Imposter Syndrome in NYC: Signs, Causes, and Support
You’ve built an impressive career in finance, media, medicine, tech, or law. On the outside, you look confident. Inside, you feel one mistake away from being “found out.”
If that lands, you’re not alone. Many high-achieving women in New York experience imposter syndrome, a persistent pattern of self-doubt that diverts focus from their real accomplishments.
Looking for structured support right now?
Consider online imposter syndrome therapy in NYC to quiet the inner critic and feel more grounded in your success.
What is imposter syndrome?
It’s the pattern of feeling like your success is due to luck, timing, or other people overestimating you. This often means you may struggle to accept praise, even with a strong track record. In a KPMG survey of senior women leaders, 75% said they’d experienced imposter thoughts at some point in their careers.
Prevalence isn’t one-size-fits-all, though. A systematic review of imposter syndrome reported that rates range widely (~9% to 82%) depending on who’s studied and how it’s measured, which helps explain why some weeks feel calm and others spike.
Signs NYC professionals often notice
Over-preparing or overworking to avoid being “found out”
Brushing off compliments; struggling to internalize wins
Trying to do everything “perfectly” and fear of mistakes
Constant comparison to peers
Tying self-worth to productivity
Anxious self-talk, exhaustion, or burnout from the pressure to perform
Why NYC turns the dial up
High-pressure workplaces: Wall Street, hospitals, startups, law firms
Comparison culture: Surrounded by high performers
Underrepresentation: Extra pressure in male-dominated fields
Hustle mindset: Overwork is normalized; rest feels “undeserved”
When excellence is the baseline, it’s easy to feel like you’re the exception who doesn’t belong.
What actually helps
Imposter syndrome doesn’t fade by pushing harder. Rather, it shifts when you change your relationship with your thoughts and actions. Examples of interventions include:
CBT
To challenge distorted thinking and build evidence-based self-trust
ACT
To strengthen psychological flexibility when self-doubt spikes
Mindfulness
Mindfulness to notice thoughts without spiraling
Self-compassion
To replace harsh self-criticism with a fairer voice
Small steps you can start today
Keep a wins list. Record daily wins; everything counts.
Question the thought, not yourself. What evidence supports it? What evidence challenges it?
Receive praise. Try “Thank you, I’m proud of that.”
Ground in the present. Two minutes of paced breathing or 5-4-3-2-1.
Talk about it. Name imposter thoughts with someone you trust.
You deserve to feel your success
You’ve worked hard to get here. You don’t have to “earn” confidence. Rather, you rebuild it through practice. If imposter thoughts are running the show, specialized support can help you step back into your life with more ease.
Next steps: explore anxiety therapy in NYC, learn about self-esteem therapy, read When “Enough” Never Feels Enough, or schedule using the link below to get started.
Educational use only
The tools and tips in this article are educational. They’re not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or medical advice, and they don’t create a therapist–client relationship. Everyone’s history and nervous system are different. What helps one person may not fit another. If anxiety is disrupting your work, sleep, or relationships, talk with a licensed clinician in your state.
If you’re you are having a mental health crisis, please call 988 (U.S. -), your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
