Imposter Phenomenon - Staying on Track in Grad School Series

Do you sometimes wonder if you belong in grad school?  Do you worry others will question whether you are smart enough to be in and complete your program? Do you ruminate about a less than perfect performance? Are you uncomfortable with praise and recognition for your achievements?

Facilitated by staff from UBC Counselling Services, this workshop focuses on understanding and managing the feelings of imposter phenomenon.

Session goals include:

• Develop a common understanding of Imposter Phenomenon
• Identify how thoughts & feelings of Imposter Phenomenon impact our lives in graduate school
• Learn strategies to manage Imposter Phenomenon
• Know where to turn for support & resources to deal with Imposter Phenomenon
• Connect with your peers & know that you are not alone in feeling this way

This session is part of the Staying on Track Series: A 5-part framework to make change stick for good.

Please note sessions in this series will not be recorded. Slides and resources will be posted following each session.

We are living at a time when there is no shortage of information at your fingertips for how you could be taking better care of yourself or working towards your goals. But the problem with change is rarely a case of not knowing what to do. The real challenge many of us face is doing the things that would improve our well-being or progress towards our goal with realistic planning, strategies that work, and consistency. In other words, there is a gap between knowing and doing.

In this series you will learn a few key skill sets that, when applied, will help you take better care of yourself and work towards your goals with greater consistency and ease.  Although the sessions work together, they can be attended independently. Please come prepared to discuss these topics with other students (breakout rooms may be used), and engage in personal reflection. You may wish to have paper and a pen ready for these reflections.

Past sessions:

• January 28th, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: Organizational Habits and the Keys to Consistency
• February 4th, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Waiting for Motivation? Do This Instead!
• February 26th, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM: Self-Care Strategies for Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout
• March 18th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: The Practice of Realignment, or, Getting Unstuck

Facilitators

Kelly Lyons (she/her) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor working as a Wellness Advisor with UBC’s Counselling Services. Kelly graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master of Arts, Sport Psychology and then pursued a Master of Education, Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. Kelly’s clinical interests include sport performance, survivors of sexualized violence, career development, and supporting students navigate transitions. 

Kyla Brophy (she/her) is a pre-doctoral intern at UBC Counselling Services, where she offers individual and group counselling. She is a PhD Candidate in Counselling Psychology at McGill University, with research focused on self-compassion, emotion regulation, and mental health. Before doctoral studies, Kyla worked in the non-profit sector on education and social justice initiatives, and in tertiary healthcare supporting youth with chronic illnesses.