Has This Profession Failed Therapists? Unpacking Imposter Syndrome Myths and Building Confidence

Nicole Arzt

Worth 1.5 CEUs

Thursday, April 11, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

For all that’s been said about the looming mental health crisis, there haven’t been nearly as many conversations about the mental health provider crisis. But today’s therapists are deeply struggling. They’re disproportionately underpaid, overworked, and unsupported. Many are burnt out and fantasizing about leaving the profession altogether. But how did we get here?

Therapists are taught that they will learn the craft of therapy by doing therapy. Unfortunately, they tend to be undertrained and only given limited feedback throughout their careers. They want to competently treat their clients, but they often feel lost and uncertain. When they acknowledge their concerns, they receive trite answers telling them to go talk to your supervisor, dial in your self-care, or address it in personal therapy. These remedies, while beneficial, do not adequately address the many systemic barriers plaguing our field.

This presentation highlights the many reasons why therapists feel insecure in their work. It overviews the damaging myths associated with imposter syndrome and provides action-based takeaways therapists can utilize for building confidence and competence.

About Nicole Arzt

Nicole Arzt has been working as a practicing psychotherapist in Southern California for over a decade. In her private practice, she treats complex and developmental trauma with a specialized focus on supporting newer therapists. She's held previous positions in school-based settings, non-profit healthcare, and inpatient mental health and substance use treatment.

Her bestselling book, Sometimes Therapy Is Awkward, explores pertinent themes of imposter syndrome, burnout, and the existential stressors associated with being a modern-day therapist. Her second book, co-authored with her husband and psychotherapist, Jeremy Arzt, is set for publication in late 2024.

Nicole is the founder of Psychotherapy Memes, a global community with more than 150,000 mental health professionals. On social media, she blends humor with authenticity, feeling it is adamant to accurately portray the struggles therapists experience in their daily work.

Nicole also owns Soul of Therapy LLC, a writing and media business for therapists. Her work has been featured in Choosing Therapy, Psychology Today, WebMD, Bustle, and the Today Show. Nicole enjoys consulting and speaking with new therapists about working in mental health. She's been featured on several podcasts and has been a keynote speaker for numerous events around the country.