Imposter Syndrome
Imposter Syndrome occurs when the nervous system evaluates success, visibility, or responsibility as potential threats rather than achievements. Even competent individuals may experience a chronic disconnect between how others perceive them and how they perceive themselves. Praise is minimized, accomplishments feel accidental, and internal pressure to perform becomes constant.
At the identity layer, the individual may hold beliefs such as “I am not good enough,” “I am a failure,” or “I am incapable.” These identity-based interpretations override objective evidence of competence and create cycles of overworking, intellectualizing, self-silencing, or withdrawing from opportunities.
Imposter Syndrome is not a personality trait—it’s a patterned response shaped by earlier relational and environmental learning. In childhood or formative environments, achievement may have been tied to conditional approval, criticism, unpredictability, or unrealistic expectations. Over time, the nervous system equates competence with pressure, risk, or exposure, leading to a persistent fear of being revealed as inadequate.
Find a imposter syndrome therapist near you
Trusted By Alberta’s Leading Psychology & Mental Health Organizations
ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling is professionally regulated, certified, and recognized by leading psychology and mental-health organizations across Alberta and Canada. These associations reflect our commitment to ethical practice, clinical standards, and evidence-informed therapy through Identity-Level Therapy and Reconditioning.
Regulated and affiliated across Alberta’s leading psychology, counselling, and mental-health organizations.
