Imposter Syndrome Therapy in Denver: How to Stop Feeling Like a Fraud
Do you ever catch yourself downplaying your achievements, second-guessing your abilities, or waiting for the day someone “finds out” you’re not as capable as they think? If so, you may be experiencing imposter syndrome. The persistent feeling of being a fraud can be exhausting, discouraging, and incredibly isolating. Many women in Denver (and beyond) struggle with imposter syndrome - especially high-achieving professionals, new moms, or those navigating new experiences in their careers or personal lives. Imposter syndrome is all too common, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.
The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle of self-doubt and insecurity. Therapy can help you overcome imposter syndrome to quiet your inner critic, reconnect with your confidence, and start believing in your worth.
In this post, we’ll explore what imposter syndrome is, how it’s tied to other conditions like perfectionism and ADHD, and some practical tips to start shifting your mindset. Finally, we’ll talk about how working with a therapist for imposter syndrome in Denver can support you in building the confidence you deserve.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome isn’t a diagnosable mental health disorder in itself - instead it’s a pattern of thinking and feeling that makes you question your competence, despite working hard or receiving repeated positive feedback from others. When you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, no matter how much you accomplish, you still find yourself doubting your skills and abilities. People with imposter syndrome often:
Attribute personal success to luck or external factors rather than skill.
Feel like they’ve “fooled” others into believing they’re capable (and feel immense pressure to keep up the facade)
Fear being exposed as a fraud or incapable, even in the face of positive feedback.
Hold themselves to unrealistic standards that feel impossible to meet.
Compare themselves to others who they view as more “worthy” based on a polished appearance or projection of confidence.
Distance themselves in relationships due to worrying that if they get too close, others will uncover their flaws and no longer want to be with them.
Experience social anxiety in the form of excessive worrying that others will judge them as unintelligent, uninteresting or unoriginal.
Imposter syndrome can show up in many areas of life: the workplace, parenting, relationships, athletics, academic settings and more. For example, you might receive glowing feedback from your boss but still feel convinced that your next project will fail. Or as a new mom, you might constantly compare yourself to others, feeling like you’re “not cut out” for motherhood the way some women are.
Left unaddressed, imposter syndrome can fuel anxiety, burnout, and even depression. That’s why recognizing it - and seeking support to overcome it - is so important.
Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism
Imposter syndrome and perfectionism often go hand in hand. Perfectionism tells you that anything less than flawless is a failure. Imposter syndrome whispers that even when you succeed, it wasn’t justified - or worse, that you don’t deserve credit for it.
This cycle creates impossible standards. You push yourself to overachieve, striving for perfection in every detail. When you meet those standards, you playing down the success (“It wasn’t that hard, anyone could have done it”). And when you fall short, you use it as evidence that you’re not capable after all. Imposter syndrome and perfectionism set you up for a lose/lose outcome, no matter how hard you work.
Perfectionism also leaves little room for joy or pride. Instead of celebrating successes, you might move the goalposts higher or focus on the one thing you could have done better. This mindset just reinforces the “fraud” narrative of imposter syndrome, convincing yourself that if you were really cut out for this, you would have achieved perfection.
Therapy can help you break this cycle by challenging perfectionistic beliefs, learning to tolerate mistakes, and cultivating self-compassion.
Imposter Syndrome and ADHD
Imposter syndrome is also incredibly common among people with ADHD. Because people with ADHD often deal with challenges like difficulty focusing, struggling with organization and time management, and experience atypical patterns of attention and energy throughout the day, the way in which someone with ADHD goes about achieving success may look different than it would for a neurotypical peer. While awareness is growing, our culture still tends to focus on a narrow view of what competence looks like - someone who is type-A, organized, timely and focused.
People with ADHD often receive messages throughout their whole lives that their way of doing things is wrong - and even that it means things like they are not smart enough, not obedient enough, not productive enough or not responsible enough (the list goes on). ADHD and IQ exist independently from each other, and many people with ADHD are incredibly intelligent and successful. However, this doesn’t stop these messages from being internalized after receiving repeated criticism from teachers, parents, coaches and peers throughout your life.
As a therapist, I see how often ADHD goes undiagnosed in women in particular, as they often struggle with more inattentive-type symptoms that fly under the radar in academic and work settings. Many women with ADHD end up internalizing the feeling that they have to work twice as hard to prove themselves. This lived experience can fuel the “I’m not good enough” narrative of imposter syndrome, especially when they see others around them breezing through things that take them twice as much time and effort.
For women with ADHD, imposter syndrome might sound like:
“I only succeeded because I got lucky this time.”
“If people knew how much I procrastinate, they wouldn’t think I’m smart.”
“I can’t keep up like other people - I’m faking it.”
“If anyone saw the inside of my house, they wouldn’t think I’m capable.”
Therapy can provide strategies to overcome imposter syndrome that are tailored to your ADHD brain - helping you recognize your strengths, manage challenges, and stop dismissing your very real accomplishments.
