Am I a good therapist?: Dealing with Impostor Syndrome in the Therapy Room

‘Am I capable of offering support to my clients?’

‘Are they even benefitting from the work that I do?’

‘What if I am not doing something right?’

‘What if I am not a good enough therapist?’

‘Do I deserve the money I charge?’

As an early-career therapist, you may often have feelings of confusion, self - doubt, fear and anxiety. You may not be sure if the knowledge gained from formal university education equips you with all the skill sets. You may also be confused about which additional certification course to pursue owing to the plenty of choices out there. And at the end of it all, you wish to provide the best care and ethical services to your client. All of these systemic issues intensify self-doubt and confusion, and may lead to the experience of imposter syndrome.

Impostor Syndrome, or the impostor phenomenon, was first described by Suzanne Imes, Ph.D., and Pauline Rose Clance, Ph.D., in 1978. According to them, impostor syndrome can be identified when individuals experience anxiety, self-doubt, and hesitation of being exposed as a fraud, which ultimately hinders their performance at work. While it is natural to not feel confident about yourself in the initial years, it is essential to address the impostor syndrome, as its cumulative impact will affect your ability to be present for the client.

Here are some ways to manage difficult thoughts and emotions associated with imposter syndrome.

Address imposter thoughts with compassion

Take a couple of deep breaths to soothe yourself when you experience fear or anxiety. Identify the thoughts and emotions running in your mind:

● Am I trained enough?

● Other therapists are much better.

● Am I using the right therapeutic approach?

And reframe them into statements of care and compassion each time such as:

● I am learning, and it's ok to make mistakes.

● Other therapists, my colleagues or my seniors, may also make mistakes and learn from them.

● I am using the best available resources and techniques that I can offer my client right now, and time will let me know if I need to change my approach.

Identify situations when you experience self-doubt

Reflect and think about specific scenarios in which intense feelings of inadequacy are felt the most.

Does it happen more when you are working with clients way older to you?

Or with a new concern you haven’t addressed before?

Or do you usually feel stuck after you have completed the first few sessions with clients.

This will help you identify some of your knowledge and skill gaps and you can discuss them in supervision.

Practice listing down your skills and gaps

While it is important to be aware of your knowledge and skill gaps, it is also important to be aware of your strengths and skills. Regularly journal some of the skills you have learnt in your Masters, in supervision or in any other additional training programmes you have invested in. Acknowledge the work you do in sessions and how your client is benefitting from it. Remember, that even offering a non-judgemental, safe space, makes a lot of difference to clients.

Ask yourself: Do I usually doubt myself in other situations as well?

If you go through these thoughts repeatedly, you may wish to reflect if you experience similar thoughts of self- doubt and inadequacy in other situations as well:

● Do I expect myself to be perfect in other situations as well?

● Do I usually find it difficult to acknowledge my efforts and strengths?

● Do I usually judge myself very harshly when I make mistakes?

After answering these questions, you may become aware of redundant thought patterns or beliefs, holding you back. Make a note of these challenges and discuss them in therapy sessions.

Accept mistakes as a learning opportunity

Despite overcoming negative thought patterns and gaining the relevant skill sets, it is essential to remember that you will still make mistakes. And you need to be mindful to not let your mistakes shape your perception of your abilities as a therapist. Mistakes are always a part of your learning journey in the therapy space. It is often helpful to reflect on them and decide what you can do better the next time. Additionally, taking support whenever required will help you manage your similar situations better in future.

Accepting support from the therapist community

While working on your own emotions, as an early career therapist, it is essential to remember that you are not alone. There are many therapists out there who are sailing in the same boat as you. In such situations, it is helpful to share your challenges with other therapists with similar experiences, and jointly find ways to address the common issues that are experienced.

While the impostor syndrome can prove to be very exhausting, understanding that it is a natural emotion often experienced by the larger therapeutic community, might help you sail through it, feeling resilient. By regularly seeking therapy, peer support and investing time in training and supervision, whenever needed, you as a therapist will flourish.

At Raah, we offer supervision and training to Early Career Therapists and help them bridge their knowledge and skill gaps. By seeking supervision regularly at Raah, you can also become a part of Raah’s Networking Community: a space where you can discuss your challenges with Early Career Therapists across India. To know more, write to us: contact@raahbyprerna.com