Applying of Psychoanalytic Counseling Techniques to Deal with the Impostor Phenomenon

Psychoanalytic coaching

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the problems of the impostor phenomenon in psychoanalytic counseling and coaching – psychological phenomenon is considered in which a person is not able to appropriate his achievements and suffers from a constant fear of being discovered as a "deceiver" or “impostor”. The author analyzes approaches and concepts to the study of the impostor phenomenon, considers its core manifestations, causes of occurrence. The interrelationships of the impostor phenomenon with the problems of narcissism and depression are revealed. The manifestations of the phenomenon within the framework of the organization are studied, two cases from personal practice are given. The study confirms the hypothesis that the use of the psychoanalytic method of counseling and coaching allows clients to start reflection and awareness of the inner experience caused by the manifestations of the impostor phenomenon, which positively affects their self-esteem. This approach is effective both in individual work with clients with a pronounced impostor phenomenon, and in the format of group work within a company.