The term ‘Imposter Syndrome’ (IS) refers to the belief that I am impersonating a skilful person and will, sooner, or later, be found out and unmasked as the imposter I am ‘in reality’. A recent survey suggests that four out of five people have experienced this belief in the workplace, in schools, colleges and university, and in relationships. Felt to be extremely shameful by most individuals, IS is seldom the presiding motivator for seeking therapy, manifesting clinically only after some level of client trust has developed with the therapist.
Many individuals experiencing IS are outwardly successful but have split their executive self from their ‘real self’ experienced as a fragmented, confused, frightened and shamed inner child.
This workshop will offer insights into the causes and expressions of IS through two lenses; the psychological and the intersectional. This latter will seek to examine the role of the cultural/ancestral introject in confusing the inner child by enforcing an ‘othering of one’s own self’.
Course Content
Presenter
Jon Skelton Pearson PTSTA(P), CIT, UKCP reg., has worked as a psychotherapist since 1997 and was formerly an NHS Mental Health Nurse. He also teaches and practices yoga, classical/modern tantra and shamanism. He runs a teaching/supervisory practice, where he lives, and teaches worldwide.
