Originally formulated in 1978, the Imposter Syndrome refers to an internal sense of insecurity and of being a “fraud” that exists despite one’s talents, abilities, and track record of success. Though never achieving official diagnostic status in the psychiatric nomenclature, evidence has shown that the Imposter Syndrome has been widely endorsed by men and women in the decades since its inception. Why has the notion of an Imposter Syndrome continued to capture so much attention, resonating with a significant number of people who see themselves, and their achievements, as undeserved?  And to what extent are perfectionism, fear of failure, the tendency to discount positive feedback, and self-doubt — the major theorized components of the Imposter Syndrome — actually indicative of a pathological syndrome or merely common experiences of the human condition each one of us, at some point in our lives, will contend with? In the next meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on Saturday, August 1, 2020 (10:15 to 11:30 AM), we will explore these and other questions as we take a closer look at the Imposter Syndrome. In our discussion, we will consider more recent theorizing on the five subtypes of high-achievers who are overcome with feelings of inadequacy and incompetence despite evidence to the contrary.

* Registration Directions: If you would like to attend the virtual meeting of the Men’s Group Seminar on August 1, 2020, 10:15 to 11:30 AM, please RSVP to me at 949-338-4388 or jt@jamestobinphd.com at your earliest convenience. The fee is $25.00 (payable before entering the virtual meeting) and informed consent for participation in this telehealth event must be completed prior to the seminar. Please note that the Men’s Group Seminar is psychoeducational in nature, not therapeutic, and does not constitute psychotherapy or counseling.