Overview:
The imposter phenomenon is the persistent experience of feeling like a fraud, despite clear evidence of competence and success. Individuals experiencing impostorism often believe that others have overestimated their abilities and fear being exposed—feelings that are especially common among those from historically marginalized groups.
While traditional interventions have focused on building confidence or disputing negative self-talk, emerging research suggests these strategies may be insufficient or even counterproductive. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based, transdiagnostic approach, provides a flexible alternative by helping individuals build psychological flexibility—the ability to pursue meaningful goals even in the presence of self-doubt and difficult emotions.
In this skills-focused training, Dr. Jill Stoddard introduces six core ACT processes—present moment awareness, willingness, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action and shows how they can be used to help clients (and clinicians themselves) navigate imposter experiences more effectively. Participants will engage in experiential exercises, case discussions, and practical applications to support lasting therapeutic change.
Objectives:
- Define the imposter phenomenon and distinguish it from clinical diagnoses.
- Identify five common subtypes of imposter experiences and their psychological features.
- Explain contributing factors to the development of imposterism, including the impact of social and cultural marginalization.
- Apply core ACT processes, such as willingness and cognitive defusion, to clinical work with clients experiencing imposter-related thoughts and emotions.
Implement values clarification and committed action strategies to support clients in developing psychological flexibility and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Limitations:
While ACT is supported by empirical research for a variety of mental health concerns, this course does not provide training in full-model ACT delivery. Imposter phenomenon is not a formal DSM diagnosis, and treatment should be individualized.
Commercial Disclosure:
Dr. Jill Stoddard receives royalties from The Big Book of ACT Metaphors and Be Mighty, both published by New Harbinger Publications, and for her book Imposter No More, published by Hachette. These books may be referenced during the presentation but not promoted and are not required for purchase. Additionally, Dr. Stoddard receives royalties from E Care Behavioral Health Institute for this recorded webinar. No other relevant financial relationships with commercial interests exist.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Jill Stoddard, Ph.D
Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance (New Harbinger Publications); and the upcoming Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career (Balance Books). Her writing has also appeared in Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and a disobedient French Bulldog.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course.  ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.Â

Psychologists — American Psychological Association (APA)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
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