Will therapy make me less driven?

Here's what I've seen: the opposite happens. Imposter syndrome is exhausting—you're spending mental energy on catastrophic thinking instead of actual work. When you stop fighting the 'fraud' thoughts, that energy gets redirected into things that matter.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME THERAPY

Imposter Syndrome Therapy for Ambitious Professionals

You're successful. That's not the problem. The problem is the voice that says "they're going to figure out I don't belong here." That voice isn't truth—it's a pattern. And patterns can change.

Stop Feeling Like a Fraud Call (416) 306-2157

✓ CRPO #10979 ✓ $175/session ✓ Same-Week Available ✓ Insurance Receipts

70% Experience This

Imposter syndrome affects most professionals. You're not uniquely flawed—you have a common pattern.

Success Makes It Worse

Each achievement raises the stakes. ACT helps you take action even when self-doubt is loud.

For Ambitious Minds

Tech, finance, consulting, healthcare—industries where imposter syndrome thrives.

Virtual & Confidential

No risk of running into colleagues. Sessions from wherever you feel comfortable.

Last Updated: December 23, 2025 | Reviewed by: Jesse Cynamon, RP (CRPO #10979)

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern where high-achieving individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a "fraud" despite objective evidence of their competence. First identified by psychologists Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes in 1978, research shows approximately 70% of professionals experience imposter feelings at some point in their careers. Unlike low self-esteem, imposter syndrome often intensifies with success—each achievement raises the stakes of potential "exposure." Evidence-based therapy using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) helps individuals change their relationship with self-doubt rather than trying to eliminate it.

Imposter Syndrome: The Research

70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point

Higher rates in high-achievers, first-gen professionals, and career changers

Correlates with perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and burnout

Intensifies with success—each promotion raises the stakes of "exposure"

Sources: Journal of Behavioral Science, American Psychological Association, Clance & Imes (1978)

Who Experiences Imposter Syndrome?

New Managers & Executives

Promoted into leadership but convinced the promotion was a mistake. Every decision feels like an opportunity for exposure.

Tech Professionals

Working in rapidly changing fields where there's always more to learn. The "expert" trap is constant.

First-Generation Professionals

First in your family to attend university or enter a corporate career. You don't have role models who "look like you."

Career Changers

Starting over in a new field and feeling like everyone else has a head start you'll never catch.

Do These Thoughts Sound Familiar?

"I'm a fraud and everyone will find out." Despite promotions, positive reviews, and clear evidence of competence, you're convinced you've somehow fooled everyone.
"I just got lucky." You attribute your success to timing, luck, or other people—never to your actual skills and hard work.
"I can't ask questions—they'll think I'm stupid." You stay silent in meetings, afraid that asking for clarification will expose your "incompetence."
"Everyone else seems so confident." You compare your internal anxiety to everyone else's external confidence.
"Do I even deserve this promotion?" Career advancement triggers panic instead of celebration.
"I need to work twice as hard to prove myself." You overwork to compensate, leading to burnout while peers seem to coast.

These aren't character flaws. They're learned patterns—and therapy can help you unlearn them.

What Imposter Syndrome Actually Is

Imposter syndrome is a persistent pattern of doubting your accomplishments and having an internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud"—despite clear, objective evidence of your competence.

It's not about lacking confidence in general. You might feel confident in your personal life, hobbies, or relationships. But in your professional identity, there's this gnawing sense that you don't really belong.

 Key Characteristics:
 Discounting evidence: External validation doesn't change how you feel internally
Attribution error: Success = luck. Failure = proof you're incompetent
Fear of exposure: Persistent anxiety that people will "find out"
Overworking: Working excessively to prevent being "discovered"
Perfectionism: Impossibly high standards, then feeling like a failure

 

Imposter syndrome is not a reflection of your actual competence. It's often a sign that you're holding yourself to unrealistically high standards.

Why High Achievers Experience It More Intensely

Here's the paradox: high achievers often experience imposter syndrome more intensely than others.

1. Higher Stakes = Higher Anxiety

The more you've achieved, the more you have to "lose" if people "find out." Every new level of responsibility brings new opportunities for exposure.

2. You're in Rooms with Other High Achievers

When you're surrounded by accomplished people, you see their strengths and your weaknesses. You forget they're doing the same thing.

3. The Expectations Keep Rising

Early in your career, expectations were clear. Now you're expected to lead, make strategic decisions, be an expert. The bar keeps moving.

