Find Your Voice: Anxiety Therapist Chicago IL on Imposter Syndrome
If you’re someone who's been struggling with imposter syndrome, I see you. As an anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL and a person of color (POC) myself, I’ve been in many spaces where I’ve felt uncomfortable speaking up, often criticizing and telling myself that I didn’t belong, whether that’s because there weren’t others who looked like me or their skillset/experience was more advanced (you know, well-known schools, more degrees, diverse experiences, etc.).
What I’ve come to realize (after being in therapy, too!) about myself is that I don’t need to compete with anyone else to share the same space. There’s no point in staying silent because I have great ideas too! As an anxiety therapist in Chicago, I also see how common these feelings are—and how important it is to remind ourselves that we do belong. So, if you’re feeling a similar way, I hope this blog helps reassure you that you DO belong in those spaces and provides some tips you can try when the experience of being an imposter inevitably shows up.
What Is Imposter Syndrome? An Anxiety Therapist in Chicago Explains
Imposter syndrome is an experience where you feel that you don’t belong in spaces or that you’ll be seen as a fraud by others, despite all of the time you’ve been developing the skills and expertise that demonstrate what you are fully capable of. In other words, it’s an uncomfortable experience where you feel and/or believe that you’re not good enough or know enough.
Why Imposter Syndrome Keeps You Silent at Work
Perfectionism
As a POC, imposter syndrome can show up in the workplace as doubting your skill set, not being confident while taking on new challenges, and wondering if you’re “ready” or “good enough” for the position. Imposter syndrome is the perfect storm if you have perfectionistic tendencies (i.e., everything must be done a certain way or it must meet your high standards), and despite all of the efforts, you continue to feel inadequate. You might tell yourself, “They’re going to see right through me and realize that I actually don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Lack of education
You might feel even more like an imposter if you didn’t have the privilege of getting an education, which made you work harder to prove your worth to the company (i.e., taking on more responsibilities that no one wants to do/has time for, working late, pulling all-nighters, etc.). The goal of hopefully getting that promotion or new role seems to be within reach, but since there’s an emphasis on the types of degrees that you don’t have, that quickly becomes impossible.
Work Culture
I imagine in many workplaces, there’s a culture where productivity is highly encouraged and rest is often talked about but not enforced. Unfortunately, taking much-needed time off is not usually comfortable for people who are dealing with imposter syndrome. There’s an underlying anxiety and fear that if we take time off, maybe our employer/managers might perceive us as lazy or not a “team player.” There’s pressure to keep going even if you’re exhausted. It might be difficult to hear your colleagues or boss say to you, “You did a great job!” because in your mind, it could’ve been done better. You’re the dependable workhorse that people see they can take advantage of.
Lack of Safety
Work takes up so much of your life that it’s natural to hope your boss or colleagues would support you when things get tough. But if you witness or become a target of harassment, figuring out who you can safely turn to isn’t always easy. For POC especially, this lack of safety is often layered with the fear that others may not genuinely have your best interests in mind.
Golden Handcuffs
You might be financially supporting not only yourself, but your family as well. Many of my clients who come from similar backgrounds know that there is a feeling of guilt or pressure when we see our families struggling. To show our appreciation for their sacrifices, we take the high-paying jobs that provide us with great benefits, but can feel soul-sucking. There’s so much to lose, and we’re all trying our best to survive.
Using Psychodynamic and IFS Therapy to Uncover Imposter Syndrome Roots and Find Your Voice
The more we were told growing up that we’re not “doing enough,” we learned how to question our self-worth (Am I good enough?). From my last blog, which you can read here, what we saw and learned growing up can influence how we see ourselves and our situations. As an anxiety therapist who specializes in psychodynamic therapy and is IFS-informed (Internal Family Systems), I help clients strengthen their relationship with themselves, use their voice, and build sustainable self-confidence.
Think of psychodynamic therapy as the image that’s on a puzzle box, and IFS is all of the puzzle pieces. What we do is look at how to put your story and experiences together. At times, we might have to move some pieces around, or we work on a new puzzle altogether. Sometimes we work on the edges to build in context. Sometimes we might work on certain areas of the puzzle. The goal is to make sense of what’s in front of us and, piece by piece, create a fuller picture of you.
