If you’ve achieved things but still feel like you don’t truly belong — at work, in sport, leadership, business, or life — imposter syndrome can leave you anxious, self-critical, and waiting to be “found out.”
Outwardly, you may look capable, successful, even confident. Internally, you may feel like you’re faking it, getting lucky, or only one mistake away from exposure.
This isn’t insecurity. It isn’t a lack of ability. It’s what happens when visibility, responsibility, or success triggers a threat response in the nervous system.
I help people across Reading, Didcot and online reduce imposter syndrome, calm identity-based pressure, and feel secure at the level they’re already operating at using hypnotherapy, NLP and calm, practical mindset coaching. Many people notice a profound shift in self-trust and ease within just a few sessions.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
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Do Any of These Sound Like You?
- You worry others will realise you’re “not as good as they think”
- You downplay achievements or attribute success to luck
- You feel pressure to constantly prove yourself
- You overwork to avoid being exposed
- Praise makes you uncomfortable or anxious
- You fear being promoted, seen, or given more responsibility
- You feel like you don’t truly belong at your level
- One mistake feels like confirmation you’re a fraud
- You achieve more… but feel less secure
If this resonates, you’re not broken — your system is responding to identity-level pressure, not reality.
What’s Really Going On With Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome isn’t about competence. It’s about perceived threat to identity and belonging.
When the brain senses:
- Increased visibility
- Higher expectations
- Evaluation or judgement
- Responsibility or consequence
- “Being seen” at a higher level
…it can interpret success itself as unsafe.
This triggers:
- Hypervigilance
- Overthinking
- Self-doubt
- Perfectionism
- Emotional exhaustion
- Performance anxiety
- Comparison to others – comparisonitis
- A constant need to prove yourself
Consciously, you may know you’re capable.
Subconsciously, your nervous system believes:
“If I’m truly seen here, I might lose safety, belonging, or status.”
That’s why reassurance, logic, or confidence coaching often doesn’t stick.
The Science Behind Imposter Syndrome (Brief & Grounded)
From a neuroscience perspective:
- Identity threat activates the amygdala
- Stress hormones reduce access to the prefrontal cortex
- The brain prioritises safety over self-expression
- Success becomes associated with risk rather than reward
This leads to:
- Self-monitoring instead of flow
- Overcontrol instead of trust
- Anxiety despite competence
Research shows that reducing perceived threat and restoring nervous system regulation allows:
- Stable self-trust
- Consistent performance
- Authentic confidence
- Ease at higher levels of responsibility
Hypnotherapy supports this by helping the brain reclassify success, visibility, and competence as safe.
How Hypnotherapy & Coaching Help With Imposter Syndrome
We don’t “boost confidence.”
We remove the threat response underneath it.
Sessions may help you to:
- Calm identity-based pressure
- Reduce fear of being exposed or judged
- Stop overworking and over-proving
- Release perfectionism
- Trust your competence without forcing belief
- Feel secure at your current level
- Allow success without anxiety
- Operate from ease instead of defence
This isn’t mindset work. It’s nervous system regulation — so confidence becomes natural, not performed.
Imposter syndrome is especially common among high performers, professionals, athletes, and leaders operating at demanding levels.
What Working Together Looks Like
Where Sessions Take Place
- In person at my Reading or Didcot practice
- Or online via Zoom, Skype or Teams
Many clients choose a mix of in-person and online sessions.
- Reading: Monday to Friday, day and evening
- Didcot: Tuesdays, flexible times
- Online: Secure sessions from home
Whether you prefer face to face or online sessions, the process and results are just as effective. I work with clients across Reading and Didcot, including nearby towns in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, both in person and online. You could be next.
Why People Choose The Excel Practice for Imposter Syndrome
- 18+ years’ experience working with anxiety, identity and performance
- Specialising in overthinking, pressure, confidence and flow
- Calm, modern, practical approach — no scripts or hype
- Focus on reducing threat, not forcing belief
- Trusted by hundreds of clients across Reading, Didcot & online
Clients often say: “Once I stopped feeling like I had to prove myself, everything changed.”
Imposter Syndrome, Performance & Overthinking
Imposter syndrome often overlaps with:
- Performance anxiety
- Public speaking anxiety
- Overthinking
- Decision fatigue
- Stress and overwhelm
- Confidence cycles such as with public speaking
As imposter syndrome settles, people often notice improvements across multiple areas of life, not just confidence.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
Everyone is different, but:
- Some people notice shifts within 2–3 sessions
- Others prefer 4–6 sessions for stability and integration
- We review regularly — no pressure, no lock-ins
The goal is ease, security, and self-trust — not ego or bravado.
Is Hypnotherapy and Coaching Right for Me?
This work may suit you if:
- You feel like a fraud despite evidence of success
- Achievement increases pressure instead of confidence
- You’re tired of over-proving yourself
- You want to feel secure at your level, not just capable
If you’re unsure, you’re welcome to ask questions first.
Trusted by hundreds of clients over 18+ years, with 50+ five-star Google reviews.
Gregg C – Feb 2018 and Nov 2023
Thank you for helping me to recognise the origin of the issue I had, You manged to get to its cause pretty quickly in a relaxed and my imposter syndrome has completly gone from my acting . The strategies and self-knowledge that developed from those 3 sessions enabled me to make positive changes that have improved my life, and those of my family. Being able to think like that has been an eye opener, and the NLP is something i can take away with me for the future.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Next Steps – When Success Feels Unsafe
You don’t need to become more confident.
You don’t need to prove anything.
You need your system to feel safe being you at this level.
If you’re ready to:
- Stop feeling like a fraud
- Feel secure in your ability
- Let success feel calm instead of stressful
- Operate without constant self-doubt
…then working with imposter syndrome directly can be a powerful step.
People often search for help with imposter syndrome, self-doubt despite success, fear of being exposed, or not feeling good enough — this page addresses the underlying identity-level pressure, not just the symptoms.
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142
Book Your Session
Ask a Question
FAQ – Imposter Syndrome & Hypnotherapy
Is imposter syndrome a mental health condition?
No. It’s a common nervous system response to visibility, responsibility, or success — especially in capable people.
Why does success make it worse, not better?
Because success increases perceived risk: being seen, judged, or exposed. The brain prioritises safety over achievement.
Will hypnotherapy change who I am?
No. You remain fully aware and in control. Hypnotherapy helps remove unhelpful threat responses — it doesn’t alter your personality.
Is this suitable for professionals, athletes, or leaders?
Yes. Many clients are high performers whose ability is already proven — but blocked by pressure and identity-based anxiety.
Can sessions be done online?
Yes. Online sessions are just as effective as in-person work.
Leena Vinkka-Innes, 5 reviews • 0 photos, 22 May 2022
I visited Matthew to try to identify what was holding me back to progress in my career. The sessions did just that – I was able to identify my limiting believes, process them and come to terms with them. I found it easy to talk and open up to Matthew. (helping with imposter syndrome) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
MAIL@THEEXCELPRACTICE.COM OR CALL 07807 540142