’t you. Did it work? Long term? Probably not.

What Works:

Your inner critic is the root cause of impostor syndrome. We can remove it.  Replace it with a firm but kind, encouraging inner voice.     EMDR therapy can replace the inner critic’s impostor beliefs with stronger, healthier, more balanced beliefs.   EMDR gets to the root of what installed your inner critic and replaces it with what you wished had happened and what that really meant about you. It includes feeling some strong emotions for brief moments. Targeted to certain events & thoughts. That’s what creates neuroplasticity (change in brain wiring). Which is what you want, if you desire permanent, healthy self confidence.  So you can offer more of your gifts to the world and live a more meaningful, joyful life.

For more info, please visit:    Impostor Syndrome Article

http://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/money-and-career/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-impostor-syndrome

Also see my page on EMDR.