4. You've Internalized "Never Enough" Messages

High achievers often grew up in environments where love or approval felt conditional on performance. Even when you've "made it," the internal voice still says: "You need to do more."

The Result: Your success doesn't bring relief—it brings more pressure. Therapy helps you break this cycle and build confidence that isn't dependent on constant achievement.

Ready to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud?

Schedule a 15-minute consultation to discuss how ACT therapy can help you build genuine confidence.

Call (416) 306-2157 Book Online

The 5 Types of Imposter Syndrome

Dr. Valerie Young identified five common subtypes. You might see yourself in multiple categories:

1. The Perfectionist

Core belief: "If it's not perfect, I've failed." You set impossibly high standards and focus on what you didn't do. Common in: high-achieving students, consultants, detail-oriented roles.

2. The Expert

Core belief: "I need to know everything before I'm qualified." If there's something you don't know, you feel like a fraud. Common in: tech professionals, academics, rapidly changing fields.

3. The Natural Genius

Core belief: "If I have to work hard, I'm not really good at this." When you struggle, you interpret it as proof you don't belong. Common in: people who were "gifted" kids.

4. The Soloist

Core belief: "I need to do it alone, or it doesn't count." Asking for help feels like evidence you're not capable. Common in: entrepreneurs, competitive environments.

5. The Superhuman

Core belief: "I need to excel in every role simultaneously." You push yourself to be the best at everything. Anything less feels like failure. Common in: working parents, first-gen professionals.

Recognizing your pattern is the first step. Therapy helps you understand where these beliefs came from and build more sustainable standards.

How ACT Therapy Specifically Helps

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is particularly effective for imposter syndrome because it addresses both the internal experience and behavioral patterns.

Why Traditional "Confidence Building" Often Doesn't Work

You've probably tried reminding yourself of accomplishments, positive affirmations, seeking more validation, working harder. The problem: these try to eliminate self-doubt. ACT helps you change your relationship with self-doubt.

 What ACT Therapy Looks Like:
 Defusion: Learning to see "I'm a fraud" as a thought—not a fact. Small shift, big impact.
Acceptance: Making room for uncertainty as part of growth, not evidence of incompetence.
Values Clarification: Reconnecting with what actually matters beyond "not being exposed."
Committed Action: Taking values-aligned action even when imposter thoughts are loud.
Self-as-Context: You're not "an imposter"—you're a person having imposter thoughts.

 

What Changes in Therapy

You stop waiting to "feel ready" before taking opportunities
You can accept compliments without discounting them
You set realistic standards instead of perfectionistic ones
You ask questions and admit uncertainty without shame
You celebrate wins instead of immediately moving to the next goal
You work sustainably instead of overworking to compensate

The goal isn't to eliminate self-doubt completely. It's to stop letting self-doubt make your career decisions for you.

Meet Jesse Cynamon, RP - Your Therapist

I'm Jesse Cynamon, a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO #10979). I focus on helping ambitious professionals develop a healthier relationship with self-doubt using evidence-based approaches like ACT.

Why I Work with Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome often affects some of the most capable, thoughtful people—individuals who care deeply about their work and hold themselves to high standards. What makes this work meaningful is witnessing the relief when someone learns they don't need to eliminate doubt to live well; they just need to change their relationship with it.

Professional Background

Master's degree in counseling psychology
Licensed Registered Psychotherapist with CRPO (#10979)
Specialized training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Experience with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focus on professionals, students, and career transitions

Who Experiences Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome doesn't discriminate by achievement level—in fact, success often makes it worse. Here are common groups where imposter syndrome is particularly prevalent:

First-Generation Professionals

If you're the first in your family to enter a particular profession or reach a certain level of success, you may feel like you don't have the "background" or cultural knowledge that others seem to have naturally. You're building the playbook as you go, which can feel like constant improvisation.

Career Changers

Switching industries or roles means starting over in some ways, even if you bring valuable transferable skills. The learning curve can feel like evidence that you "don't belong" rather than a normal part of transition.

New Managers and Leaders

The first time you're responsible for other people's work, careers, or livelihoods can trigger intense imposter feelings. "Who am I to give feedback or make these decisions?" is a common internal refrain.

Graduate Students and Early Academics

The transition from being a student to being expected to contribute original ideas creates fertile ground for imposter syndrome. Surrounded by experts, you may feel like you're the only one who doesn't belong.

Tech Professionals

The rapid pace of change in technology means there's always something you don't know. Imposter syndrome thrives in environments where learning never stops and "keeping up" feels impossible.