Tips to Overcome Imposter Syndrome (So You Can Stop Feeling Like a Fraud)
While therapy is one of the most effective ways to work through imposter syndrome, there are also some tools you can take right now to begin shifting your mindset. Here are a few steps you can take to start challenging your imposter syndrome and stop feeling like a fraud:
1. Recognize Your Imposter Thoughts
Awareness is the first step. Start noticing when thoughts like “I don’t belong here” or “I just got lucky” show up. Label them for what they are: imposter syndrome thoughts - not facts.
2. Identify Your Triggers
If you struggle with imposter syndrome, you likely have experiences from your past that get reactivated to bring up intense feelings of insecurity and self-doubt in the present. Start paying more attention to notice if it’s similar patterns that trigger your imposter syndrome - do you feel threatened by people who are a certain gender, relationship or in positions of power? Are there certain comments or types of feedback that make you feel especially unworthy or shameful? Noticing these patterns can help you start to anticipate and label the feelings more quickly, so that you spend less time on an imposter-syndrome-spiral that feels impossible to get out of.
3. Start Tracking Your Wins
Keep a “wins” folder - emails with positive feedback, notes of appreciation, or reminders of projects you completed successfully. Having evidence of your competence can be crucial for surviving days when self-doubt creeps in - revisit these reminders to ground yourself in reality.
4. Talk About It
Imposter syndrome is ultimately connected to shame - that fear of being unlovable, not good enough or rejected by your peers. And one thing we know about shame is that it thrives (and holds more power over us) in silence. Sharing your feelings with trusted friends, colleagues, or a therapist helps you to take some of that power back, not let it bully you into silence and recognize that so many people feel the same way. Dealing with imposter syndrome is not a sign of weakness or incompetence - instead it’s actually most common among high-achieving and successful people, especially those from marginalized groups such as women or ethnic minorities. Knowing you’re not alone in feeling this way can be incredibly validating, and help you connect to others rather than dealing with it alone.
5. Identify and Challenge Your Perfectionism
Shift from “I have to be perfect” to “I’m allowed to learn and grow.” Mistakes aren’t proof of failure - they’re proof that you’re human. Over time, practicing a compassionate inner dialogue can soften the harsh edges of your inner critic. Check out my full post on tips for overcoming perfectionism to learn more.
6. Celebrate Your Successes
Instead of immediately moving on to the next goal, pause to acknowledge your accomplishments. Practice saying, “I worked hard for this, and I deserve to be proud.” If you’re not used to doing this it may feel uncomfortable, or even self-indulgent. But you deserve to celebrate your hard-earned achievements - and until you start acknowledging that, your imposter syndrome is going to continue running the show.
7. Reframe Failure as Feedback
When things don’t go as planned, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” This mindset shift allows you to see setbacks as a valuable part of the growth process, not evidence that you’re a fraud.
Work with a Therapist for Imposter Syndrome in Denver, Colorado
Imposter syndrome can feel deeply personal, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Working with a therapist provides a safe space to explore your self-doubt, uncover the root causes, and develop tools to build lasting confidence.
In therapy for imposter syndrome, we will work on:
Challenging negative thought patterns.
Building resilience against perfectionism.
Exploring how ADHD, perfectionism or life experiences play into imposter feelings.
Developing self-compassion and confidence in your abilities.
Learning to truly internalize and take pride in your accomplishments.
As a Denver-based therapist I specialize in supporting women who struggle with imposter syndrome, anxiety, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Together, we can help you let go of the “fraud” narrative and embrace your true worth.
Imposter Syndrome Treatment at Root to Rise Therapy in Denver
At Root to Rise Therapy, we believe that every woman deserves to feel grounded, confident, and capable. Imposter syndrome may have been part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define your future.
Through compassionate, evidence-based therapy, we’ll work together to:
Understand where your imposter feelings come from.
Reconnect you with your strengths and values.
Develop healthier thought patterns and coping skills.
Build tools to step confidently into your personal and professional life.
You don’t need to keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. You don’t need to keep dismissing your hard-earned accomplishments. You are not a fraud - you are capable, resilient, and worthy of taking up space.
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing yourself and start believing in your own success, I invite you to reach out today. Online therapy for imposter syndrome in Denver, Colorado can help you rise above self-doubt and step into the life you’ve been working so hard to build.
Take the first step today—schedule a consultation and begin your journey toward confidence, clarity, and self-trust.
Related Posts:
Why Do I Doubt Myself So Much? (And How to Stop)
Therapy for High Achievers: Healing From People Pleasing and Perfectionism
How to Find Self Love and Leave the Inner Critic Behind
5 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism
Overcoming Perfectionism as a Colorado Athlete
Other Services at Root to Rise Therapy:
Other mental health services at Root to Rise Therapy include Therapy for Anxiety, Therapy for Perfectionism, Therapy for People-Pleasing,Cultural Identity Counseling, ADHD Therapy, Counseling for Moms and Postpartum Counseling. I see clients located in Colorado, New York and New Jersey. Contact me to learn more about how I can help you overcome anxiety and reclaim your life!
