Episode 39- Finding Your People: Imposter Syndrome, Trusting Your Gut, and the Community That Makes You Whole

Ever had that nagging feeling that you're not quite good enough - even when the evidence says otherwise? This week, Kylie gets honest about something that came up in real time: imposter syndrome in the helping professions. And if you've ever quietly wondered whether you truly belong in this work, this one is for you.Imposter syndrome isn't new - the term emerged in the 1970s, originally observed in high-achieving women - but its grip on those in caring and helping professions runs especially deep. Unlike a builder who can point to a house they've constructed, therapists and practitioners can't always show tangible proof of their work. The work lives in the room, in the relationship, in the story of a child who finally feels safe enough to play. That invisibility, combined with the deeply personal nature of the work, creates the perfect conditions for self-doubt to take root.Kylie unpacks two distinct voices that fuel imposter syndrome: the inner critic - that familiar, often long-standing voice that whispers you shouldn't be here and the outer chorus, the hum of external expectations, comparisons, and professional pressures that can quietly shape how we see ourselves. Both feel real. Both can be damaging. But here's the thing: neither of them gets to be the final word on who you are.Drawing from her own 11 years in child-centered play therapy, Kylie walks through what it actually looks like to move through imposter syndrome - not by silencing the doubt, but by getting crystal clear on your values. What do you genuinely believe about how children heal? What do you want to be known for at the end of your career? What makes you feel most alive in this work? When you lead from those answers, the outer chorus starts to lose its power.And then there's community. Kylie makes the case - strongly - that finding your people is one of the most protective factors in your entire career. Isolation feeds imposter syndrome. Connection quietens it. Whether you're just starting out and feeling overwhelmed, or you're further along and still navigating moments of self-doubt (because yes, it doesn't just go away), your community exists. The practitioners who see you, believe in you, and want you to flourish. they're out there, and often, they're looking for you too.This episode is a little different in flavour. It's reflective, honest, and came straight from the heart. But sometimes the unplanned episodes are the ones that land the hardest.If today has been a tough one, if you've been questioning where you belong or whether you're enough, this episode is your reminder that the answer is yes. You are enough. Your path is valid and your community is waiting.In this episode:What imposter syndrome is and where the term originally came fromWhy the helping professions are particularly vulnerable to self-doubtThe inner critic vs. the outer chorus and how to tell the differenceWhy your values are your most powerful anchorReflective questions to help you get clear on what matters most to youWhy community is your greatest professional protective factor against burnout and imposter syndromeHow to recognise the right community when you find itA reminder for every early-career practitioner feeling lost: your people existPlay Therapy Circle drops every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen. Follow along so you never miss an episode, and come find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. If you're looking for your community, Kylie's free Circle community is open - check the socials for details.