One tell-tale sign of Imposter Syndrome is over-preparation.
I remember being a new counselor and spending hours writing intake and progress notes. I laugh about it now because, truthfully, each note didn’t—and still doesn’t—require the level of detail I poured into it. It was like writing a dissertation every time I saw a client. After submitting the note, I’d hold my breath, anticipating “imaginary” feedback I believed would be critical, convinced the note was poorly written.

For those of us who struggle with Imposter Syndrome, good is never good enough. And that’s when the endless revisions begin—driven by the belief that we’ve made countless mistakes. This constant self-questioning and doubt about our work keeps us stuck and paralyzed.

If you can relate to over-preparing—even though you have a history of exemplary work—give me a call today. I want to help you move past the mental blocks that arise when you question the quality of your own work.