Online Imposter Syndrome Counselling: Understanding It Through A Clinical Psychology Lens

Do you feel that you constantly doubt yourself, believe that your success is not deserved, and that you are a fraud, even with external evidence of success and achievement? This article is for you, then.

First thing to know is this is not a peculiar trait or idiosyncrasy you have; it is a well-studied psychological experience.

Today I will guide you to the understanding of this imposter phenomenon, its types, consequences and outline evidence-based ways to address it.

Online Imposter Syndrome Counselling: What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes were the first psychologists, back in 1978, to describe this internal experience observed mostly in high-achieving individuals, which later on, with further research, was generalised to all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. This phenomenon observed was characterised by a sense of feeling like a fraud, with the fear of “when will they be found out”, despite clear objective evidence of their competence.

Professional online imposter syndrome counselling uses evidence-based approaches to address these patterns at their root.

This syndrome is not recognised as a formal psychiatric disorder in the ICD-10 or DSM-5, despite the extensive research and acknowledgement as a significant behavioural mental health issue with specific clinical features:

1. Difficulty internalising success
2. Negative attributional style: attributing success only to external factors such as luck or help from others. This cognitive bias reinforces the feelings of inadequacy.
3. Fear of failure or being exposed/found out.
4. Perfectionism: A drive to meet unrealistically high standards, often accompanied by chronic dissatisfaction with one’s own performance.
5. Vicious cycle: by wavering between over-preparation and procrastination in response to achievement-related tasks, individuals end with only temporary relief followed by renewed self-doubt.

Recent neuroimaging studies suggest that brain regions such as the amygdala (involved in fear processing) and the medial prefrontal cortex (linked to self-referential thinking) are activated during imposter-related thought patterns, reinforcing the emotional intensity of these experiences.

How common is this? – Prevalence, comorbidity and demographics

Imposter Syndrome is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism and low self-esteem. It seems understandable that the negative impacts this syndrome can have in most or even all areas of an individual’s global level of functioning, for instance: difficulty accepting praise and support (which can strain personal and professional relationships) and lower job satisfaction, reduced performance, and hindered career progression due to self-doubt and reluctance to pursue opportunities.

Research suggests that 82% of people have experienced it at some point in their lives, although it is more commonly observed among students, early-career professionals and people in high-pressure or competitive environments. Studies highlight higher rates among marginalised groups, such as women in male-dominated fields and ethnic minorities, likely due to social and institutional factors that amplify feelings of difference and exclusion.

Is Imposter Syndrome all the same, or can it present with different patterns?

There are five subtypes to categorise this syndrome, based on specific thoughts and behaviour patterns. However, these types often overlap but can provide useful frameworks for identifying personal triggers.

1. The Perfectionist: Sets excessively high goals. Feels like a failure when even minor mistakes occur. Equates competence with flawlessness.
2. The Expert: Measures self-worth by how much they know or can do. Believes they must know everything before starting a task. Avoids opportunities unless fully qualified.
3. The Soloist: Feels asking for help signifies incompetence. Prefers to work alone to prove worth.
4. The Natural Genius: Believes competence should come effortlessly. Feels shame when having to work hard.
5. The Superperson: Pushes to work harder than others to prove value. Measures success by how much they can juggle.

What are the possible roots of this phenomenon?

Imposter syndrome can be motivated by a multifaceted relationship of psychological, social, and contextual factors:

• Early Family Dynamics: Families that label children as the “smart one” or “responsible one” may unintentionally foster unrealistic standards or fear of failure.
• Cultural and Societal Influences: Underrepresentation in academic or professional fields can intensify feelings of not belonging. This is especially true for women, people of colour, and first-generation professionals.
• Personality Traits: Perfectionism, neuroticism, and high trait anxiety are commonly associated with imposter feelings.
• Workplace Environments: Competitive, high-pressure settings with little feedback can perpetuate doubt and undervaluation.

How can Online imposter syndrome counselling help overcome this?

Although it may not be a diagnosable mental health disorder, imposter syndrome can be managed and significantly reduced through clinically supported methods:

• Psychoeducation – Learning about the phenomenon helps normalise it and reduce shame
• Identifying and challenging irrational beliefs – such as “I am only worthy if I am perfect”, reframing attributions and learning to internalise success.
• Mindfulness and Self-compassion – practice turning down the “auto-pilot” and bringing awareness to your day-to-day life. This will build up self-resilience and confidence to then experiment with reshaping internal narratives and beliefs, and to be kind and accepting of yourself.
• Being vulnerable and sharing with others: the antidote to shame – Sharing experiences with others can validate feelings and offer perspective, and help you to recognise that many successful people also struggle with self-doubt.
• Mentorship and Feedback at work – Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback from mentors can reshape internal narratives, foster adaptability, perseverance and self-assurance. Additionally, seeing others struggle and succeed offers a realistic model of growth
• Value-Based Goal Setting – move from perfectionism to meaningful progress aligned based on your true Self and core values in life, rather than validation from others.

These evidence-based strategies form the core of effective online imposter syndrome counselling, helping clients move toward authentic confidence.

The end goal… Moving toward authentic confidence and common humanity

Imposter syndrome is a deeply human experience rooted in fear, self-doubt, and perfectionistic ideals. However, by understanding its psychological foundations and applying scientifically supported interventions, individuals can learn to internalise their success and cultivate resilience. The goal is not to eliminate all self-doubt, but to stop it from defining our self-worth. Authentic confidence grows not from flawlessness, but from embracing growth, vulnerability, and evidence of our own competence.

This is the transformative power of online imposter syndrome counselling – shifting from self-doubt to common humanity.

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