Imposter syndrome is a common experience felt by people across various professions, and Social Workers are no exception. Despite the profound impact on society, Social Workers often find themselves living with self-doubt, questioning their abilities, and feeling like imposters in their profession.
It doesn’t necessarily go away after years and years of experience either. For me, Imposter Syndrome shows up every time I change roles or start something new in my career. But, I have (finally) learned to accept its presence and allow myself the space to check in with myself about what I am needing to help get through it.
In this blog post, I will discuss the concept of imposter syndrome, shed some light on its underlying causes, and discuss effective strategies to overcome it.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome refers to an internalised fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of competence and accomplishments. It creates a belief that your success is a result of luck rather than your own skills and capabilities. It’s an inner voice that pops up when someone doesn’t go to plan, like ‘of course my client didn’t show up today, I’m a terrible therapist’ or ‘there’s no point in applying for the job, I’ll never stand a chance over’ (insert persons name here who has the same experience than you).
Sometimes Imposter Syndrome shows up when you receive an award or a compliment and you think ‘Oh god, why did I get this, they must have got it wrong, oh how embarrassing’….like all the hard work you actually did was nothing.
Social work is often viewed as a noble (yet emotionally demanding) profession that requires exceptional empathy, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Social Workers may internalise the weight of their responsibilities, constantly questioning if they are doing enough or making a significant difference. This self-imposed pressure and perfectionistic self standards further exacerbates imposter syndrome.
Not everyone has, or will, experience Imposter Syndrome. In fact, some people experience something quiet the opposite called the Dunning-Kruger Effect and some people don’t experience either (yay, if this is you).
There are so many perspectives about Imposter Syndrome, in fact there are some professionals refuse to believe in the concept of Imposter Syndrome at all. The reasoning behind this is because Imposter Syndrome can been seen as a reason that people get in their own way when it comes to achieving their goals. Like, ‘Oh I can’t start a business, I have no skills in that area, what would I know about that as a Social Worker’.
Whilst I can understand this point of view, given Imposter Syndrome does take up a lot of space in our minds, when that space could be filled with something more useful….I still believe in its existence.
However, we don’t necessarily need to make Imposter Syndrome a completely negative thing. It could be viewed as something to notice and understand so we can respond to it effectively. Imposter Syndrome could just be our survival brain trying to protect us.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
So, now that you have a little idea of Imposter Syndrome, let’s take a look at five ways that we can overcome, or work through, Imposter Syndrome when it arises…because lets be honest, for some of us – it’s a matter of when, not if!
1. Recognise and Normalise
The first step in working through Imposter Syndrome is recognising its presence and acknowledging that it is a common experience….because it is, I swear!
Understanding that many accomplished individuals have similar doubts can alleviate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of solidarity.
Think of some of the famous, intelligent people in history – they experienced imposter syndrome too. It’s not just you and if you ask your supervisor – they may tell you they have experienced it too.
2. Challenge Negative Self-Talk
Imposter syndrome thrives on negative self-talk and self-doubt….hello friend (sigh).
The next time you catch yourself in the midst of self doubt, try replacing these with positive affirmations and remind yourself of your achievements, skills, and expertise. Yes, I know you may be laughing at the thought of this, but there’s no harm in giving a try, just once, even a tiny bit?
I once listened to a key note speaker who said that they make notes of all the times a client has thanked them, or any time they accomplished something difficult. Even noting the ‘small wins’ helps, embracing self-compassion and celebrating your successes, no matter how small they may seem.
Do you use CBT in your therapy sessions if you are a counsellor? Think of the ‘thought challenge’ exercises, do you have any evidence to support your feelings of being an imposter?
3. Seek Support and Mentoring
Engage in open conversations with trusted colleagues, mentors, supervisors or coaches who can provide guidance and support.
Sharing your concerns and experiences with others can help gain perspective, receive validation, and realise that you are not alone in your struggles.
I was honestly shocked when my supervisor told me that she still feels Imposter Syndrome…because, you know, 30 something years of being a Social Worker, having a reputable private practice, and only positive feedback from clients means that you MUST be an imposter, right? Wrong…obviously.
Click here if you are looking for online supervision, mentoring or coaching. I love supporting other women in the helping profession to see their true worth.
4. Embrace Professional Development
Continuous learning and professional development can help boost confidence and enhance competence. Seek out workshops, conferences, and training opportunities that align with your interests and goals. By expanding your knowledge and skills, you will be able to work on reinforcing your sense of expertise and competence.
Professional development also helps to remind you that you do not know everything there is to know about social work, case work, therapy, etc and that is ok, because no-one does! It is normal not to know everything and those of us in the helping profession are continuously learning throughout our careers.
One thing I will say though, please don’t feel that you have to engage in training for every little thing you do in your career. You don’t need a Bachelors degree in Business to start a career in private practice. Nor do you need to have been taught every single therapeutic approach to be a counsellor. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE professional development, I am always enrolled in one course or another to enhance my skills…but the feeling of being an Imposter does not fade when the paper qualification is sitting in my inbox.
5. Build a Supportive Network
Surround yourself with a supportive network of fellow social workers, psychologists (or similar professions), who understand the challenges you face. It’s not just uncommon for Social Workers, Psychologists, people with social science, human services or welfare qualifications, mental health, youth work and disability workers to experience Imposter Syndrome.
Connect through professional associations, online communities, or local support groups. Sharing experiences, insights, and advice with like-minded individuals can foster resilience and help us to combat Imposter Syndrome.
I find this can be helpful when we don’t feel safe enough within our jobs to speak with managers about our feelings. I will always encourage you to speak with your manager about your feelings of imposter syndrome, but for those that choose not to do this, there are a lot of online groups to help you.
Final thoughts
When Imposter syndrome takes over, it can hinder professional and personal growth. It can limit our potential and impacting our overall well-being. However, for some of us – experiencing Imposter Syndrome may actually help in creating the success we want in our careers. It can be part of the driving force that keeps us motivated and goal driven.
By understanding the underlying causes of Imposter Syndrome and implementing strategies to overcome self-doubts, we can rise above and embrace our true capabilities.
So next time you hear the dreaded Imposter Syndrome knocking, take a moment to pause and remember – this is normal, you are one of many people that feel this and you know what to do to help yourself to overcome it.
