Treatments
Imposter Syndrome Hypnosis
Hypnotherapy for Imposter Syndrome
I offer one to one imposter syndrome hypnosis sessions from my London based online hypnotherapy service. My area of specialism is helping people overcome anxiety, attachment issues, low self-esteem, childhood trauma and addictions, using inner child work and hypnotherapy. I offer a free 30 minute telephone consultation and you can find all the information about my fees and packages below.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a self-esteem issue often rooted in beliefs of not being good enough or fear of being found out as inadequate. It’s a form of self-doubt that lurks in the background and creeps up on you in high pressure moments or when you feel put on the spot.
It often shows up in people’s professional life, although it can affect how you feel in social situations too.
Have you ever been asked to speak in a meeting and suddenly felt exposed and like you have nothing good to say? You then spend the rest of the day worried that people think you’re terrible at your job and wonder why you’re there.
Or when meeting new people at parties you put on a front to be interesting or fun, believing if they see the “real you” they’ll lose interest and walk away.
These can be signs of imposter syndrome and low self-esteem at play.
Many people who experience imposter syndrome understand that they are skilled and talented people. In fact, according to a PubMed study, around 70% of people experience imposter syndrome of some kind.
Core beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough”, “I’m boring” or “I’m unloveable”, are not based in fact or logical understanding. They are emotional beliefs that are counter to the truth and even the best evidence against them doesn’t seem to make them shift.
And if left untreated, imposter syndrome can lead to burnout and chronic stress or anxiety.
This is where hypnotherapy for imposter syndrome can help, because it works at a deep subconscious level, where the problem lies.
Signs of Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome often shows up in moments where you feel pressured, exposed, on the spot or challenged to step out of your comfort zone. It is normal to have moments of self-doubt, especially when doing something new or that is important to you. However, people who experience imposter syndrome tend to have an irrational fear that they will somehow be found out as being a fraud, faking it or unworthy. They sometimes hold themselves back out of fear of failure or being judged, even when they know they can do the task at hand.
Some signs of imposter syndrome can include:
- Always feeling like other people know more or better than you do
- Feeling out of place or like you don’t belong, even when you’ve worked hard to get there
- Shrinking away from compliments or feeling like a fraud when noticed
- Worrying that you’re going to lose your job if you make small or reasonable mistakes
- Feeling like you need to go above and beyond so you don’t get “found out”
- Sudden crippling fear or freezing when you are asked to speak or challenge yourself
- Excessive worry about what people think about you and your performance
- Turning opportunities down out of fear of failure or feeling too exposed
- Intense panic or urges to run away when feeling out of your comfort zone
- Going blank even when you know the answer to a question or you’ve rehearsed your lines
- A general underlying fear that you’re not good enough, no matter how hard you try
What Causes Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a symptom of limiting core beliefs such as not being good enough, being unworthy, inadequate or defective. Like all self-esteem issues, the root cause often stems from childhood experiences or messaging you received. This doesn’t always mean that your parents were bad or abusive, although growing up in a dysfunctional family is highly linked to self-esteem issues.
However, even the most well meaning parents can communicate unhelpful messages that can lead to imposer syndrome. Some examples of causes of imposter syndrome include:
Limiting or Negative Messaging:
- Parents who negatively compared your achievements and abilities to your siblings’
- Being pushed too hard to focus on achievement and grades
- Parents who struggled with their own low self-worth and passed fears down to you
- Over esteeming the child in a way that makes them feel better than others or creates delusions of grandeur
- Parents who are overly harsh or critical about making mistakes
- Teachers or carers who humiliated or ridiculed you when you got things wrong or tried something new
- Being made to do things outside your comfort zone before you were ready and experiencing shame around failure
- Feeling judged, belittled or less than others
- Growing up in poverty or in a dysfunctional home
- Undiagnosed/unidentified neurodivergence, resulting in feeling “different”, “abnormal” or “weird”
Dysfunctional or Toxic Parenting:
- Shaming or criticising the child for getting things wrong
- Physically harming or punishing a child for making mistakes
- Forcing a child to do work or tasks that they’re too young for
- Restricting a child’s expression or from exploring their identity
- Putting the child down when they do something they enjoy
- Mocking a child in front of other people
- Neglecting, ignoring or dismissing a child’s needs
- Scapegoating or bullying a child
- Pushing a child too hard to achieve things in order to get recognition, success or validation from others
- Making a child responsible for things that they are not capable of doing – being a carer for example
- Gaslighting or denying a child’s reality and sense of self
- Lying or telling made up stories to confuse or worry a child
- Withholding love and affection or stonewalling a child
Who I help With Imposter Syndrome Hypnosis
I offer one to one online imposter syndrome hypnosis for adults from my London based hypnotherapy service. Online sessions allow you to access hypnotherapy from anywhere in the UK around the world.
People come to me for imposter syndrome hypnosis when:
- They’ve achieved a lot but still have a fear of failing
- Trying to prove their worth is leaving them feeling burned out
- Feeling panicky and anxious about things is affecting their mental health
- They know they deserve more but keep sabotaging themselves
- Anxiety or creeping dread is affecting their performance at work
- They know they are talented but can’t seem to excel in life
- People keep offering opportunities but they can’t find the courage to accept
- They want to know their true potential and enjoy success in life
You can book a free 30 minute telephone consultation so we can discuss your goals and see if we’re a good fit before working together.
Let’s start with a chat and see how I can help you on your journey to personal growth and freedom!
My Hypnotherapy Fees, Packages and Benefits
£135 p/h
I offer single sessions from £135 per hour. These sessions are perfect for ad hoc hypnosis therapy on a PAYG basis.
Packages From £255
I offer a range of packages from £255 for 2 sessions per month, and a range of other options to suit different budgets.
Free E-book and Audios
Sign up for any package and receive a free copy of my ebook, Heal Your Inner Child, including hypnosis audios.
Imposter Syndrome Hypnosis FAQ
How can hypnotherapy help imposter syndrome?
Hypnosis can help you overcome imposter syndrome by addressing limiting beliefs that stem from childhood. By helping to esteem the younger parts of you that absorbed negative messages, it is possible to let go of negative self beliefs and start believing in your true potential.
Will work for me if I don't have clear memories from childhood?
Yes, hypnotherapy can work even when you don’t remember the exact events that caused the issue or beliefs. One of the great things about cognitive hypnotherapy, is that it can help transform beliefs and outdated perspectives, by using your mind’s natural way of processing. You don’t need to be creative, imaginative or have clear memories, just an openness to exploring and a willingness to change.
Why choose hypnotherapy for imposter syndrome rather than talking therapy?
Imposter syndrome is usually linked to unconscious beliefs and past experiences. Many people find that talking about these kinds of issues can help them understand why they struggle, but it doesn’t help them shift it. Hypnotherapy works on a subconscious level, dealing with the root cause and not just trying to understand it. This can be deeply transformative and can achieve shifts in perspective that can take years in some talking therapies.
How many hypnotherapy sessions will I need for imposter syndrome?
The number of hypnotherapy sessions needed varies from person to person. It can also depend on the experiences that caused the issue. For many people, 3-6 sessions can be enough, whereas some may need longer. People with complex histories and trauma may need longer term treatment, from 12 sessions to several months.
I offer a free consultation so we can discuss your needs and create a plan that works for you.
