Who's the Real Imposter?
- Arielle Vale
- Jan 6
- 1 min read
Have you ever felt like an imposter in your own career?
I know I have. For years, I had parts of me that believed if I just learned more, trained more, was somehow "perfect," then everyone would be taken care of. These parts kept me stuck in roles I had outgrown.
Here's what surprised me: I was in good company.
Research shows that 62-97% of healthcare professionals report experiencing imposter syndrome. If almost everyone feels this way, who's the real imposter?
From an Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective, "imposter syndrome" is not a personal failing—it is what happens when we become blended with parts carrying beliefs about not being good enough. These parts are not trying to harm us; they are trying to protect us, even when their strategies cause pain.
The data shows you're not alone:
62-97% of healthcare professionals experience imposter syndrome
Women are 1.7x more likely to report intense feelings
Rates are higher among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals
If you are a healthcare professional feeling this way, you are not broken. Your parts are responding to real pressures in systems that equate your worth with productivity.
I've written a full article exploring: Why these parts developed/ The role of our parts in what keeps us stuck What you can do about it (with practical IFS exercises)/ Your life matters as much as those you serve!
Read the full article here: [https://open.substack.com/pub/ariellevale/p/imposter-syndrome-whos-the-real-imposter?r=30w1cb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]
If this reflection resonates, you’re warmly invited to connect — Arielle Vale, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist California LMFT #9885, Maryland LCM, 893Internal Family Systems Level 1 & 2 Trained (925) 726-3151, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/arielle-vale-walnut-creek-ca/160658
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