Imposter Syndrome is something many early career psychologists struggle with. It’s that nagging feeling that you’re not good enough, that your success is undeserved, and that at any moment, you’ll be exposed as a fraud. What many psychologists don’t realise is that Imposter Syndrome can impact both professional performance and mental well-being. In this article, we will discuss practical strategies to manage Imposter Syndrome as an early career psychologist.
Recognising Imposter Syndrome as an Early Career Psychologist: Is It Self-Doubt or a Real Skills Gap?
The first step in managing Imposter Syndrome is recognising when it’s happening. It’s important to differentiate between self-doubt and a genuine skills gap.
💡 Ask yourself:
✔ Am I expecting perfection from myself?
✔ Is this self-doubt based on evidence, or is it a thinking pattern I’ve fallen into?
✔ Would I judge a colleague as harshly as I’m judging myself?
✔ Are there skills I genuinely need to develop, and if so, how can I improve them?
Sometimes, your doubts may be highlighting an actual skills gap—which is completely normal in the early stages of your career. Instead of letting self-doubt overwhelm you, focus on solutions:
✔ Seek further supervision or training in areas where you feel less confident.
✔ Remind yourself that no psychologist knows everything—growth is continuous.
✔ Adjust your expectations to match where you are in your career—learning takes time. Catching and Challenging Imposter Thoughts
Imposter thoughts can be incredibly damaging, leading to anxiety, procrastination, or even burnout.
🔎 Notice when these thoughts arise:
❌ “I’m not qualified enough.”
❌ “Other psychologists know way more than I do.”
❌ “I don’t deserve to be here.”
💡 Instead of accepting these thoughts, try reframing them:
✅ “I am still learning, and that’s okay.”
✅ “Even experienced psychologists still encounter challenges.”
✅ “I worked hard to get here, and I deserve my place.”
If your thoughts feel overwhelming, consider external support through supervision, peer consultation, or therapy.
Focusing on Achievements Instead of Doubts
Keep track of your successes! It’s easy to dismiss achievements when Imposter Syndrome is present. To counteract this:
✔ Keep a journal of professional milestones, client successes, and positive feedback.
✔ Save emails or messages from supervisors or others that acknowledge your impact.
✔ Reflect on your journey—how far have you come since your first day of training?
💡 Tip: When self-doubt creeps in, revisit your list of accomplishments to remind yourself of your growth and progress.
Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Failure is not proof that you don’t belong—it’s a natural part of learning. Early career psychologists sometimes fear making mistakes, but errors provide valuable opportunities for growth.
✔ Instead of avoiding challenges, lean into them with curiosity.
✔ Reflect on mistakes without judgment—what can you learn from this experience?
✔ Normalise seeking support when needed—supervisors, mentors, and colleagues have all been in your position before.
💡 Remember: Even the most experienced psychologists make mistakes. Growth comes from learning, adapting, and refining your skills over time.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Here
Imposter Syndrome is common, but it doesn’t define your abilities. Over time, you can shift from self-doubt to self-trust by:
✅ Recognising when Imposter Syndrome is at play.
✅ Responding to yourself in adaptive ways.
✅ Seeking supervision and training when needed.
✅ Focusing on progress rather than perfection.
✅ Embracing mistakes as part of professional growth.
You worked hard to get where you are—your success is not an accident.
Looking for Support as an Early Career Psychologist?
You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone! Join my online community for early career psychologists, where we discuss topics like Imposter Syndrome, clinical skills, supervision, and more.