Anxiety Therapist in Chicago: 5 Practical Steps to Start Speaking Up
List out your strengths, skillsets, and “wins”.
We can compare ourselves to others to inspire us, but let’s try self-comparison instead - who we were to who we are currently. What did you learn this year? What would you like to improve on? What experiences piqued your curiosity? What was a challenge that expanded your expertise? Keep a written log throughout the year, so when annual performance reviews come up, you’re ready.
Ask questions and find mentors
When you’re feeling lost and confused, seek guidance from others around you who can give you a different perspective on a difficult problem. You’re not a burden. You can take up space to ask questions when and if you don’t know the answers.
Experiment with saying “sorry” less often and practice saying “no”
If you’re used to being the person who usually apologizes first (even if you did nothing wrong), we need to first be mindful of the behavior. Ask yourself, was it really your fault, or were you apologizing to avoid conflict? Taking accountability is a great strength to have, but you can’t bend over backwards saying "yes” or cleaning up others’ messes. If you need scripts to practice, I’d recommend the book, Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab.
Tap into your emotions
Learning to be more aware of your uncomfortable emotions (i.e., shame, guilt, embarrassment, anger, fear, etc.) is a great way to find your voice. Listen to those emotions that you compartmentalize. They’re trying to give you insights into why the situation is causing this emotional reaction. Read more here.
Dress the part
Finally, when it comes to ‘dressing the part’, there’s a saying, “Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.” Hear me out. I’m not telling you to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe or dress like your company’s CEO. For some people, clothes can be a way to express ourselves, and wearing certain pieces (for me, it’s my black cropped bomber jacket or a cute cardigan) can help build a sense of self-confidence. If you don’t want to wear a blazer because it doesn’t fit with who you are, then don’t! For such a long time, when I first started in my career, I believed that’s how a professional “should” dress up, but now, my clothes fit my lifestyle rather than being someone I’m not.
Finding Your Community: Why It Matters for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. You’ve overcome challenges that shaped who you are, and those experiences matter. But no one thrives in isolation—building a community, a network of social support, is what can help remind you that your voice matters. When you surround yourself with people who understand and support you, it becomes easier to practice asking for what you need, take breaks, and make choices that sustain both your work and relationships. As an anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL, I often remind clients that listening to your body is important, just as much as being a part of a community that will encourage you to honor your needs.
If you’ve often felt like an outsider in social settings or workplaces, it makes sense that imposter syndrome shows up. Maybe your values don’t align with the culture of your job, or you don’t feel safe sharing your authentic self with coworkers. A community outside of your workplace that shares your values—whether it’s with old or new friends, professional groups, or cultural space can give you a place where you don’t have to hide. Instead of worrying about judgment or whispers, you can focus on building genuine connections that strengthen your confidence. Working with an anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL, can also help you recognize which communities truly support your growth and which ones drain your energy.
For many of us, feelings of not belonging are deeply rooted. If your family has had a history of displacement, whether that’s through migration, war, or starting over in a new country, you may carry forward a survival instinct that says it’s safer to stay quiet and blend in. Community helps interrupt that cycle. By connecting with others who’ve had similar struggles, you begin to see that your fear and doubt aren’t personal flaws—they’re shared experiences. And within that connection, you can find acceptance, courage, and the reminder that you don’t have to fight imposter syndrome alone. If you’re struggling to find that sense of belonging, reaching out to an anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL, can be the first step toward building the supportive community you deserve.
When to Seek Help From an Anxiety Therapist in Chicago for Imposter Syndrome
If imposter syndrome is starting to take over your life—showing up as constant self-doubt, anxiety at work, feeling like a fraud even when you’re successful, or comparing yourself endlessly to others—it may be time to seek support. When these thoughts and feelings begin to impact your confidence, relationships, or ability to enjoy the things you’ve worked hard for, reaching out can make a difference.
As an anxiety therapist in Chicago, I help clients untangle the heavy feelings of anger, powerlessness, and confusion that often come with imposter syndrome. You’re not a burden, and you’re not “damaged goods.” With the right support, it’s possible to feel more grounded, confident, and connected to your worth.
Let’s figure it out together. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today and take the first step toward leaving imposter syndrome behind.
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