The Imposter Phenomenon, now often called Imposter Syndrome, is the persistent belief that one is not as clever, qualified, capable, talented or as cool as other people think they are, despite evidence to the contrary. Accomplishments are attributed to external factors—like luck or help from others. It’s feeling like a fraud and living with the fear of being exposed as one. These beliefs lead to increased stress and anxiety, reduced confidence, and avoidance of risk, including meeting new people, applying for a job, or seeking a promotion. The purpose of this presentation is threefold: 1) describe what it feels like to “have imposter syndrome,” and discuss its prevalence among diverse populations, 2) to examine external (e.g., systemic oppression, tokenism) and internal (e.g., internalized isms, stereotype threat) sources of the thoughts and feelings that drive this phenomenon, and 3) identify strategies that foster empowerment and resilience, promote self-assurance, and deplete the hindering effects of imposter syndrome by using psychological tenets and practices.

Podcast Episode Description: Is planning your day-to-day life the key to better mental health? Join us as we sit down with Anabel, a dynamic 23-year-old aspiring clinical psychologist, to explore this intriguing idea. Anabel shares her inspiring journey, rooted in her academic studies at UCSB in Biopsychology and Applied Psychology, and the vital role her mentor played in shaping her understanding of positive psychology, mindfulness, and journaling. As an only child of Iranian immigrants, Anabel's story is one of self-discovery and resourcefulness, a testament to how personal background can drive professional aspirations. We also dive into the creation of ROOTS, a life planner designed to boost mental well-being and daily functionality. Anabel discusses the hurdles and triumphs of transforming her passion project into a practical tool for others, the significance of community support, and the power of intuition. Learn how planners and journals can shift from being mundane tasks to empowering exercises in self-care. This episode champions the idea that self-reflection, goal-setting, and a holistic approach to education and career planning are essential elements of personal development. Join us for an engaging conversation that underscores the importance of acting now and leading by example in the pursuit of mental wellness.

Flourishing and experiencing life's difficulties are not mutually exclusive. The circumstances of our lives bring a mixture of experiences and reactions to those experiences. Cultivating the dimensions of flourishing can help you and your clients "cope ahead, and be more fully resourced.

The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the audience to the concept of flourishing and to define and describe Seligman's PERMA model of flourishing.

Research will also be presented that supports Seligman's primary hypothesis that cultivating PERMA promotes human flourishing in psychotherapy and everyday life. The presentation includes a cultural critique of the literature which, though international, displays an implicit bias towards a focus on populations from highly westernized countries.

The most important relationship you have is with yourself. So how do we work to strengthen and maintain this relationship? 

The way that we can do that is through knowledge of positive psychology, the theories behind it, and the practices to implement in your daily life to create a positive environment for your future and growth. 

Date of Presentation: Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Alpha Delta Pi