Interview with Felipe Blue by Bri Ryerson, Wellness Operations Intern

Felipe Blue is a licensed clinical addiction and substance abuse specialty counselor who has been in the mental health and human services field since 2003. Felipe is currently located in Durham, NC and specializes in diagnosing and treating addiction along with other addiction-related mental health illnesses. He is certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), Psychotherapy, and Eclectic Therapy. Alongside his counseling, he is also a writer, podcast host, and a media director. You can find him at MisterBlue.net and MoreThanTherapy.org

Have you ever thought that you were under-qualified for a job offer you received and only got the job because you “got lucky?” Or have you ever felt like a fraud after graduating from college because you believed that you do not deserve your academic achievements? Either way, there is a term to define this. This term is Imposter Syndrome. 

Imposter syndrome is the dreaded feeling of not being worthy of your successes and feeling like you are less competent than you actually are. Most of the time, imposter syndrome rides on the back of academic or professional success, however, it can be seen in all aspects of our lives. 

How Do I Know I’m Experiencing Imposter Syndrome?

Felipe Blue, a licensed addictions specialist and counselor, says that you are experiencing imposter syndrome when “you start feeling not good enough or that you are not in the right place [as a clinician]”. These feelings are often formed by work, school, or even outside influences such as the heavy presence of social media. 

Social media, while having created an increased awareness of imposter syndrome, also attributes heavily to it. You might be scrolling through social media feeds and see people on lavish vacations and driving nice cars which can make you feel as if you are not in the right place in life. 

What Creates Imposter Syndrome and Am I More Likely to Have it Compared to Someone Else?

Felipe Blue observes that he has seen a lot of first generation Americans struggling with Imposter Syndrome, as he was born in Haiti and is a first generation American himself. He says that:

“People who come to the United States from other cultures and countries can experience imposter syndrome because of the different ways of learning and others can be non-empathetic towards them because they do not fit the American norm”. 

Communities that the United States deems as impoverished or disenfranchised are more likely to experience imposter syndrome as well, noted by Felipe. Social systems that hurt groups of people can create self-doubt within these groups because of what has been embedded in them since their youth and how they have been programmed to think according to the United States. 

Sometimes not taking people’s approach into perspective as well creates imposter syndrome. Many people have disagreeing opinions, that is simply a part of being human. However, we need to make sure that we are actively listening and trying to understand where others are coming from in order to help lessen the prevalence of imposter syndrome. 

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome or Adversity

Felipe explains that the best way to help manage the stress and self-doubt that comes with experiencing imposter syndrome is

“Having a good support system or cohort… being able to bounce ideas off an empowerment circle and having a village to support.”

Surrounding ourselves with positive influences who want to see us succeed but will also give honest opinions and feedback is key to overcoming this syndrome.

Felipe also recommends speaking with a counselor or a coach depending on your feelings towards doing so, as most of the time people with imposter syndrome are doing better than the others surrounding them either in their personal or professional life that they might be comparing themselves to. 

Imposter syndrome can be experienced by anyone, both professionally as well as socially. Social media and other outside influences can also increase the prevalence of imposter syndrome, which is why it is vital to recognize the signs of self-doubt and use surrounding resources to help overcome these feelings or worries. As Felipe suggested, use the support of loved ones around you or even reach out to a mental health professional if needed.

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