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A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions

Received: 18 December 2021    Accepted: 11 January 2022    Published: 18 January 2022
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Abstract

Background: Impostor syndrome or impostor phenomenon relates to the difficulty in internalizing success due to feelings of being phony or inauthentic, despite having evidence of the contrary. It is an insidious and pervasive condition that is exacerbated in professional settings, and negatively impacts the mental health and psychological functioning of individuals and across populations. Multiple comorbidities include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, somatic symptoms and social dysfunction, as well as decreased job satisfaction and performance. Gap: To date, no clear treatment guidelines or specific recommendations exist to treat impostor syndrome, and effective interventions are urgently needed. Objective: To address this treatment deficiency by integrating the Immunity to Change learning process and Schema Therapy into a unified framework. Methodology: This qualitative paper draws on the relevant extant literature, takes a scientist-practitioner stance, and uses a mini-case study that incorporates a client-therapist vignette to illustrate the model’s protocol and operationalization. Results: A transdiagnostic, pragmatic model and protocol for short-term individual psychotherapy, to generate rapid change for clients to achieve their goals. Conclusion: This model will benefit psychologists practicing in organizational settings, and those working in career development or with student populations, busy professionals, and high-performing executives, who often experience impostor syndrome.

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13
Page(s) 17-27
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Immunity to Change, Competing Commitment, Schema Therapy, Impostor Syndrome

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Sebastian Salicru. (2022). A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 11(1), 17-27. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13

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    ACS Style

    Sebastian Salicru. A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2022, 11(1), 17-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13

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    AMA Style

    Sebastian Salicru. A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions. Am J Appl Psychol. 2022;11(1):17-27. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13,
      author = {Sebastian Salicru},
      title = {A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions},
      journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
      volume = {11},
      number = {1},
      pages = {17-27},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20221101.13},
      abstract = {Background: Impostor syndrome or impostor phenomenon relates to the difficulty in internalizing success due to feelings of being phony or inauthentic, despite having evidence of the contrary. It is an insidious and pervasive condition that is exacerbated in professional settings, and negatively impacts the mental health and psychological functioning of individuals and across populations. Multiple comorbidities include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, somatic symptoms and social dysfunction, as well as decreased job satisfaction and performance. Gap: To date, no clear treatment guidelines or specific recommendations exist to treat impostor syndrome, and effective interventions are urgently needed. Objective: To address this treatment deficiency by integrating the Immunity to Change learning process and Schema Therapy into a unified framework. Methodology: This qualitative paper draws on the relevant extant literature, takes a scientist-practitioner stance, and uses a mini-case study that incorporates a client-therapist vignette to illustrate the model’s protocol and operationalization. Results: A transdiagnostic, pragmatic model and protocol for short-term individual psychotherapy, to generate rapid change for clients to achieve their goals. Conclusion: This model will benefit psychologists practicing in organizational settings, and those working in career development or with student populations, busy professionals, and high-performing executives, who often experience impostor syndrome.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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    T1  - A New Model to Treat Impostor Syndrome and Associated Conditions
    AU  - Sebastian Salicru
    Y1  - 2022/01/18
    PY  - 2022
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20221101.13
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    T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
    JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
    JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
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    EP  - 27
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    AB  - Background: Impostor syndrome or impostor phenomenon relates to the difficulty in internalizing success due to feelings of being phony or inauthentic, despite having evidence of the contrary. It is an insidious and pervasive condition that is exacerbated in professional settings, and negatively impacts the mental health and psychological functioning of individuals and across populations. Multiple comorbidities include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, burnout, somatic symptoms and social dysfunction, as well as decreased job satisfaction and performance. Gap: To date, no clear treatment guidelines or specific recommendations exist to treat impostor syndrome, and effective interventions are urgently needed. Objective: To address this treatment deficiency by integrating the Immunity to Change learning process and Schema Therapy into a unified framework. Methodology: This qualitative paper draws on the relevant extant literature, takes a scientist-practitioner stance, and uses a mini-case study that incorporates a client-therapist vignette to illustrate the model’s protocol and operationalization. Results: A transdiagnostic, pragmatic model and protocol for short-term individual psychotherapy, to generate rapid change for clients to achieve their goals. Conclusion: This model will benefit psychologists practicing in organizational settings, and those working in career development or with student populations, busy professionals, and high-performing executives, who often experience impostor syndrome.
    VL  - 11
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  • Private Practice, PTS Psychology, Canberra, Australia

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