Don't believe everything you think: Applying a cognitive processing therapy intervention to disrupting imposter phenomenon

Abstract

Despite increasing studies into the effects of imposter phenomenon, there lacks empirically tested interventions that could help individuals address the distorted cognitions associated with “feeling like a fake” in their work role. Using a multistage sequential mixed methods study design, we developed and pilot-tested a workshop intervention based on cognitive processing therapy to determine the impact on participants’ imposter tendencies, core self-evaluation, and transfer of learning outcomes. As a result of the workshop, participants reported significantly lower imposter scores and increased core self-evaluation ratings compared to their baseline results. Participants also described proximal and distal transfer of learning outcomes and the overall impacts of increased agency in challenging distorted thinking patterns, greater awareness and normalizing of their imposter experiences, and use of experiential learning to continue addressing future imposter episodes. While preliminary, our study offers empirical support of a work-based intervention to help employees disrupt distorted thinking patterns associated with experiencing imposter tendencies.