We covered imposter syndrome wayyy back when the podcast started in 2021 - it's time for a revisit now that we're older and... wiser? Bron is joined by Marie to share new thoughts and research on how imposter syndrome affects early career mental health workers, how feelings of self-doubt can both hinder and help, how workplace environments play a significant role in fueling imposter syndrome, and what helps to reduce imposter feelings. If you've ever felt like an imposter, this episode is for you!

Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family & Couples Therapist at The Therapy Hub

LINKS
"Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome" by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey
Research article: "They will discover I’m a fraud!" The Impostor Syndrome Among Psychology Students (2021) (spoiler: 56.15% of study participants experienced high and intense impostor syndrome 😱)
Research article: Are You Better Than Me? Competitive Work Climates Fuel Impostorism via Upward Social Comparisons (2025)
Marie's original episode on Imposter Syndrome on the Inside Social Work Podcast
This Complex Life - Marie's podcast where she delves into the messiness of wellbeing and relationships.
Connect with Marie on LinkedIn

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career mental health workers about working in mental health. Hosted by Psychologist/Researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar land.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a clinical or non-clinical relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

We covered imposter syndrome wayyy back when the podcast started in 2021 - it's time for a revisit now that we're older and... wiser? Bron is joined by Marie to share new thoughts and research on how imposter syndrome affects early career mental health workers, how feelings of self-doubt can both hinder and help, how workplace environments play a significant role in fueling imposter syndrome, and what helps to reduce imposter feelings. If you've ever felt like an imposter, this episode is for you!
Guest: Marie Vakakis, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (MHSW), and Family &amp; Couples Therapist at <a href="https://thetherapyhub.com.au/">The Therapy Hub</a>
LINKS
<ul>
<li><a href="https://hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome">"Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome"</a> by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey</li>
<li>Research article: <a href="https://www.sav.sk/index.php?lang=sk&amp;amp;doc=journal-list&amp;amp;part=article_response_page&amp;amp;journal_article_no=27302">"They will discover I&rsquo;m a fraud!" The Impostor Syndrome Among Psychology Students (2021)</a> (spoiler: 56.15% of study participants experienced high and intense impostor syndrome 😱)</li>
<li>Research article:&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/19485506251348803">Are You Better Than Me? Competitive Work Climates Fuel Impostorism via Upward Social Comparisons (2025)</a></li>
<li>Marie's original episode on Imposter Syndrome on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxu51y4P7PY">Inside Social Work Podcast</a></li>
<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/19N3wtZlpJTiBjJit2zqap">This Complex Life</a> - Marie's podcast where she delves into the messiness of wellbeing and relationships.</li>
<li>Connect with Marie on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-vakakis-a2b245144/">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
THE END BITS
Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career mental health workers about working in mental health. Hosted by Psychologist/Researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar land.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a clinical or non-clinical relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

A closer look at the everyday challenges faced by early-career mental health workers, so they don’t have to go it alone.

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