When Imposter Syndrome Takes The Wheel

And how to take it back!

I am a psychologist. I have spent years in training, supervision, continuing education, consultation, conducting research, reading literature… the list goes on! I have a specialty. And still, I sometimes sit down with a new client and think: What if I’m not good enough to help this person?

If you have ever started a new job, taken on a big project, or stepped into a leadership role, I imagine you may have experienced some version of that same thought.

Imposter syndrome is one of those experiences that doesn’t give a sh*t about your credentials. It doesn’t care how many years you’ve been working, how many hours you’ve put in, how many certifications or degrees you’ve earned, or how many times someone has told you that you made a difference. In fact, let’s be real about that last one: imposter syndrome makes it hard to even accept the compliment. Despite the clear evidence in front of you (a promotion, a positive review, someone directly saying “you really helped me” or “you did an excellent job!”) imposter syndrome creeps in to twist it around and tries to convince you it was luck, circumstance, or someone else’s doing. Never yours.

And it wouldn’t be imposter syndrome if it didn’t choose to show up at the absolute worst times. Right before a big presentation. On the first day of something new. In the middle of a challenge you’re not sure you can handle. Right before you’re about to do something you’ve worked so hard for.

After sitting with my own imposter syndrome for a while, I learned something: The self-doubt doesn’t mean we think our knowledge and professional abilities are useless. It actually means something far more constructive…the trick is using it that way!

The Origin of Self-Doubt

Imposter syndrome is not random. It tends to show up most persistently in people who care deeply about the quality of their work and doing things “right.” As a clinician, I see this all the time in myself and in the people I work with. Therapy is high stakes. Someone is trusting you with their growth. With the most delicate and challenging moments in their life. Of course there is pressure to get it right!

But this is just as true outside of the therapy room. When you really care about your work, the stakes feel high, and the pressure is real. And that creates a perfect opening for doubt to creep in. That self-doubt is a sign that you take what you do seriously. It is a sign that you understand the weight of the responsibility in front of you.

Certainty without curiosity can lead to uninformed decision making in any field. This is not to say that confidence is a bad thing - I have far more moments of confidence than doubt as I’ve grown in my career, and I imagine you do too. But I’m not focused on the moments of confidence right now. I’m focused on that little voice that likes to pop up now and again.

When the self-doubt creeps in, observe that experience without judgement (or try to at least). Take a moment to wonder where the doubt is coming from. Put a name to it. A reason. Because once you realize that the doubt is rooted in how much you care about doing things well, it starts to lose some of its power. It stops feeling like evidence that you don’t belong and starts feeling like evidence that you do.

Life-Long Learner Mindset for the Win!

There is always more to learn. That is not a flaw, it is the nature of doing meaningful work and being human. The world is constantly changing. In my field, the research is always evolving. The most skilled clinicians I know are the ones who stay curious, who ask for a consult when they are uncertain, who recognize that every person brings their own wealth of knowledge to the table.

The same is true in every field, and honestly, in life. The people who tend to be the best at what they do are rarely the ones who think they already know everything. They are the ones who are willing to sit with uncertainty, ask questions, and keep growing. They are OK with not having all the answers because knowing everything is not what makes someone great. Being committed to continued learning and growth is what makes someone excellent at what they do.

A learner mindset doesn’t mean you don’t know enough to be effective. It means you understand your work well enough to know that your education is never finished. That humility is not inadequacy. It is integrity.

Let’s Reframe Self-Doubt

Once you can name where the doubt is coming from, you can start to reconfigure how you engage with it. In my work, I help clients challenge unhelpful thought patterns all the time (shout out CBT!) and yet when it comes to my own mind, I sometimes forget to use those same tools. I won’t pretend these reframes magically make imposter syndrome disappear. They don’t. Not for me anyway. But what they do is give me somewhere to put the doubt that feels more productive than letting it run the show.

Here are a few reframes that might help:

Shift the mind away from giving up or feeling unworthy towards preparation, planning, and take action.

Imposter syndrome says:“Maybe I’m not good enough for this.”

Reframe: “What do I need to do to feel prepared so I can show up as effectively as possible?”

Lean into your resources.

Imposter syndrome says: “I don’t know enough.”

Reframe:“I know how to find the information I need.”

Remind yourself why you’re there.

Imposter syndrome says: “They deserve someone better than me.”

Reframe:“They deserve someone who takes this seriously - and I do.”

Important Note for Mental Health Professionals: This article is referencing imposter syndrome, which occurs when a professional feels inadequate despite their expertise. I want to be clear that when a clinician does not have the experience or expertise to provide appropriate support to a client in their care, then the best course of action is to refer them to someone who would be a better fit. No one can be an expert on everything, so it is important to reflect on our capabilities and be honest about remaining within our scope of practice!

I Have the Tools… But I Still Feel It

Here’s something I keep noticing in my own work. When a client makes progress, my first instinct is to be amazed by them. By their resilience, their willingness to do the hard work, their ability to take a skill we talked about and actually use it in their life. I am so proud of them.

But when my clients say something like “you’ve helped me so much” or “I don’t think I could have done this without you,” I am caught off guard. Somewhere in the back of my mind, imposter syndrome was hard at work convincing me that the client was doing it all on their own and I was just there to cheer them on. Sounds silly - I know.

I think a lot of people can relate to this experience - the tendency to deflect credit, to minimize your role, to explain away your impact as luck or timing or someone else’s effort. The truth is, the people around you don’t grow in a vacuum. You show up. You contribute. You hold space, ask the right questions, teach skills, and push people forward in ways that matter, even when you can’t fully see it yourself.

Their effort and growth belongs to them. And your role in it belongs to you.

A Reminder for Anyone Reading This

What you do matters. It is impactful, even when your imposter syndrome is being particularly loud about convincing you otherwise. Self-doubt is not a verdict. It is a signal that you care.

Your care, curiosity, and commitment to growth is exactly what the work requires - whatever field you are in.

You don’t have to be certain all the time to be effective.

You just have to keep showing up.

About The Author

Amanda Marshall, Ph.D., NCSP

Dr. Marshall is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist, and the founder of Inspire Psychology, a private psychology practice serving adolescents, adults, and families across New Jersey, New York, and PSYPACT participating jurisdictions. She specializes in neurodivergent experiences, executive functioning, learning differences, anxiety, depression, OCD, and life transitions. Her approach is grounded in acceptance — helping people understand their own minds with curiosity rather than judgment. If something here resonated, you can learn more or schedule a free 15-minute consultation at inspirepsycnj.com

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