Sharon Belshaw is the CEO of Clinical of Break the Silence, a charity working with people who have experienced sexual trauma. She also has a private practice working with not only people who have experienced trauma but a variety of issues. She works with adolescents and adults and is studying for her Doctorate in Psychological Trauma.
Imposter syndrome, characterized by feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, affects people in various fields, including therapists. Despite a common misconception that therapists have it all figured out, they too can struggle with these feelings, whether they're newly qualified or seasoned professionals facing new challenges.
What is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome can best be described as feelings of being inadequate, self-doubt and that you don’t belong and often that you will be found out to be a fraud. This can be debilitating and can prevent people from progressing at work or challenging themselves to try new things. In some cases, it can interfere with the work someone is expected to do.
Therapists and imposter syndrome
There can be a common misconception that as therapists, we somehow have sorted through all our issues and would have no reason to have imposter syndrome. However, the wonderful Sam Crapnell states "As counsellors, we may be working with the client who is experiencing imposter syndrome or has imposter parts. At the same time, we may be trying to work with ours."
Not only would it be newly qualified therapists experiencing Imposter syndrome, but seasoned therapists who have lost confidence or have doubts of their skills and knowledge, especially if they find they are working with particular client issues they haven’t before or a particular client group, such as adolescents when they have more experience with adults.
If you recognise it, what can be done?
It would be helpful to discuss with your clinical supervisor and if appropriate, your line manager if you are feeling this way, explore the challenges and where you can start to develop and work through your doubts and grow your confidence.
Recognise it can be something positive, you can grow from this, or as Sam Crapnell describes the positives as "Although it might not feel like it, our imposter syndrome is probably bringing us some positive payoffs such as a focus on high quality, having a good reputation for reliability, or enabling us to grow in our roles."
Learning about Imposter syndrome can help you identify that with these feelings, you are not alone. It is estimated that 25-30% of high achievers can experience this and in the course of your lifetime, it is believed that 70% of the population will have at least once, experienced this. If we talk about it to others and use it as a growth, we can overcome it.
For therapists, experienced and new qualified there is a very informative online course that is free on this website Courses | Training Counsellors (training-for-counsellors.co.uk)
Read more from Sharon Belshaw
Sharon Belshaw, CEO-Clinical of Break the Silence
Sharon Belshaw CEO-Clinical of Break the Silence and Psychotherapist, works with people who have experienced trauma, loss and anxiety. She also supports staff who have experienced vicarious trauma through their work. She has written and published articles on autism and sexual abuse awareness for parents, supporting vulnerable women in maternity services and sexual abuse awareness.
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