Understanding Impostor Syndrome in High Achievers: An Interview with Stevon Lewis, LMFT

Curt and Katie interview Stevon Lewison working with high achievers who struggle with impostor syndrome. We explored what impostor syndrome is, how society contributes to impostor syndrome, how you can differentiate impostor syndrome from internalized racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, etc., the emotional impacts of impostor syndrome, and how therapists can work effectively with these clients. 

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about how impostor syndrome shows up in high achievers

We reached out to our friend, Stevon Lewis, to explore impostor syndrome. 

What do therapists miss related to treating impostor syndrome in high achievers?

• Looking at the symptoms versus the root cause
• Understanding the common patterns

How does society contribute to impostor syndrome?

•  Productivity and detail-orientation are praised
• The role of humility and Stevon’s difficulty with the accepted definition of humility
• Subcultures that are hyper-focused on achievement and competition
• The impact of a marginalized identity or identities on impostor syndrome

How can therapists support high achievers with impostor syndrome in therapy?

• Slowing down the conversation
• Shifting the language related to goal-setting
• Finding a path to celebrating wins
• Perspective taking on how you treat yourself versus how you treat others
• Self-compassion and self-understanding

How do you sort out impostor syndrome from internalized racism, sexism, ableism, etc.?

• Contending with stereotypes and unreasonable expectations
• Looking at the environment within which someone is working or living
• The impact of parenting and what you’ve grown up with

Emotional impacts of Impostor Syndrome

• Description of the inner bully
• Fear of being found out, not belonging
• Fear of being a disappointment or of being too successful
• The danger of exploitation, especially for folks who have traditionally been marginalized
• The pushback when you are being different

What does healing look like for high achievers with impostor syndrome?

• Radical acceptance of self
• Getting freedom
• Self-compassion

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

Stevon’s Website

Stevon’s Journal: Silencing Your Inner Bully

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

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Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/