Creative Professionals

When your work is subjective and open to criticism, imposter syndrome can make every project feel like the one that will "expose" you. Rejection can feel like confirmation of your worst fears.

High Achievers in Any Field

Paradoxically, the more you achieve, the more opportunities there are for imposter syndrome. Each new level brings new expectations, new peers, and new ways to feel inadequate.

What Imposter Syndrome Therapy Actually Looks Like

You might be wondering what happens in therapy for imposter syndrome. Here's a realistic picture of the process:

Initial Consultation (15 minutes, free)

A brief video call to discuss what you're experiencing and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment—just a conversation. I'll ask about when imposter syndrome shows up, how it's affecting your work, and what you're hoping to change.

First Full Session: Understanding Your Pattern

We'll map out your specific imposter syndrome experience: What triggers it? What thoughts show up? What behaviors result? You'll leave with at least one practical tool to use immediately—no waiting weeks for "insight" before action.

Building Your Toolkit (Sessions 2-8)

This is where we develop and practice specific techniques:

Defusion exercises: Learning to observe "I'm a fraud" as a thought rather than a fact
Values clarification: Reconnecting with what actually matters beyond avoiding "exposure"
Behavioral experiments: Testing what happens when you act despite imposter thoughts
Attribution retraining: Learning to own your successes appropriately
Self-compassion practices: Treating yourself with the kindness you'd show a friend

Integration and Consolidation (Sessions 9-16)

We'll apply these skills to real situations in your professional life. This might include preparing for a presentation, navigating a promotion, or handling a difficult conversation. The goal is confidence that's sustainable—not dependent on constant achievement.

Maintenance and Prevention

Before we end our work together, we'll create a plan for maintaining progress and handling future triggers. Imposter syndrome often resurfaces during transitions, so you'll have strategies ready for when (not if) it shows up again.

Practical Details

Virtual Therapy That Fits Your Schedule

As a busy professional, adding therapy to your schedule might feel like one more thing. Virtual sessions eliminate barriers:

No commute: Sessions fit into your lunch break or between meetings
Location flexibility: At home, your office, or anywhere private in Ontario
Evening availability: Sessions outside traditional business hours
Privacy: No risk of running into colleagues in a waiting room
Consistent access: Work travel or weather doesn't interrupt your progress

Insurance & Payment

Many professionals have excellent mental health benefits through their employer. Most plans cover registered psychotherapists.

Session fee: $175 per 50-minute session
Coverage: Many plans cover Registered Psychotherapist services
Receipts: Detailed receipts provided for insurance claims
Provider type: Look for "Registered Psychotherapist" or "CRPO" coverage

What If I Can't Commit to Regular Sessions?

Life happens. While weekly sessions are ideal, we can work with biweekly or flexible scheduling. What matters is consistent effort over time, not perfect attendance.

You Don't Have to Keep Feeling Like a Fraud

Your success is real. Your qualifications are legitimate. Therapy helps you finally believe what everyone else already sees.

Book Your First Session Call (416) 306-2157

CRPO Registered Psychotherapist #10979 | Serving All of Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions

What is imposter syndrome?

Here's what I've seen: imposter syndrome is a persistent pattern of doubting your accomplishments despite clear evidence of competence. About 70% of professionals experience it. The paradox is that success often makes it worse—each achievement raises the stakes of potential "exposure."

Can therapy really help with imposter syndrome?

Yes. The goal isn't to eliminate self-doubt—that's not realistic. The goal is to stop letting self-doubt make your career decisions for you. ACT therapy helps you change your relationship with the "fraud" thoughts so you can take action even when they're loud.

How long does therapy take?

Here's what I've seen: most professionals notice shifts within a few sessions—not because the thoughts disappear, but because you're relating to them differently. Deeper changes usually happen over 12-16 sessions. We start practical from session one.

Is imposter syndrome more common in certain industries?

Yes. It's especially prevalent in tech, consulting, finance, and creative fields. First-generation professionals and career changers also experience it at higher rates.

What if I'm too busy for therapy?

Virtual therapy is designed for busy professionals. 50-minute sessions can happen during lunch, between meetings, or outside business hours. No commute required.

Does insurance cover therapy for imposter syndrome?

Many health plans cover registered psychotherapists. Check your benefits for "Registered Psychotherapist" or "CRPO" coverage to confirm.

What happens in the first session?

We'll discuss your specific experience—when imposter syndrome shows up, how it affects your decisions. You'll leave with at least one practical strategy you can use immediately.