Imposter Syndrome: When Feeling Like a Fraud Won’t Go Away
You’ve done the work. You’ve earned the degrees, the promotions, the praise. But inside, it still feels like any moment now, someone’s going to find out you’re not actually that competent—or that you’ve just been faking it this whole time.
That feeling has a name: imposter syndrome. And you’re definitely not alone.
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Coined in 1978 by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes, “imposter phenomenon” was originally used to describe high-achieving women who struggled to internalize success. Despite external accomplishments, these women often believed they had fooled others and feared being exposed as frauds.
Today, imposter syndrome is understood more broadly as the experience of persistent self-doubt, insecurity, and fear of failure—even in the face of clear evidence of competence.
Signs of Imposter Syndrome
• You attribute success to luck or external factors
• You minimize your accomplishments or downplay praise
• You overwork to “prove yourself” or avoid being found out
• You fear failure and avoid taking risks
• You struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, or burnout
• You constantly compare yourself to others
Imposter syndrome is common among women, especially in environments where gender, race, or cultural identity are underrepresented or undervalued. It’s not just a confidence issue—it’s often tied to deeper experiences of invalidation, rejection, or cultural messaging around worth.
The Psychology Behind It
Imposter syndrome isn’t a clinical diagnosis—but it’s often connected to issues like:
• Attachment wounds or early experiences where success didn’t equal safety
• Perfectionism and a harsh inner critic
• Relational trauma, particularly around authority, visibility, or achievement
• Marginalization, especially for women of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and those in predominantly white or male spaces
At its core, imposter syndrome says: You are not enough. And that belief often didn’t come from nowhere—it was learned, often early, and reinforced over time.
How EMDR Can Help with Imposter Syndrome
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapeutic approach that helps target and resolve the root experiences fueling imposter syndrome—not just the surface thoughts.
In EMDR, we focus on identifying the negative self-beliefs (like “I’m a fraud” or “I’m not smart enough”) and the memories or moments that reinforced them. By reprocessing these memories, EMDR helps shift your emotional and physiological responses and integrate more adaptive beliefs like I am competent or I belong here.
EMDR for Imposter Syndrome Can Help You:
• Heal from early experiences of shame or failure
• Reprocess performance-based trauma or academic/social pressures
• Challenge internalized messaging around self-worth
• Reduce anxiety and perfectionism
• Build a more grounded, integrated sense of confidence
What You Can Do Right Now
Even if you’re not in therapy yet, here are a few ways to begin shifting your relationship with imposter syndrome:
1. Name it without shame.
Recognize imposter syndrome as a pattern—not a personality trait.
2. Track your inner critic.
What does it say? Who does that voice sound like? When did you first hear it?
3. Keep a “reality file.”
Start saving emails, kind feedback, achievements, or anything that reflects your actual competence.
4. Practice receiving.
When someone compliments you, pause. Say thank you. Let it land—even if just for a second.
You Don’t Have to Prove Your Worth to Deserve Peace
You’re not a fraud. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to spend the rest of your life trying to earn rest, ease, or self-trust.
EMDR therapy can help you release the emotional weight of old stories and connect to the version of you that already belongs—without the overworking, the hiding, or the second-guessing.
I offer online EMDR therapy for women in Michigan, Missouri, Colorado, South Carolina, and Texas.
If you’re ready to stop questioning your worth and start feeling like yourself again, I’d love to support you.
Reach out today to learn more or schedule your first session today.