Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 107: Outsmarting Imposter Syndrome

Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Melody Wilding
Release Date: October 13, 2018

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Dr. Kate Campbell and Katie Lemieux welcome back Melody Wilding, a coach and expert on the intersection of psychology and leadership, to discuss an issue that plagues many therapists and high achieving professionals: imposter syndrome. Through personal stories, research insights, and practical strategies, the conversation unpacks what imposter syndrome is, why it's so prevalent (especially among clinicians), its impact on private practice owners, and multiple actionable ways to “outsmart” it—moving toward greater confidence and authentic success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Melody Wilding’s Journey with Imposter Syndrome

• Background & Personal Story (04:07–08:02)
  • Melody shares how her unique name initially made her feel like an "imposter" for not fitting expectations (e.g., not being musical like her name suggests).
  • “I was kind of waiting for that point in the future when I would feel ready to do things.” (C, 04:54)
  • Discovering The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Dr. Valerie Young helped her finally name her experience and see its impact on self-worth, confidence, and achievement.
  • Melody notes common imposter habits: downplaying accomplishments, apologizing needlessly, deflecting praise.

The Universal Experience of Imposter Syndrome

• Host Reflections (08:02–11:07)
  • Both Kate and Katie share their early career insecurities about age, life experience, and being able to "rightfully" help clients.
  • “Every time we expand into new areas…that voice of imposter syndrome will pop back up and rear its ugly head.” (A/Kate, 08:45)
  • The phenomenon is normalized—even veteran professionals can be “visited” by imposter syndrome when facing new roles or challenges.

Defining and Understanding Imposter Syndrome

• Psychological Framework (11:17–13:24)
  • Melody: “It’s that feeling of being a fake or a fraud…it’s really marked by having trouble internalizing your success despite evidence otherwise.” (C, 11:29)
  • Imposter syndrome is characterized by self-doubt and an inability to accept success, often in the face of significant qualifications.
  • Clinicians, armed with therapeutic tools, are uniquely positioned to address imposter thinking—if they direct those skills inward.

Strategies to Outsmart Imposter Syndrome

1. Internalize & Celebrate Success

• Appreciating Accomplishments (13:24–14:39)
  • Katie: “For me, it was more like…on to the next thing. But when I began connecting the dots of celebrating my accomplishments…things changed.”
  • The need to anchor positive experiences, not just gloss over them.

2. Practice Mindfulness & Gratitude

• Rick Hanson’s "Taking In" Concept (14:39–15:56)
  • Melody emphasizes conscious appreciation: “Ask yourself, what’s working well instead of focusing on what haven’t I done.” (C, 14:43)
  • Start rewiring negative self-talk by consciously internalizing positive feedback.

3. Watch Your Language & Receive Praise

• Language Awareness (15:54–16:53)
  • “Watch for times where you do dismiss your accomplishments…Practice just saying thank you.” (C, 15:56)
  • Women, in particular, tend to over-explain or deflect praise—practicing simple acceptance helps change the narrative.

4. Build the "Receiving" Muscle

• Experiential Practices (16:53–18:15)
  • Katie shares about standing with arms wide open to literally practice receiving praise or gratitude, however uncomfortable.
  • Assigning small rewards to accomplishments helps reinforce this practice.

5. Use Tangible Reminders ("Brag File")

• Evidence-Based Self-Affirmation (19:13–20:50)
  • Melody’s “brag file” method: physically collect praise, thank-you notes, positive feedback to read when self-doubt arises.
  • “Cognitive distortions make us think in black and white—brag files help restore the evidence.” (C, 19:51)

6. Change Your Relationship with Imposter Syndrome

• Reframe as Growth Signal (21:46–23:47)
  • “The further you get into your career…the more acute imposter syndrome gets. It means that I’m doing something different, I’m challenging myself in some new way.” (C, 21:52)
  • See imposter syndrome as a sign you’re in a growth zone—not a failure zone.

7. Leverage Authenticity and Connection

• Vulnerability & Support Networks (25:01–28:35)
  • Kate and Katie discuss how embracing authenticity—rather than a “perfect professional” image—has been freeing and magnetic.
  • “When you can be authentic and vulnerable…shame can’t live.” (B/Katie, 26:07)
  • Melody underscores the importance of supportive networks, whether mastermind groups or community forums.
  • “Having people who can be a witness to your process…helps you get past that black or white thinking.” (C, 26:30)

8. Perfectionism vs. Procrastination

• Coping Styles (26:30–28:35)
  • Two common responses to imposter syndrome:
    • Perfectionists double down, overwork, seek more credentials.
    • Procrastinators avoid opportunities, undersell, or stay invisible.
  • Both are traps; neither leads to sustainable confidence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was the first time in my life that there was a term for what I was going through. That label was powerful.”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 04:54

• “As clinicians, we have a really unique kind of position…We already have the tool set that we need to conquer [imposter syndrome].”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 12:22

• “Celebrate your wins…That begins to anchor in and shift a lot of that stuff.”
  — Katie Lemieux (B), 14:29

• “We have to start very consciously noticing those times when things are working well…and take those experiences in.”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 15:29

• “Just say thank you. Don’t feel the need to justify or explain away how you were able to accomplish something that you did.”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 16:01

• “When imposter syndrome is showing up…I actually know that’s a good sign because it means I’m doing something different.”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 22:00

• “Finding people who can help you…be your cheerleader when you feel down, that’s a huge, huge component.”
  — Melody Wilding (C), 28:44

• “Welcome to being human. That’s a human thing.”
  — Katie Lemieux (B), 29:02

Important Timestamps

• Melody’s personal journey – 04:07–08:02
• Host reflections on early career imposter feelings – 08:02–11:07
• Defining imposter syndrome – 11:27–13:24
• Strategies for celebration and internalizing wins – 13:24–18:15
• The brag file and evidence-based affirmation – 19:13–20:50
• State change and physical energy shifts – 20:50–21:46
• Reframing imposter feelings as growth – 21:46–23:47
• Authenticity vs. perfection – 25:01–26:13
• Role of support networks and vulnerability – 26:27–28:35
• Perfectionism and procrastination as coping responses – 26:30–28:35
• Final takeaways from Melody – 30:46–31:36

Final Takeaways & Resources

• Key Message:
  “Let the good in. Especially as perfectionists, we have a tendency to, once we set one goal, we’ve already raised the bar…learning to welcome in what’s going well actually makes everything much more pleasurable and makes business more easy.” (C, 30:50)

• Resource: Melody Wilding offers a free 5-day course on outsmarting imposter syndrome:
  melodywilding.com/course (31:54)

Episode Tone & Style

• Candid, supportive, and empowering
• Mix of personal storytelling, humor (“go do my taxes, imposter syndrome!”), and actionable clinical wisdom
• Language is casual yet insightful, mixing personal vulnerability with professional expertise

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode provides both validation—you’re not alone if you feel like a fraud sometimes—and specific tools for shifting the internal narrative. Whether you’re a therapist just starting or a seasoned private practice owner aiming to “level up,” the team lays out clear, practical advice for tackling imposter syndrome, reframing it as a normal part of growth, and leveraging your own therapeutic knowledge for yourself. Highly recommended for anyone in private practice or any achievement-driven helping professional.